Your Neighborhood Counselor

More Changes

2015-10-20T11:50:00.001-04:00

A lot has happened in 5 months time...for starters, I got a new job! I work in utilization management now and so far I like it. I still do therapy in the weekends. I was also in a car accident a couple of months ago and it's been a nightmare! My mind is all over the place right now trying to do many things. I'd still like to write...not going to promise when but when the ball starts rolling you'll know for sure!

The honeymoon is DEFINITELY over :(

2015-05-28T22:55:00.001-04:00

Well that didn't last...

The high of being licensed I mean.

Making my next moves is proving more difficult than I thought. Because of *private insurance*...they want you to be licensed for 5 years otherwise you have to be under the supervision of someone licensed longer than you have. I'm newly licensed so finding work in private practice will be kind of difficult.

They don't tell you any of this on graduate school. They sure as hell didn't in mine.

They say anything not easy is worth it...only time will tell.

I'll just keep on swimming :)

What is it Like to be Licensed?

2015-05-06T15:28:00.001-04:00

Hello There!

It's been almost 3 months since I've been licensed and the excitement as worn off (unfortunately). People have asked me this a lot over the past several weeks and honestly, it feels like this:

1. It feels like I've joined a secret society of mental health professionals. I'm treated differently as soon as I say I'm licensed. It kind of makes me mad that's the case because all mental health providers should be treated the same because we're here to serve individuals with mental illness.

2. It's a relief and rewarding to achieve a goal you've been working on for 6 years when you've been told it's take 3-4 years.

I have a NPI number and I'm working on coming up with a different counseling business name to put on my business cards. I've also started working as a therapist on the weekends at the psychiatric hospital I work PRN for. As usual, I'm a busy body but I need to re-engage in doing my online stuff. I'm getting there slowly mentally...I'm getting there :)

Be on the lookout for more updates and posts! I have Blogger on my phone so there's really no excuse for me!

Take Care,
Kimmy :)

I did it!!

2015-03-03T13:52:00.001-05:00

After many years of hard work, I'm a LMHC!!!

I'm so relieved that the process is over and proud of myself of this accomplishment.

Mind you that this is a much more subdued reaction from when I was notified two weeks ago. LOL!

Lately, the question of the day is "What are you going to do now????"

The answer to that is, I'm figuring that out now. A few things I know for sure:

I want to re-engage in online therapy so I'm going to work on my e-therapy certification as well as redesign this blog, my website, and work on writing. I'm going to have to schedule time to work on these things.
I want to work on my CAP. MUCH easier once you're a LMHC. Shouldn't be to difficult...
Get my finances back in order. The aftermath is a Federal Disaster Area.

If something comes along, great! If not, I'm okay (except for my commute but that's in my "things I cannot control" pile). I've made things work for this long, what's a little bit longer?

I also want to add that I have the best friends, family, and co-workers a girl could ask for. The congrats I received made me feel really good. Anything is possible when you have good people around you.

If you're a registered intern, associate counselor, whatever, in mental health, my advice to you is...

“Never, never, never give up.” ― Winston Churchill

You'll be hearing from me a lot more :)

Take Care,

Kimmy

Just Keep Swimming

2014-11-28T18:09:00.001-05:00

Right now I'm on autopilot...waiting for February to come.

My LMHC Supervisor has agreed to meet with me the minimum of biweekly, which will help the finances some. Now I have to submit my application for licensure and complete the trainings the state wants me to complete. My LMHC supervisor resigning and my employer not honoring the LMHC internship contract I signed has me disillusioned however I'm going to keep it moving...that's all I can do...

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I ate and slept a lot, which was nice. I continue to write, brush up on my Spanish so I can move to South Florida, and learn Korean. As usual, I'm a busy lady.

Just Keep Swimming...

Take Care,
Kimmy

Crisis Mode (WTF?!?)

2014-10-26T21:42:00.000-04:00

These past two weeks have been one thing after another...

To make a long story short, my LMHC supervisor resigned. Next week is her last week. Now I'm spending $800 I was not anticipating on spending. I don't know how that's going to work out because I'm supposed to be paying my student loans and I'm slowly but surely being pushed out of my PRN job (I call it how I see it). I've been submitting my resume but only God knows when something will pop up.

