Brenda McGarrity

HSP 341 Summery Paper

Learning Objectives/Learning Activities:
My first learning objective for the quarter was to become familiar with
the model and language utilized in chemical dependency .My learning
activitys included observing groups three times a week, doing case
management notes/working with files, and engaging in conversations with
the group facilitators. My other learning objective was to demonstrate an
increased knowledge of NOHS standards in the work place. My learning
activities for this objective included the ability to recognize theorys in
practice and writing reflections on how standards are applicable to work
setting.
Increased understanding of self: Through my learning objectives I was
able to recognize the language I already knew from my own life experiences
and the language that was new for me. The new language I caught on to
very fast, I also caught on to the abbreviations of other agencies and/or
groups fairly fast as well. Another thing I noticed about myself was that it
wasnt as easy as I had thought recognizing theory in practice. This told me
that I need to become more familiar with the theories and their names so
that I am more able to recognize theory as I see theory in practice. One of
the ways Im thinking of addressing this is by creating a sheet with theorys
and brief definitions and putting it on my wall next to my desk so that when I
write reflections I visibly see the theorys, which might help them stay in the
forefront of my mind while working at internship.
Knowledge development: Do to the emphasis on my learning objectives I
feel I learned a lot about the terms and abbreviations used in chemical
dependency. I also learned more about the models the agency uses. For
example the agency utilizes the disease model and emphasizes the 12 steps

in terms of seeking sobriety. I also became knowledgeable on how groups are

run for example in PPW (Prenatal and Parenting Woman) group which meets
3 times a week for two hours. In theory on Tuesdays we go over something
related to the body in terms of health and chemical dependency.
Wednesdays we go over emotion and behavioral things which could be
things like grief, high risk relapse behaviors, changes of mood and behaviors
over time of being sober etc. On Thursdays we focus on environment, this
can include things like upbringing, family life, school, friends etc.
Skill development: One of the skills I developed from my learning
objectives was better case notes. When you have a better understanding of
the language and the model of the agency you work with you are able to
utilize the model and language in your notes. Note writing is substantially
easier when the language is second nature and you use the language in
ways that coincides with the agencys model. Another skill development with
notes that I learned in writing notes is that they not only want notes to be
honest but lean towards the positive. For example if a client came at break or
left at break they dont really write that down. They want notes to work for
clients best interests which I viewed as a skill of knowing what to add or
leave out in a clients best interest.
Ethical Issues, Organizational Issues, Professional Development,
Direct Services issues:
I faced a few ethical issues from my perspective throughout my
internship for example a counselor used the r-word, but as part of my
professional development I addressed the issue. Organizational issues that
were brought up throughout my internship mainly had to do with funding and
giving counselors to much to do with the amount of clients they work with.
The biggest direct service issues I faced I feel had to do with squashing out
any form of bulling between clients.

Increased Understanding of self: I learned though my experiences with

ethical issues that my professional development grew. I learned that I have
to address something if I think something is ethically wrong. I learned that I
am not able to be a bystander, that if I try to be a bystander I cant stop
thinking about it till it is addressed and clarified. I have also recognized that
my view on many issues that come up in the field of chemical dependency
are very left even within agencys already going in that direction. This was
something I learned about myself in many conversations with other workers.
Knowledge Development: Over the past 12 weeks I have solidified
different ways of thinking in terms of client success which was something the
book The Successful Internship brought up (Sweitzer, pg. 183, 2014). For
example, many would think success would only come if someone stays
clean. But I have had to learn and rethink client success in the smaller
victories. I think this knowledge of recognizing all the successes is a more
holistic way of viewing a client and a more positive and open one(Sweitzer,
pg. 213-214, 2014). In recovery its so easy to focus on everything negative
but that positivity is what really keeps people going. I have also become
more knowledgeable of the professional side of viewing clients and the
agencys holistically. Its easy to want someones recovery to be their major
focus but you arent looking at a client holistically if you ignore everything
else they have to be devoting time and energy to throughout their recovery
process. I observed that the more holistically counselors are in helping
clients the better clients seem to do in their recovery process. I had to also
learn about the ways in which the agency tries to work with clients
holistically. For example, when they have clients whom are homeless getting
them into housing is a top priority for the agency.
Skill development: A skill I am developing is my professional voice and
how it addresses ethical, organizational and direct service issues. This is a
skill that I hope to work on throughout my various internships so that when I

