Access to mental health support for children can be extremely challenging. As we all know, mental health services are not cheap. And it tends to be the families with the least resources that struggle the most to find the money to pay for such services. Thankfully many school psychologists are trained and comfortable providing services like this. Sometimes there is a school social worker who would also be a good resource for these students, especially the younger ones.
As the students become older (6th grade and above) they tend to isolate themselves more. It becomes more challenging for them to reach out at all if they are in need. Sometimes just the real face-to-face part of it makes it completely aversive. Luckily, we are finally living in a time where mental health services can be accessible through a mobile phone or computer. It is a new way of practicing mental health so many are skeptical and options are limited, however, I have firsthand experience that it is absolutely perfect for people like myself.
I personally have significant issues with anxiety and I am currently a stay-at-home mother so my schedule is not my own. When I return to the workforce it would not be likely to change in that aspect. I am no longer in need of counseling, but I really love that this option is available to me now.
I was a skeptic. I wondered how someone could possibly provide therapeutic services without seeing and observing during a session. And in some respect, those things can be lost, making the therapeutic process a bit more challenging. Many of the services offer a video chat or messaging services, which can be extremely helpful in times where emotions are high and typing would be cumbersome. My skepticism faded very quickly. It can be extremely helpful to be able to message your counselor as things are happening. I didn't have to wait a whole week or so and try to remember everything I wanted to talk about. The somewhat immediate feedback also helped me implement strategies quickly and more effectively because that waiting period didn't exist. I could show my face or remain fairly anonymous. It honestly provided me with a sense of more control than the traditional set up for therapy.
I bring this up because our youth will only become more reliant on technology to provide services. And it is our job to try to meet them where they are comfortable enough to share. This might mean having an open door policy, providing therapeutic supports in the school setting, or (if parents are willing and able to pay) using virtual counseling.
TalkSpace was the one I went with. The prices for what you were able to get out of it were the most reasonable for me. I did a lot of research on these and this one also had the best reviews. At the time there were approximately three options. There are likely more now as this begins to catch on. But don't hesitate to do your research and find options that might work for your students. This could be a resource that changes their life.
Showing posts with label school psychology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school psychology. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2016
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Experiences of the Unexperienced
Lately, I've been really frustrated. I've felt defeated and unheard. I've battled with myself on "ethics & morals" versus "what is right or wrong simply as it is defined by law." I'm realizing the extent of my naivety. I once thought that professionals actually had ethics, believed in them, and followed them like personal law. Ethics is stressed so much in our training programs. I just assumed that people really believed in doing what is right. I have found myself in many moments of a "reality check" related to this issue. The reality is that people like me are the minority. Granted, I've only been working in one place so far. So, I'm just hoping that it's not as bad in other places. I'm hoping that not all the world is corrupt and heartless.
Another realization I've come to lately is that people working in a helping profession feel helpless a lot more than I had anticipated. As our economy continues to implode and people continue to lose their jobs, the stress of it all trickles down to the children. Then those children go to school feeling angry, helpless, sad, and confused. Some parents are at least helpful enough to make an effort in the home environment to help their children but most are not. It is a hard reality to face when we can only do as much as we can while we have these children a few hours a day, then they go home and we start all over again the following day. It takes a lot of courage and perseverance to keep on keeping on in this field of work. Sometimes at the end of the day, once I'm alone, I cry. It's all I can do to put on a happy face for these children. They need that more than anything. They need someone who will always be super excited to see them; give them high fives, hugs, and unconditional positive regard. But sometimes I have to pull them out of a dark place or calm them from a rage. This is both physically and emotionally exhausting and it's all I can do to not break down crying in front of them. It hurts me to see such little children be in so much emotional turmoil. It's just not right, they shouldn't have to deal with the things they have to deal with. But I keep doing what I do because the little successes are so powerful. I keep doing it because I could never be content sitting idly by watching people suffer. I have to do something even if all it is is making a someone smile.
I love my job, don't get me wrong. I absolutely wouldn't want to do anything else. But there are a lot more challenges to this than I thought. I'm learning every single day. I love that too, but sometimes it's a hard lesson I have to learn.
I've also decided that I will start closing each blog with a profound quote. Words of others often provide me with comfort and inspiration. By sharing them I hope someone else finds inspiration and comfort as well.
“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
At the End of Each Day I Leave With a Sigh and a Hope In My Heart That I Did My Very Best
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
I find myself returning to this quote for comfort time and time again. It reminds me that I need to take a minute to realize that I am doing the best that I can and the best that I can is good enough...right?