I'm very frustrated and questioning my decision to get into mental health. My credit report cannot allow any more hiccups in my LMHC...I have long terms goals I'd like to achieve in the next couple of years (e.g., buy a house, start trading stocks again) but it's not going to happen on my current income/debt ratio...but I digress...

I have no choice but to keep on truckin...

I'm working on my book...it's going to be a relationship book...a compilation of posts. My goal is to have it published between the end of the year and my birthday, which is in March.

It's time to focus on making money on my writing. I suppose I can spend my weekends working on the app and book.

Initiate plan C!

It's good to vent...

Take care,
Kimmy

I've Been Working on Some Things...

2014-10-06T16:12:00.000-04:00

Hello out there! :)

I've been a busy bee over the past month or so...

I've written two LinkedIn articles. I'll post when I figure out how to do so.

I developed an app. eTherapist...look for it in Apple or Android. It's a work in progress...I just wanted to snag the name.

I'm also working on an ebook. It'll be a compilation of some posts. Be on the lookout for that.

I've been going to the gym during my spare time...I've gained a lot of weight. Sucks but I'm working on that too. Gotta do the self-care.

That's all I got for now...

Take care,
Kimmy

These Clinical Supervisors I Tell Ya...Plus an Update...

2014-09-19T21:27:00.001-04:00

Greetings! :)

Good news: I got a hold of my first clinical supervisor and she mailed my attestation form to the state! Yay!

Bad news: She only signed off on 3 weeks out of 8 months :( so I won't be licensed until Late January/Early February 2014.

I knew she was going to do that but it doesn't make it less disappointing. At least I know when this journey will end.

My fabulous co-worker at my PRN job gave me the bright idea of compiling some of my posts to a couple of ebooks. Shouldn't be hard right?

I will start my next article for LinkedIn over the weekend...I will post it when it's published. The topic is a surprise but it's been on the news lately.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend!

Take care,
Kimmy

LinkedIn Update

2014-08-03T22:37:00.002-04:00

Greetings!

After a few technical hiccups, I posted my first LinkedIn article!

I'm also working on the online counseling...

Little by little I'm getting there...

Take Care,
Kimmy

Surviving the NCMHCE Exam

2014-08-01T13:33:00.001-04:00

A wise woman told me (repeatedly) "It's not how much you know it's knowing the test".

As you may or may not have heard, I passed the NCMHCE exam a few weeks ago. I just wanted to share how I prepared and my experience with taking the exam.

I used www.counselingexam.com to prepare for the test. A few of us interns chipped in and shared a login information for about 6 months. The practice scenarios were helpful although they may want to change the wording of the questions (the actual exam doesn't give as much background info, you find out more information about the client as you answer the questions).
I completed a practice scenario about every couple of days then every other day up to my test date. I did not take a practice test the night before. I made notes of what I missed and discussed with my clinical supervisor answers I did not agree with (there will be answers you will not agree with...SUCK IT UP if you want to pass!).
I also went over DSM-5 changes, decision making, and read all the tips counselingexam.com provided.
I went to a DSM-5 training that my agency provided. I found that to be most helpful oddly enough. I strongly encourage you to take a DSM-5 training, course, webinar, whatever you can get to.
My jobs require me to do A LOT of assessments, which was a useful thing for me on the information gathering part of the exam. If you can, do as many assessments as you can and pay attention to the questions you're asking clients in order to make your diagnosis.
I took my test day off as soon as I scheduled it. You will not want to be anywhere near work pass or fail.
Simulation History was the most useful tool I used during the exam. It doesn't work on the counselingexam.com scenarios but being able to look at all my answers, right or wrong, helped me in my approach to answering the questions.
Know your diagnoses and how they're similar and different. V-codes and all.
Know your treatment interventions but pay attention to what is correct and incorrect on the practice scenarios...even if you do not agree with the answer!
Know your ethics and cultural competency.
Have lots of support and solicit prayers (good vibes, thoughts, well wishes, etc.) :)!

That's all I can think of for now. I'm so glad I don't have to take that sucker again!! It was more difficult than the Series 7!

Well I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Take Care and Stay Cool!

-Kimmy

2014-07-24T17:42:00.001-04:00

I've been invited by LinkedIn to write articles about mental health issues! I'm excited about the opportunity!

Now that my nerves are calm, I'm working on my board exam post. I'll share what I did to prepare and my overall testing experience.

