I had a meeting with my faculty advisor this week and I am feeling so relieved now. I no longer feel confused or conflicted about my field of practice (or area of focus) for next year.
My advisor was most helpful in asking me questions to help me clarify what I am seeking in next year’s placement as well as in providing me with guidance on the various gaps/skills that I would want to make sure that I have in my portfolio before graduating and which specific agency type settings are likely to encourage the development of skills in my areas of interest.
In a nutshell, I will be requesting an internship at an outpatient mental health facility. In this manner, I am likely to have the opportunity to begin to conduct psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with adult patients with a variety of diagnoses. In addition, I will be able to garner experience in putting together intakes, assessments and biopsychosocials, and being part of an interdisciplinary treatment team.
Now, I just have to make a minor tweak or two to my resume before submitting all the paperwork to my field placement office. Then the ball will be in the field placement office’s court, so to speak…
Photo credit: NASW