This year has already been very draining and it's barely even got started. I am working more closely with the ED/BD self-contained classroom and we just got a new student in there a week or so ago. It's been hard. He has been diagnosed with juvenile bi-polar disorder. I've never really worked with anyone who is like him. He's such a wonderful and imaginative little guy, but can switch into a fit of rage and fury in an instant. I don't even have to be in the classroom all day and it drains me. It's not really physically draining, although at times it can be, but more emotionally draining because I know these kids all have troubles and trauma. I want to do so much to help them, but sometimes I feel like there's really nothing I can do or I just can't do enough.
Sometimes this job can be so taxing, but I still love it.
I find myself returning to this quote for comfort time and time again. It reminds me that I need to take a minute to realize that I am doing the best that I can and the best that I can is good enough...right?
This year has already been very draining and it's barely even got started. I am working more closely with the ED/BD self-contained classroom and we just got a new student in there a week or so ago. It's been hard. He has been diagnosed with juvenile bi-polar disorder. I've never really worked with anyone who is like him. He's such a wonderful and imaginative little guy, but can switch into a fit of rage and fury in an instant. I don't even have to be in the classroom all day and it drains me. It's not really physically draining, although at times it can be, but more emotionally draining because I know these kids all have troubles and trauma. I want to do so much to help them, but sometimes I feel like there's really nothing I can do or I just can't do enough.
Sometimes this job can be so taxing, but I still love it.
Monday, August 1, 2011
We've Got To Have Goals
As we embark on the 2011-2012 school year I would hope many, if not all of you, are thinking about what you want to get out of it. Regardless of what you're doing or where you are it's good to have some idea of what you want to accomplish in a year even if it's something as small as remembering to pick up your dirty clothes every day...or week...for some it could be every month! But I digress. The point here is that each year I have some idea of what I want to accomplish. Last year as an intern it was things like:
Some of my fears were things like, "Did I do enough for this child?" "Could we have done more?" "Did we make the right decision?" and of course "Do people like me?" I think those fears will probably stick with me throughout my practice. At least I hope they do. I do this job to make a difference in the lives of others (hopefully a positive difference) and if I didn't worry about those things I probably wouldn't be serving my students the way they deserve to be served. The one about people liking me though...well that's debatable. As an intern you do want that. You want everyone to like you and be nice because, well, let's face it, we're scared and fragile little graduate students who are rummaging in unknown territory. There's a lot to learn in the first year and that in and of itself can be downright petrifying. But do we need people to like us? I'm not sure I have a solid answer for you yet. I'll most likely get back to you on that. The reason being is that one of my goals for this next year is to learn to be the bad guy. I'm not looking forward to it really. For some reason it's hard for me to tell people the critical truth even if I do say it as nicely as I possibly can. Fact is I'm telling them something they don't want to hear and they will more than likely hold a grudge against me for it. This happened to me with a couple individuals over last school year. I tested the waters of being the bad guy, but it was easier for me with those people because I didn't really like them to begin with. So, it was easier because I didn't care if they didn't like me. I was following the law, policy, and what is best for the child. I don't bend there. They didn't like it and so I created some enemies. But lucky for them, and for me, I won't be working at their school this year (not so lucky for the students though).
This year is going to be a whole new ball game. My assignment has changed and I will now be working in only one district. This year I am going to have to take the risk of being the bad guy with people I do care about. That's going to be hard. I work very closely with some of the people I'm needing to offer constructive criticism to so there's a real fear that they can't be professional and they'll create drama, which is what happened last year. I don't like drama and not only do I find it to be extremely counterproductive, but also harmful to the potential success of our students. However, I know that unless I say something nothing will change. So, this is the pickle I am both excited and leery to see unfold over the next school year.
In the end it boils down to one realization. I've worked almost my whole life to have the power to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Now, I have it. And I must always use it with skill and grace. What a powerful and incredible avenue I've been given in this life. And it's only just begun.
I have several goals for this year even though I've really only talked about one thus far. Some goals are large and long term, others are small and easily achievable, but we must always have something to work towards. I will close with a quote that I find inspiration in every day.
"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." - Pericles
I hope someone else out there can find as much inspiration in these words as I have. Now go out in the world and do good.
- Don't cry in front of your boss
- Don't die
- Try not to look like an incompetent fool
- Be organized (still working on this one)
- Don't let fear keep you from trying something new that you might actually be good at
Some of my fears were things like, "Did I do enough for this child?" "Could we have done more?" "Did we make the right decision?" and of course "Do people like me?" I think those fears will probably stick with me throughout my practice. At least I hope they do. I do this job to make a difference in the lives of others (hopefully a positive difference) and if I didn't worry about those things I probably wouldn't be serving my students the way they deserve to be served. The one about people liking me though...well that's debatable. As an intern you do want that. You want everyone to like you and be nice because, well, let's face it, we're scared and fragile little graduate students who are rummaging in unknown territory. There's a lot to learn in the first year and that in and of itself can be downright petrifying. But do we need people to like us? I'm not sure I have a solid answer for you yet. I'll most likely get back to you on that. The reason being is that one of my goals for this next year is to learn to be the bad guy. I'm not looking forward to it really. For some reason it's hard for me to tell people the critical truth even if I do say it as nicely as I possibly can. Fact is I'm telling them something they don't want to hear and they will more than likely hold a grudge against me for it. This happened to me with a couple individuals over last school year. I tested the waters of being the bad guy, but it was easier for me with those people because I didn't really like them to begin with. So, it was easier because I didn't care if they didn't like me. I was following the law, policy, and what is best for the child. I don't bend there. They didn't like it and so I created some enemies. But lucky for them, and for me, I won't be working at their school this year (not so lucky for the students though).