That's all for now...I'm off to work!

Take care,
Kimmy

I survived the NBCC exam!

2014-07-11T17:41:00.002-04:00

Greetings!

After many months of studying, I passed the NBCC exam today! It was more difficult than I anticipated. I studied using counselingexam.com and although it helped me get used to the exam, they need an overhaul in content. Hopefully they get on that soon because they are NOT cheap!

Now it's just a matter of my getting my hours...last I checked (about a month ago), I was halfway there. Then your neighborhood counselor will be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and I won't have to work so hard and get back to my blogging and writing. I'm looking forward to it because I'm tired!

I'm going to work on a post on NBCC exam tips...now that I'll have more free time, I'll be posting a little bit more. Time to get back to this blogging thing (and more Netflix marathons!)!

Until next time folks!

Take care,
Kimmy

Changes. ..

2013-10-26T15:47:00.001-04:00

Well it's been a while since my last post and a lot has gone down. I'm now a therapist for my employer's Ryan White clients and I'm an admissions consultant for a psychiatric hospital in town. I had to take a semester off to get a handle on my finances but I returned a few weeks ago (yay!) and that's been coming along. I've been super busy... and learning along the way. I counted my LMHC hours and I still have a ways to go. That's all I got on this end...I hope to post again soon!

Take care,
Kimmy

Progress and Lessons

2013-05-25T09:39:00.001-04:00

Hi all,

This going to be another quick post. I'm going through a lot of changes at the job and as usual school is kicking my butt. I'm installing Blogger right now so I can post on the go (side note: the Galaxy S4 is pretty awesome!).

My new supervisor is amazing! The LMHC internship at work keeps me busy. I started studying for the NBCC exam (as in, worked on practice modules) this past week. I plan on taking the exam when I'm on break from school in late September, ready or not.

I recently learned at work that you have to be careful of who you give the benefit of a doubt to at work, depending on the nature of your job. There are people who are miserable or stuck in their life and instead of working on themselves, they choose to be jealous of or attempt to sabotage those who are trying to grow. There are also people who think work is social hour focusing more on making friends than their job duties. Both types of people make work miserable; having both types of people in the same work environment is complete and utter chaos. If something is not right with your coworkers, say something to management and go up the chain until something is done. Also, always do what is best for you and your career. ALWAYS. Protect your license at all costs and document everything.

I'll have another update for you when some things are finalized.

Take care,
Kimmy

Back Again...

2013-03-18T09:35:00.001-04:00

Greetings All,

I did not realize I hadn't posted anything in over 2 months until last week. It's been crazy in my neck of the woods. I'm in the process of changing LMHC supervisors; I start clocking hours next week. I also finished a semester of school last week in addition to working my part-time seasonal job. I'm going to reinstall the Blogger app on my phone so I can post on the go. I have more to say but that will be for another time. Hope everyone's 2013 is going well.

Take care,
Kimberly

LMHC Supervisor Crisis

2013-01-11T12:07:00.002-05:00

I think I said in a previous post that my LMHC supervisor dropped me because I wasn't seeing enough clients to make it worth her while (long story short) and I met with another LMHC supervisor yesterday and she told me the same thing. So, I'm at a standstill right now as far as getting my LMHC and it's very frustrating. I was told to volunteer to do psychosocials and assessments at my agency however I'm going to put that on hold. She also told me that it would be a good time to study and take the LMHC exam so I think I'm going to scrounge up the money to do that. I also have to renew my license (although I just got the thing *sigh*) soon. I've also been looking for positions where clinical supervision is available so we'll see how it goes.

School is going alright. I'm taking a class on eating disorders. I'm trying to figure out how they can stretch eating disorders out for 10 weeks but I guess it's because of the resistance to treatment (when they do get treatment) and high relapse rate. So far the emphasis is on prevention. We'll see how it goes.

I hope everyone's 2013 is going well. Be on the lookout for new posts.

Take care,
-Kimmy

Make plans not resolutions.

2013-01-06T21:56:00.003-05:00

For 2013, I decided not to make resolutions. I did it mostly not to feel like a failure if I didn't do it because the guilt from failing can be very dehabilitating. Instead, I made plans and steps on how to carry out those plans. The saying goes "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" and this is very true. Here's a link to a post I had a year ago on New Year Resolutions and I hope it helps.

