Hey everyone!
I just wanted to know how everyone was doing! I wish everyone would start writing in this but I know everyone is busy with school and work. Please write when you get the chance though, I miss you all very much!
I just started working as a Residence Counselor in Kingston, NY for Mental Health Association of Ulster County. So far so good!
I want to hear about school and work, please share!
<3Amy
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
finally got a job!!!
hey guys!!!!
i just had to share the good news of finally being able to put my college education to use!! i got two new jobs this week!!!! the first one is p/t and kind of weird. i'm working as an environmental regulation/compliance coordinator for a small oil distribution company. weird, i know, but whatever it's a job.
the second one is awesome. i'll be working f/t as a transitional coach for a group home serving adolescent girls. it's an awesome agency that's all about social services and meeting needs, so i'll def be putting my social work skills to good use!!
just thought i would share. hope everyone else is enjoying their summers. i miss you all!
love, kelsea
i just had to share the good news of finally being able to put my college education to use!! i got two new jobs this week!!!! the first one is p/t and kind of weird. i'm working as an environmental regulation/compliance coordinator for a small oil distribution company. weird, i know, but whatever it's a job.
the second one is awesome. i'll be working f/t as a transitional coach for a group home serving adolescent girls. it's an awesome agency that's all about social services and meeting needs, so i'll def be putting my social work skills to good use!!
just thought i would share. hope everyone else is enjoying their summers. i miss you all!
love, kelsea
Monday, June 22, 2009
working with people in your own age range...
Hey guys! This summer at Alternatives has been very interesting so far! I have come to see how difficult it is to set boundaries with clients who are similar in some way to myself. I'm working with a 18 year old guy, 20 year old girl and 25 year old guy. The 20 year old girl, I must say, is the most difficult to set a clear cut boundary with. She is quite vulgar yet hilarious. She says exactly what is on her mind in the most nasty way possible (sometimes I think she is just trying to get a rise out of me!). So sometimes she will say something that I should definitely disapprove of, but her presentation of it is so ridiculous that I can't help but smirk. Example: *NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED ;-)
We are the rep-payee for Vikki* because a psychologist has determined that she is unable to manage her own money. While she does have her own say about her money, we can suggest as much as we want. Vikki recently received a stimulus check and my supervisor said "Really try as hard as you can to convince her not to take the whole thing out at once, I heard that she has been smoking pot every day and just let her know that we are concerned if that is where her money is going. Also if she says she wants to do certain things with the money, try to go with her"
Amy: Alright so I know that you said that you wanted the entire stimulus check...
Vikki: Yes, you are giving me the entire stimulus check.
Amy: $250 is a lot of money to have in one week. What about taking out a little bit extra each week, like $50, then when you really need or want the money for something specific, you will have it.
Vikki: I have specific things that I want. I want it all, NOW!
Amy: What are these specific things?
Vikki: I'm going to get my hair cut and colored, buy shoes for my boyfriends sister, buy my boyfriend an outfit, get some new clothes, I owe my boyfriends dad some money.
Amy: Oh, you want new clothes, how about I take you to the store sometime this week then.
Vikki: HAHA! No. I'm going with my boyfriend.
Amy: Well I have to tell you that we have heard that you have been smoking pot everyday and we are concerned.
Vikki: HAHAHAHHAHAHAA!!!! Well let me tell you, you guys don't need to worry about me spending my money on that, I get my marijuana FOR FREE!!! HAHAHAHA!
the delivery of that statement was so impossible not to smirk at. That same day she asked me "Are you a hippy?" What do I say to that? lol
I shared this next part with some of you already.
She was talking about her boyfriend, I forget exactly about what but I accidently blurted out, "Oh yeah, my boyfriend does that too"
Vikki: You have a boyfriend? I had pinned you as a lesbian!
Amy: A lesbian? Why?
Vikki: I don't know you just seem like an earthy crunchy lesbian!