This year is going to be a whole new ball game. My assignment has changed and I will now be working in only one district. This year I am going to have to take the risk of being the bad guy with people I do care about. That's going to be hard. I work very closely with some of the people I'm needing to offer constructive criticism to so there's a real fear that they can't be professional and they'll create drama, which is what happened last year. I don't like drama and not only do I find it to be extremely counterproductive, but also harmful to the potential success of our students. However, I know that unless I say something nothing will change. So, this is the pickle I am both excited and leery to see unfold over the next school year.
In the end it boils down to one realization. I've worked almost my whole life to have the power to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Now, I have it. And I must always use it with skill and grace. What a powerful and incredible avenue I've been given in this life. And it's only just begun.
I have several goals for this year even though I've really only talked about one thus far. Some goals are large and long term, others are small and easily achievable, but we must always have something to work towards. I will close with a quote that I find inspiration in every day.
"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." - Pericles
I hope someone else out there can find as much inspiration in these words as I have. Now go out in the world and do good.
Friday, July 22, 2011
So many resources!
Sometimes I feel that we limit ourselves too much to this intervention or that. Many teachers want to do as little as possible and change as little as possible about the way they are doing things. This is unfortunate, not only for the teacher, but most definitely for the students we work with. As time goes by and we begin to implement RtI in most schools an individualized education is available to just about every student. By individualizing so many student's education we can become overwhelmed. Understandable. At the same time we must recognize that as a human race, each of us are unique individuals. Given this unique person we all are, there are also many things certain groups of people may have in common such as learning style. This is where small groups come in! But again, even in small groups many teachers tend to resort to what they already know, refusing to expand their knowledge base and experience. Change can be good people!
As a School Psychologist I am constantly perusing academic research, internet resources, and the latest ideas in how to make the biggest impact for the students I work with. I share them with others and hope that they get as excited about them as I do, but most of them couldn't care less. This is disappointing, but it doesn't stop me from hoping that one day I will find the right resource for the right person, they'll try it out, it will work splendidly, and we'll all be so excited! I've come across some resources that I would really like to share.
Check them out!
- http://www.studiostudio.nl/
- http://jumpmath1.org/approach
- http://www.khanacademy.org/
- http://www.autisminternetmodules.org/
As a School Psychologist I am constantly perusing academic research, internet resources, and the latest ideas in how to make the biggest impact for the students I work with. I share them with others and hope that they get as excited about them as I do, but most of them couldn't care less. This is disappointing, but it doesn't stop me from hoping that one day I will find the right resource for the right person, they'll try it out, it will work splendidly, and we'll all be so excited! I've come across some resources that I would really like to share.
Check them out!
- http://www.studiostudio.nl/
- http://jumpmath1.org/approach
- http://www.khanacademy.org/
- http://www.autisminternetmodules.org/
Thursday, June 23, 2011
It Goes So Quickly
At the beginning of every school year I look out into the future beyond and become hopeful. All this time we have to work with, to make a difference in the lives of others. It doesn't take long for me to get to the point where I feel more like, "Eeek, This year is going by so fast!". Despite the haste of time I feel I have accomplished much in my first year. (Technically my internship...not the first year per se.)
For one thing I was far too busy to sit around and blog about my experiences all the time. That was somewhat disappointing, but at the same time tolerable because hardly anyone reads this yet anyhow. I justified my lack of blog entries with the progress I made at my job and with the kids. Oh! And I accomplished one major thing this spring...GRADUATION! Yes people it's true, I finally made it! I got my Ed. S. May 6, 2011. I finally stand on top of that mountain of time I spent being educated and am excited to jump down into the workforce of educators. And it is in Kansas where I will leave my first mark.
