FIRST STEP!!

My first step was to research graduate programs and learn the requirements needed for each program before completing the application. This was a very interesting process to complete!!

The first graduate program I am interested in is Depaul University!! They had a very interesting website to navigate and interesting details to read. The requires for this institution is completing the application before December 1, GRE score of at least a 1200, and B grade point average. I read the programs that might be of interest to me which were clinical child track and the clinical community track. I am still comparing the two programs to see which one best fits my goals.

The second school was Roosevelt University. Besides completing the application the only requirements was including a personal statement along with application and a G.P.A of 3.0. I like this program because they require no GRE score!! HOW EXCITING!!

The third school was Northwestern. I looked into this school because one of my role models suggested that I study marriage and family because the curriculum teaches social systems and different types of relationships and this is the only I know of that offers a program like this. The only issue is that they do not offer this training at the a Master's level only PH.D. The requirements for this GRE score, 3 recommendations from actually psychologists, transcripts, and personal statement.

The fourth school was UIC. The requirements were 3.2 G.P.A, GRE recommended but not required, 3 recommendations from actually psychologists, and a personal statement. I am going look further into this program because I am very interested.

The fifth programs in researched was the Professional school of psychology. This program was MOST interesting!! The requirements for this program are 3.0 G.P.A, GRE NOT REQUIRED, 3 letters of recommendations, and an essay. This program stuck out more because all their programs cater to the different interests of psychologists.

2 more interviews!!!!

Even though I blogged that I interviewed Connie Vitale last week we final met this past weekend. During our emails we only scratched the surface of the conversation, but we really got into depth and interesting conversation in our meeting. We met this past Sunday at Ann Sather's which turned out to be a pretty nice place to have coffee and chat. I was a little nervous because I did not know what to expect....lol. Once she arrived the conversatioon started. Connie started by asking me a few questions about myself and my career that she did not undertand through our email. She asked my what was my purpose for my private practice and I stated that I wanted to own my own business counseling and create programs that help individuals cope after a traumatic event specifically domestic violence and sexual assault. After my answer, Connie stated "you don't want a private practive you want your own agency". And after I thought about it the idea made more sense to me. I dont want to counsel only I want to hire staff members that assist me in couseling and create programs within the agency. I definitely learned something new about myself that was very exciting. After we got to the bottom of my dreams Connie suggested that I start volunteering with as many agencies as possible to gain expertise experience about agencies, how they are established and how they operate. I was so excited after our meeting.

She also mentioned looking into a master's in social work because my dreams can also be achieved through a master's in social work as well as psychology!! Connie said that a master's in social work gives me more a variety when it comes to the things I can pursue with the degree. She said that she would be keeping her eyes open for anything and anybody that would help me in my plans. So, now I am waiting on her email with contact information about someone who hosts domestic violence workshops!!! Meeting with people is most beneficial then email the interpersonal communication is exciting and you really build your social networks more in person not through email as much. Connie is such a wonderful person I look forward to seeing your again in the future.


Unfortunately my second interview was through email because she resides in San Diego, California. Even though Tracey is many miles away she made some suggestions that I am really taking into consideration. Tracey is a therapist that specializes in marriage and family. She suggested that I consider a master's in marriage and family because it teaches you systems, context, and about our social relationships. Often times people fail to recognize that our problems exist through our relationships with other people. When it comes to domestic violence and sexual assault our social world is very important. Because these issues usual exist within relationships that already existed in our lives such as family members, friends, marriages, partners, and aquaintances. Not only do these issues exist in existing relationships, but after the traumatc event has taken place its become difficult for the victim/survivor to trust individuals in their social world again and cope in society. I really apprecriate this suggestions that Tracey made. And Connie mentioned that Northwestern has a great Marriage and Family Institition. Me and Tracey are still comunicating!!


These women has made a tremendous impact in my future goals that I do not think I would have thought about these ideas without them. My interviews were amazing. It feels wonderful to see my plans change and grow into avenues that I could not have done alone!! I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT MY PLANS!!

I am currently trying to contact Beth Richie because she is very involved in the domestic violence movement. So, wish me luck!!!

Assignment Eight!!

I know we were suppose to interview 2 role models, but my role models are very busy and our schedules conflicted a lot. However, we were conversing through email and one of my role models have yet to respond. So, I have been conversing with Connie Vitale and she has been a therapist for 18 years!! She has her license as a clinical professional counselor. The questions I asked her to get the conversion rolling were:

• How long were you a therpist?
• What kinds of workshops does you host?
• What graduate program did you attend?
• What kind of advise would you give a young women like myself interested in this field?
• Do you have any regrets?
• Would you change anything about your career?
• Would you suggest I do into social worker or psychology since both fields are very similar?

• What are some challenges you face in private practice?
  

She was wonderful and very helpful. She received her MA in pastoral counseling at Loyola where she currently teaches and run group therapy sessions as well as online discussions. She started counseling really late and it was her second career. She told me that its good to see young women interested in the field because we are underrepresented especially as minorities. She also told me that private practice is a bit isolated from other types of therapy. She stated that of she can do it over she would form a group practice with some colleagues. They were a few things that she would like to change about her career. Unfortunately, we only scratched the surface of the conversation there are still millions of questions I would love to ask like is it really necessary to get a Ph.D or PsyD? Also I still waiting on two other therapist to responds. However, I am definitely going to meet with Connie in the near future to continue our conversation.

Interviews!

The first person I interviewed was Vicky Sides. I know her through my independent study instructor. We had a conversation over the phone. A couple years ago she was an advocate for domestic violence. Her job was to educate and counsel individuals that were seeking knowledge about or have experienced some form of domestic violence in their lives. During our conversation she was mostly providing me with advise and good tips while working in the domestic violence movement.

Her suggestions were to try to stay as positive as I can because sometimes the job and be very overwhelming. Listening to stories of abuse can sometimes cause you to feel down and depressed for other people. So, staying positive and engaging myself in fun and uplifting activities can sometimes keep my mind off my work.

She encouraged me to think about getting a Ph.D or a PsyD in clinical psychology to better equip myself for owning my own private practice. As our conversation continued we started to discuss discrimination and prejudices that exist at the systematic (macro) level when it comes to assisting people that have experienced some form of domestic violence. To explain, safe places such as shelters are not easily accessible in minority communities. Sometimes it can get extremely difficult when serving minorities. Their needs are greater and different from other individuals.

My second interview was from Andria L. who works for RVA (rape victim advocate) in the downtown area. I know her through my internship that I was offered for this coming summer. The internship entails being a crisis intervention advocate for victims of sexual assault. Our conversation was very similar to my first interview. We discussed the emotional aspects for working with individuals that have experienced sexual assault. How heavy the position can be in my life. She was saying how I need to be emotionally ready for a career like this. Our conversation forced me to think about if I am ready for this type of commitment. I must be very sensitive and non-judgmental regarding issues like sexual assault and domestic violence. This internship will definitely show me if this field is really for me and provide me with the appropriate skills necessary for the job. My passion to help and educate are motivators I need to give me a strong drive.