So if anyone of you can tell me what crunchy means, please let me know!!!!
<3Amy
We are the rep-payee for Vikki* because a psychologist has determined that she is unable to manage her own money. While she does have her own say about her money, we can suggest as much as we want. Vikki recently received a stimulus check and my supervisor said "Really try as hard as you can to convince her not to take the whole thing out at once, I heard that she has been smoking pot every day and just let her know that we are concerned if that is where her money is going. Also if she says she wants to do certain things with the money, try to go with her"
Amy: Alright so I know that you said that you wanted the entire stimulus check...
Vikki: Yes, you are giving me the entire stimulus check.
Amy: $250 is a lot of money to have in one week. What about taking out a little bit extra each week, like $50, then when you really need or want the money for something specific, you will have it.
Vikki: I have specific things that I want. I want it all, NOW!
Amy: What are these specific things?
Vikki: I'm going to get my hair cut and colored, buy shoes for my boyfriends sister, buy my boyfriend an outfit, get some new clothes, I owe my boyfriends dad some money.
Amy: Oh, you want new clothes, how about I take you to the store sometime this week then.
Vikki: HAHA! No. I'm going with my boyfriend.
Amy: Well I have to tell you that we have heard that you have been smoking pot everyday and we are concerned.
Vikki: HAHAHAHHAHAHAA!!!! Well let me tell you, you guys don't need to worry about me spending my money on that, I get my marijuana FOR FREE!!! HAHAHAHA!
the delivery of that statement was so impossible not to smirk at. That same day she asked me "Are you a hippy?" What do I say to that? lol
I shared this next part with some of you already.
She was talking about her boyfriend, I forget exactly about what but I accidently blurted out, "Oh yeah, my boyfriend does that too"
Vikki: You have a boyfriend? I had pinned you as a lesbian!
Amy: A lesbian? Why?
Vikki: I don't know you just seem like an earthy crunchy lesbian!
So if anyone of you can tell me what crunchy means, please let me know!!!!
<3Amy
Friday, June 12, 2009
grad party
Hey everyone!
Just a reminder, tomorrow is my grad party and I would love it if you guys could come. It really would mean soooo much to me. And we're going to the beach on sunday!!!! so get here!! hahaha i love you all.
kelsea
Just a reminder, tomorrow is my grad party and I would love it if you guys could come. It really would mean soooo much to me. And we're going to the beach on sunday!!!! so get here!! hahaha i love you all.
kelsea
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Yay!
Thanks for writing Mary! The rest of you that haven't posted should follow her lead. :)
Don't worry about having new classmates. I understand that feeling. My first day I was like "This is weird, I can't do it!" But it's really OK. Definitely not the same, but it's refreshing as well, to get perspectives not only from different people, but from different schools. I continue to believe that we went to the best BSW program (just cause I'm biased) and I continue to think "what would the morning chatters say about that?" when people say stuff that I question. Nobody will ever replace us, that's for sure, but it's kind of exciting too. Report back and let us know what the school is like!!
My classes continue to be wonderful. My teacher for HBSE introduced us to the DSM (which is the basis for the course) the other day by explaining to us the history of mental illness and the theories which, looking back, were ridiculous. She was trying to show us that we shouldn't look at the DSM as a bible for our profession by any means because it is absolutely not set in stone, and is still very much theoretical even though most professionals fail to recognize that. It was cool to hear about how much has changed since she was in grad. school in the 80s, and how we view different diagnoses today vs. then. There used to be a diagnosis for homosexuals, and now there isn't, but there is still a gender identity disorder of some sort that I can't recall the exact name of right now. It's so exciting to think of how much things will change throughout our career, although sort of discouraging also because we're spending so much on an education right now, haha.