Now I know a lot people wish I would say, "Yes, Kansas was my destiny and I love it here." I could say that, but it would partially be untrue. I do love my job. I love the people I work with and the amazing kids who humble me and inspire me almost every single day. There is a lot to love. However, Kansas just isn't me. I'm not a country bumpkin. I miss the amenities of the city and being around people I can relate to a little bit more. I miss having friends my age and I miss my family. At the same time I feel like I've done great things here and there are so many supporters I have to thank for that. I have been lucky to have administrators go to bat for me this year. I worked in two school districts. One administrator in one of the schools was telling my coop administrators not to place me in their district next year because that person didn't want them to tear me apart (the cultural attitudes in this district are not the most positive especially towards Special Education). That person believed in me and didn't want my spirit for this job to be killed. At my other school administrators were getting on soap boxes (figuratively) to advocate for me to have a position solely in their district.
I didn't get everything I wanted out of my internship, but what I did get out of it wasn't even something I had fathomed. For so long I have been led to believe that I am worthless, stupid, can't do anything right, (thank you D.S.B.) but I found all these things to be false. People really do value what I have to offer. People really do see the passion I have for kids and this job. This is only the beginning! I am so excited to see what the future has to bring.
So this fall I will again come to the beginning of the semester with a bag full of ideas ready to kick it off as soon as possible. I will look toward the future as I try to continue making progress in areas that did not make as much last school year and I will definitely know how to better organize my schedule for meetings this time (One of those very important thing you don't learn in college). On to the "official first year"! This coming school year I start wearing some new hats as the School Psychologist for just one district. I will be serving again on the EMS Building Leadership Team and assisting that building in developing an MTSS framework for the school in the area of reading and math. I will also be able to do more mental health related tasks as I take on the leadership role for the ED Cluster Program Self-Contained Classroom. I am so excited. My job is so rewarding!
For one thing I was far too busy to sit around and blog about my experiences all the time. That was somewhat disappointing, but at the same time tolerable because hardly anyone reads this yet anyhow. I justified my lack of blog entries with the progress I made at my job and with the kids. Oh! And I accomplished one major thing this spring...GRADUATION! Yes people it's true, I finally made it! I got my Ed. S. May 6, 2011. I finally stand on top of that mountain of time I spent being educated and am excited to jump down into the workforce of educators. And it is in Kansas where I will leave my first mark.
Now I know a lot people wish I would say, "Yes, Kansas was my destiny and I love it here." I could say that, but it would partially be untrue. I do love my job. I love the people I work with and the amazing kids who humble me and inspire me almost every single day. There is a lot to love. However, Kansas just isn't me. I'm not a country bumpkin. I miss the amenities of the city and being around people I can relate to a little bit more. I miss having friends my age and I miss my family. At the same time I feel like I've done great things here and there are so many supporters I have to thank for that. I have been lucky to have administrators go to bat for me this year. I worked in two school districts. One administrator in one of the schools was telling my coop administrators not to place me in their district next year because that person didn't want them to tear me apart (the cultural attitudes in this district are not the most positive especially towards Special Education). That person believed in me and didn't want my spirit for this job to be killed. At my other school administrators were getting on soap boxes (figuratively) to advocate for me to have a position solely in their district.
I didn't get everything I wanted out of my internship, but what I did get out of it wasn't even something I had fathomed. For so long I have been led to believe that I am worthless, stupid, can't do anything right, (thank you D.S.B.) but I found all these things to be false. People really do value what I have to offer. People really do see the passion I have for kids and this job. This is only the beginning! I am so excited to see what the future has to bring.
So this fall I will again come to the beginning of the semester with a bag full of ideas ready to kick it off as soon as possible. I will look toward the future as I try to continue making progress in areas that did not make as much last school year and I will definitely know how to better organize my schedule for meetings this time (One of those very important thing you don't learn in college). On to the "official first year"! This coming school year I start wearing some new hats as the School Psychologist for just one district. I will be serving again on the EMS Building Leadership Team and assisting that building in developing an MTSS framework for the school in the area of reading and math. I will also be able to do more mental health related tasks as I take on the leadership role for the ED Cluster Program Self-Contained Classroom. I am so excited. My job is so rewarding!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Internship Hunt
I started late. All of my classmates had their internship by April. I was still interviewing. What did I learn? Don't procrastinate. Don't allow fear to keep you avoiding it. The brighter side of several interviews is practice! I had a chance to perfect my self presentation. I had a chance to build more confidence. Although the confidence level was a roller coaster ride in and of itself. I have a lot of people to thank for keeping me going. My friends and colleagues were always there to encourage me and tell me to keep going. My practicum supervisor was amazing and encouraged me a great deal. No matter how much this battle made me want to quit he convinced me not to. He believed in me so much that I had to pay attention to it. If there are so many people who believe in me....well, then why can't I believe in myself. And that made all the difference. Believing in myself got me the job I had wanted all along. By the time I got to that interview I had practiced 2 already. It went wonderful and now I am working on getting my provisional license in Kansas. I found my destination after all. This long hard road does have a light at the end.
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