I hope everyone's 2013 is going well so far and be on the lookout for more posts.

Take care,
-Kimmy

What a Difference a Year Makes

2012-12-30T15:53:00.001-05:00

A year ago, I was feeling crappy about the direction my life was going so I decided to do something about it. Writing this blog has been one of the highlights of the year. Also, I got a counselor position, started my doctoral program, and found a LMHC supervisor so I can start studying for the exam. The year was going pretty well with the exception with some financial crises towards the end that I'm getting through (Christmas did not help at all) and my LMHC supervisor dropping me a few weeks ago (it's all for the best; she only wanted my money). One of my friends has information for a LMHC supervisor who is much cheaper and hopefully more understanding of my current job and lack of clients I'm seeing. I'm also looking for jobs that will get me closer to the 2000 hours I need.

School is going okay. Honestly I don't like the program at all but it's a means to an end and I'm getting through the coursework portion of the program. I'm also going to do my residency this summer and fall to start on the dissertation part of the program. I got the only C I can get in the program so I gotta watch my grades going forward so I don't get kicked out.

I just wanted to take some time to thank my readers for reading the blog and I hope you gained some insight and were amused somehow. I wish all of you the best in 2013.

Take care,
-Kimmy

Counseling Can Be a Dangerous Job

2012-12-30T14:53:00.001-05:00

A couple of days ago, I was helping my department with HIV testing and apparently one of our clients carjacked a woman at gunpoint before coming to get tested. Because they believed he had a gun, the police raided the mobile testing van regardless of whether client confidentiality was going to be broken (yes there were clients testing on the van). I will say this: having guns pointed at you does not feel good, especially when it is known that your local police shoots first and asks questions later. The incident reminded me that working in people who are in need can be very dangerous. There are many individuals in need who have made decisions that put them in dangerous situations. There may be times where a mental health professional may be in the middle of the dangerous situation. Hopefully an employer has whatever means to keep their employees safe. Unfortunately, this was not the case at mine. I hope that they will make the appropriate changes needed to keep us safe in the future. I've been in some dangerous places but my current job takes the cake. In any case, counseling, like any job, has its risks. If you are a counselor or working with individuals in need and unaware of these risks, you need to reevaluate your life because you'll be in for a very rude awakening.

-Kimmy

Guns and Mental Illness

2012-12-27T09:50:00.001-05:00

I posted this a while back to my friends on Facebook.

What happened in Connecticut is sad and my prayers go out to the families of the children slain...however (yes, I'm going to go there)...I will say this: Mental Illness is real. There are too many people with mental illness who go untreated because those around them refuse to accept that the person is mentally ill and they don't want to deal with it. There are a large number of people who are not resilient and cannot cope with the rough patches of life; they need medication and/or psychotherapy to learn how to cope. Society is not doing enough to help the mentally ill (there are people who do not think it's society responsibility to help those people) and depending on how the fiscal cliff situation goes, they're going to be at a bigger disadvantage. Current gun laws allow those with mental illness to bear arms. Unless society collectively decides to deal with the mentally ill with dignity and respect these shootings and incidents of this nature will continue.

The right to bear arms is a Constitutional right however our founding fathers wrote that amendment in context of the 18th century. They didn't have a look into the future and never in a million years would've predicted that mass murders would occur. With that said, gun control needs to be reevaluated and updated to the context of the 21st century (whatever that means).

When the Sandy Hook shootings happened, I along with everyone else in the country was in complete shock. Once my shock passed, I started looking at the details. I'm sorry, who in their right mind would take their child with a history of mental illness with aggressive behaviors to a gun range? Why weren't the guns locked away? My father has a mental illness and because my family knows how bad it can get, we will NEVER have guns in my parent's house. It's common sense (to me). It should be common sense to all families of people with mental illness. In addition, I'm aware it's difficult for individuals with mental illness to remain complaint on their treatment because the side effects of some of those medications are God awful but support from family, friends and treatment providers goes a very long way. I wonder why the shooter's father and brother did not speak up when they noticed a change in the shooter's behavior. A mentally ill individual with active symptoms is very hard to ignore. Unfortunately, in this family's case and with many other families of mentally ill individuals, they don't want to deal with it so they ignore it. For those families, this is the hand you've been dealt and therefore MUST at least try to be a part of your loved one's life and treatment. I did a little research and Connecticut has involuntary commitment for mentally ill individuals who are a threat to themselves and others. I strongly believe that if the family paid a little more attention, he could have been committed and put under observation, preventing the shootings.