Ok I'll stop now. Write more, lovers! I miss you all so much! <3 xoxo
Marcia
Don't worry about having new classmates. I understand that feeling. My first day I was like "This is weird, I can't do it!" But it's really OK. Definitely not the same, but it's refreshing as well, to get perspectives not only from different people, but from different schools. I continue to believe that we went to the best BSW program (just cause I'm biased) and I continue to think "what would the morning chatters say about that?" when people say stuff that I question. Nobody will ever replace us, that's for sure, but it's kind of exciting too. Report back and let us know what the school is like!!
My classes continue to be wonderful. My teacher for HBSE introduced us to the DSM (which is the basis for the course) the other day by explaining to us the history of mental illness and the theories which, looking back, were ridiculous. She was trying to show us that we shouldn't look at the DSM as a bible for our profession by any means because it is absolutely not set in stone, and is still very much theoretical even though most professionals fail to recognize that. It was cool to hear about how much has changed since she was in grad. school in the 80s, and how we view different diagnoses today vs. then. There used to be a diagnosis for homosexuals, and now there isn't, but there is still a gender identity disorder of some sort that I can't recall the exact name of right now. It's so exciting to think of how much things will change throughout our career, although sort of discouraging also because we're spending so much on an education right now, haha.
Ok I'll stop now. Write more, lovers! I miss you all so much! <3 xoxo
Marcia
hi everyone!!
hi everyone!!
I'm awful with blogs I don't really know how they work sooo I'm going to give this a try and if it ends up in a funny location I'm sorry! So I'm really starting to miss everyone too much and it's starting to sink in that I'm never going to be in class with all of you again! I'm going down to Pittsburgh tomorrow for the weekend to look at the school and I'm so nervous!! I wish I could take all of you with me, I don't know if I'm going to like having different classmates our class was just too perfect! So aside from working at the bank all day everyday that's my news!! Whats everyone else up to?
<3 Mary!!
I'm awful with blogs I don't really know how they work sooo I'm going to give this a try and if it ends up in a funny location I'm sorry! So I'm really starting to miss everyone too much and it's starting to sink in that I'm never going to be in class with all of you again! I'm going down to Pittsburgh tomorrow for the weekend to look at the school and I'm so nervous!! I wish I could take all of you with me, I don't know if I'm going to like having different classmates our class was just too perfect! So aside from working at the bank all day everyday that's my news!! Whats everyone else up to?
<3 Mary!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
The fun has begun.
So my orientation went well, all 8 hours of it. I sort of felt like the point of advanced standing was that we had all already done process recordings, had supervisors, and understood the purpose of our internships, but apparently we needed to hear it again. Oh and then they had the one security guard from our small downtown campus come in to tell us about how unsafe the area is, and I was SURE that when I walked out to my car it was going to be broken into. Luckily it wasn't. I guess I will be buying some pepper spray though.
So I had my internship interview yesterday with a very sweet, probably ~30 year old LCSW-R at Capital District Psychiatric Center in Schenectady which is an outpatient clinic. The area it is located in is SO beautiful! My soon-to-be supervisor was very sweet, and I told her a bit about how less-than-supportive my last sup. was so she said that she will do whatever she can to be more supportive and give me a better experience. She said I can basically decide what I want to do in the agency, and that there is a recent push to treat people who are addicted/abusing substances and that makes me excited cause I know so much more about it after being at Daytop. I think I'll prob. run a women's only co-occuring disorders group which will be very fun.
I had one class so far, HBSE II and honestly loved it. (I know, it's hard to believe) but the teacher is so wonderful and engaging and is so passionate and enthusiastic about the material, it just makes you want to go volunteer after class. haha.
Ok, I'll stop now. Sorry I wrote a book, but you should prob. get used to it.
What is everyone else up to? So happy to hear from Amy and Kels!
Joannie, when do you move to MD, and Melis, have you seen any more celebs at the spa? I swear if John Mayer shows up there you BETTER get me an autograph or something! :-P
Love you all!