get a job in the field I know the best ways to use my voice in different
circumstances and situations to best serve clients.
Quality of Supervision & Support:
I felt I got a lot of support at my internship. I didnt see or talk that
much with my supervisor but the counselors I worked under worked fairly
closely with me. They were always good at addressing my questions and
showing me the ropes. I felt very supported by both the counselors I worked
with. I would say that for the most part the counselors I worked with had a
high support/medium direction approach (Sweitzer, pg. 166-167, 2014).
Increased Understanding of self: I have learned that I dont need a whole
lot of support in doing work. I have learned that I take a lot of initiative and
that when given clear direction I get a lot done. One thing I have noticed
about myself is being hesitant at times to take a leap of faith on myself. For
example, one of the counselors I work with has stated that I am able to lead
part of group, but because we havent talked about what they would like me
to lead on or a topic, I havent. This is something I recognize I need to work
on. I need to take steps to increase my experiences when the door is opened.
Knowledge Development: Due to the supervision and support I got I
learned about the roles and responsibilities that various people at the agency
have. I learned various things about the agency and its roles. For example
someone can stay on the roster for group and have up to 90 consecutive
days of unexcused group sessions before taken off the roster. This only
changes depending on things like if they are mandated to be there or if they
are self-referred. I learned this by asking questions of my counselor whom I
work under.
Skill Development: Over the past 12 weeks I have learned to be assertive
in my learning by asking questions and by reaffirming what I know and what I
would like to know from my counselors. I have developed skills in working

dynamics and learning how to professionally communicate with various

people in the work place. I have also been learning when it is appropriate to
disclose my opinions or observations for example when I should bring up
things about clients, when it is appropriate to talk about personal knowledge,
and what questions are important to ask for my professional role and to
whom.
Level of Support & Learning during Seminar:
I felt very supported during seminar emotionally and professionally. I
felt very safe in seminar to share what was going on at internship and I felt
very supported by the instructor through my professional and emotional
process. Most of the quarter I had a lot going on personally and I felt my
instructor really supported me though that which in turn helped me
professionally as well.
Increased Understanding of self: Through this process I felt that I learned
more about the job descriptions that did not appeal to me, such as specific
behind the scenes work like for events or fundraisers. I learned that
fundraising isnt a passion of mine just by hearing peoples experiences. I
also learned more about how event planning isnt a big passion of mine
either. Another thing I learned is which agencys I felt I could or couldnt
work in.
Knowledge Development: I learned a lot more about other agencies in
terms of what ones I might want to intern or work with in the future. I was
also able to see and learn from other peoples experiences. For example I
learned from a group presentation that talked about a training they did that
involved suicide prevention. I learned the importance of listening in those
circumstances and being present with the person as well as the language
that is more appropriate.

Skill Development: I feel like some of the skills I gained from seminar
involved a networking aspect. I learned about peoples interests and abilities
which helped me share things I knew that might be helpful for them. This
was also reciprocated as others also informed me. I am also getting better
with my skill to share myself with people in a higher standing then myself.
For example when difficult things were taking place in my personal life I was
able to push myself to inform my instructor. This is a skill that I feel is
important and will remain important as my life goes on; knowing when
something in your personal life is at a level where you should inform those
who have expectations of you.

Works Cited
Sweitzer, H. F., & King, M. A. (2014). The successful internship: personal,
professional, and civic development in experiential learning (Fourth ed.). Belmont,
CA: Brooks/Cole.