My career plan is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  The population I would like to work with is women with Perinatal Mood Disorders or substance abuse. My Human Services internship will begin in January 2020 with the Intensive Outpatient Program at the Farley Center. The internship will be working with adults over the age of 18 with substance use disorders.  After I graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services in Fall 2020, I will enter a Master’s Program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. There, I will get my degree to one day become an LPC.

During my Graduate Practicum & Internship, my goal is to intern at the South-Eastern Family Project in Newport News, Virginia. SEFP is a residential treatment center for women with a substance use disorder who are pregnant or parenting. I would love to work with women who are addicted and with the family system overall. I would like to be a listening ear for the many women who have experienced trauma in their lives and who need someone there for them- with no judgement.. My goal would to be encourage self-growth, self-efficacy, an active recovery, and secure bonding with their infant. I would want the women to be linked to resources the area and have a strong support network to foster their growth and recovery. It takes a village… especially with a new baby in the picture, and I want to help women create that village for themselves.

After graduating with my master’s degree, I hope to work with an agency or practice that works with women with perinatal mood disorders.

I would like to become professionally trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I plan on working on continuing education in the following areas: Postpartum Support International, and Zero to Three.

Ten years from now, I would like to be providing therapeutic services at a inpatient or outpatient program for post-partum women, such as The Swedish Center for Perinatal Bonding and Support in Seattle, Washington.  Or, if possible,  I would like to have my own practice to help women (and even men), and families in the area.