-Marcia xoxoxoxoxo
So I had my internship interview yesterday with a very sweet, probably ~30 year old LCSW-R at Capital District Psychiatric Center in Schenectady which is an outpatient clinic. The area it is located in is SO beautiful! My soon-to-be supervisor was very sweet, and I told her a bit about how less-than-supportive my last sup. was so she said that she will do whatever she can to be more supportive and give me a better experience. She said I can basically decide what I want to do in the agency, and that there is a recent push to treat people who are addicted/abusing substances and that makes me excited cause I know so much more about it after being at Daytop. I think I'll prob. run a women's only co-occuring disorders group which will be very fun.
I had one class so far, HBSE II and honestly loved it. (I know, it's hard to believe) but the teacher is so wonderful and engaging and is so passionate and enthusiastic about the material, it just makes you want to go volunteer after class. haha.
Ok, I'll stop now. Sorry I wrote a book, but you should prob. get used to it.
What is everyone else up to? So happy to hear from Amy and Kels!
Joannie, when do you move to MD, and Melis, have you seen any more celebs at the spa? I swear if John Mayer shows up there you BETTER get me an autograph or something! :-P
Love you all!
-Marcia xoxoxoxoxo
Thursday, May 28, 2009
job interview
Hey everyone! I had a job interview today at the public health agency in my town. It went pretty well, we'll see what happens. I would be doing community awareness and outreach work, and also some secretarial work. It's not exactly what I want to be doing... but I guess it's a start if I get it.
Oh and I just found out yesterday that I have been officially nominated for the Peace Corps!! I'm one step closer! I should find out for certain mid summer hopefully!
Hope everyone is doing well, I miss you all horribly...
Can't wait for Joan's grad party on Saturday!!
Love,
Kelsea
Oh and I just found out yesterday that I have been officially nominated for the Peace Corps!! I'm one step closer! I should find out for certain mid summer hopefully!
Hope everyone is doing well, I miss you all horribly...
Can't wait for Joan's grad party on Saturday!!
Love,
Kelsea
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
FRIENDS!
Dearest Cohort,
I miss and love you all. First of all, I am very excited about Mr. Bloggy! Now we can all chat...in the morning...ON THE INTERNET! (and in the evening if we want!) I am looking forward to hearing about SUNY Albany, Marcia. I might like to go there some day.
So I'm doing the Alternatives Unlimited, Inc thing again this summer. I can already tell it is going to be interesting. I will be working with about 4 clients under the age of 25. I will see each of them 2 or 3 times per week. One volunteers in a pet shop called Pets Plus. I met a hedgehog and bearded dragon yesterday! Another goes to the hospital a lot for suicidal ideation :-( I think I'm going to be learning a lot this summer. Now that I have my bsw I feel like I want to get even more out of it and learn as much as I possibly can. We'll see how that goes....
I also really want to hear about Ashley's job. Ashley if you are reading this you better write something about it!!!
<3 AMY
I miss and love you all. First of all, I am very excited about Mr. Bloggy! Now we can all chat...in the morning...ON THE INTERNET! (and in the evening if we want!) I am looking forward to hearing about SUNY Albany, Marcia. I might like to go there some day.
So I'm doing the Alternatives Unlimited, Inc thing again this summer. I can already tell it is going to be interesting. I will be working with about 4 clients under the age of 25. I will see each of them 2 or 3 times per week. One volunteers in a pet shop called Pets Plus. I met a hedgehog and bearded dragon yesterday! Another goes to the hospital a lot for suicidal ideation :-( I think I'm going to be learning a lot this summer. Now that I have my bsw I feel like I want to get even more out of it and learn as much as I possibly can. We'll see how that goes....
I also really want to hear about Ashley's job. Ashley if you are reading this you better write something about it!!!
<3 AMY
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
WOO! Our blog!
So morning chatters, here it is. It's crazy to think that this will now be our primary source of communication, but it will be OK. I'm too tired to talk about orientation today, but I will write more later. Love you all!
-Marcia
-Marcia
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