Christine
Chimera
Candidate,
Pre-Licensed Professional Counselor
I hope to work with underserved populations of children and adolescents in either a community based agency to provide therapy and crisis intervention or in a group home working one on one with children. My goal as a clinical mental health counselor is to work with children and adolescents who have had historically low access to mental health resources in Chicago communities. I have learned from personal experience about the need for access to such care as an adolescent. My work with young adults at a Chicago nonprofit has shown me the need for more mental healthcare providers committed to bringing resources to underserved communities in Chicago.
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I would love to schedule a time to further discuss my qualifications and how I can be an asset to you and your clients.
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I worked at a non-profit teaching debate in the Chicago Public School system for a decade. Working with adolescents helped me understand the obstacles between them and the care they need. I believe there is a lack of access to mental health care, especially in lower socio-economic classes, which disproportionately affects children. Parents and school systems are less likely to see mental health as a developmental necessity. Poverty and community violence can jeopardize health and safety causing grief or depression. It is precisely the communities which need the most help that have a least access to mental health providers. My history of teaching debate skills encouraged empowerment and resilience among the students, but I feel working directly with them in the field of mental health would provide more of an impact to promote the well-being of adolescents. I hope to better equip children and adolescents to navigate through their emotions and promote mental well-being and advocate for changes in the systems of support to aid the future well-being of all children. My history of community engagement and social justice can add an understanding of how socially responsible practitioners can effect change where mental health and community institutions intersect.
My goals for the first year of employment experience is to continue to learn new techniques to add to available interventions I have for use with clients and continue to be exposed to new case conceptualization in order to increase my self-confidence in working with a range of possible symptomatology and presenting problems. I still want to be exposed to more treatment plan interventions and techniques for practical use with clients.
The most important insight I have gained during my time in practicum and internship is how happy I am as a counselor. I have wanted to be a counselor since I was 11 years old. It is a relief to find that the occupation I have built up in my mind as my ultimate career path brings me joy. My former internship site provides counseling to underserved communities and I worked directly with adolescents. This is the same type of population I wish to continue to serve.