Another part of the gun control argument is that young people are killed by the hands of guns everyday, especially in urban areas. Guns are a way of life in these areas because no one is there to teach them otherwise. Why? I don't know. The young people in those areas do not know of any other way to resolve conflict because there aren't any mature male adults to teach them and some urban music is not helping the situation either. Further, those guns are usually obtained illegally so the government and the community have to develop creative means to eliminate guns in these areas.

In order to prevent these type of shootings in this country, both gun control and mental illness have to be reevaluated.

-Kimmy

He's just not that into you (sorry)...

2012-11-28T23:53:00.000-05:00

Attention ladies!

I'm going to make this one short and sweet.

If a guy likes you, he will make it known. He will make effort to communicate with you. He will flat out tell you. He will introduce you to his friends and family as his partner. He will make sure you are okay.

Men are simple. Take what they say and do at face value. If they are not doing what I mentioned above, I'm sorry, he's not that into you. Plain and simple. No need for further analysis.

Another thing, men will do to you what you allow them to do. If you don't like something they say or do, shut it down early. If they continue, cut them loose. Men will only change for the woman they know in their heart is the woman for them. If a man is not trying to improve your relationship, he's just not that into you.

Unreciprocated feelings are the worst however they are like all other emotions: they come and go if you do not hold them hostage. It's going to feel like crap for a (long) while but it will pass. Just remember that you deserve someone who will love all of you, treat you right and not string you along.

Never settle for less.

Take care,
Kimmy

Mental Health 101: Eating Disorders

2012-11-12T11:18:00.001-05:00

Everyone has at some point in their life said to his/herself "I need to lose or gain a couple of pounds"and may adjust their diet accordingly. However there are those who take it to extremes. Eating disorders are abnormal eating habits that are harmful to one's health. Eating disorders affect both men and women. In the United States, eating disorders are more common than Alzheimer's disease. In addition to abnormal eating habits, people with eating disorders engage in unhealthy behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting and taking laxatives.

There are three eating disorders in the DSM-IV-TR: Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder.

Symptoms of Anorexia include

Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height.
Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
Disturbance in the way one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
Amenorrhea, i.e., the absence of at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles.

Symptoms of Bulimia include:

Recurrent episodes of binge eating characterized by both eating, in a discrete period of time an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during the same time frame and a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode.
Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise.
The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behavior both occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 months.
Self evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.

Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder include:

Loss of control over amount of eating
Marked distress over binge episode
Occurs at least 1x per week for 3 months
Eating more rapidly than normal (i.e. 2 hr period)
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating
Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty over after overeating

Treatment for eating disorders include adequate nutrition, reducing excessive exercise, and stopping purging behaviors. Specific forms of psychotherapy, or talk therapy, and medication are effective for many eating disorders. However treating eating disorders can be expensive. For example, a residential program for anorexia can cost upwards of $30,000 a month.

If you think that you or someone you know may have a eating disorder, seek help from a doctor or mental health professional as soon as you can. That's their job. Here is some online resources.

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
www.anad.org

Take care,
-Kimmy

Late Nights, Early Mornings

2012-11-02T23:04:00.001-04:00

Greetings!

I'm just checking in...I've been working late a lot lately so I haven't had the chance to post anything because I'm sleeping. I'm nodding my head as we speak.

School is fine...I'm taking two leadership classes and honestly they're quite boring. I'm definitely a clinician.

I'm still waiting for the OK from the NBCC to take the LMHC exam. I expect to go into crisis procrastination mode shortly.

I have two papers due Sunday but I'm going try to sneak a post in while I'm awake this weekend. I plan on staying home.

I'm at a little over 5,000 views on the blog now...yay! Thanks for reading :)

That's all I got...falling asleep in 5,4,3.....

(Almost) 4000 Views (!)

2012-10-02T13:24:00.002-04:00

OMG! I can't believe it! I'm a little over 200 views from 4000! What's crazy about that is that I haven't really posted over the past couple of months.

While I'm here, I'm going to update you on what's going on with me...

I'm working on a post on eating disorders and I just thought of a post on being used in relationships. Be on the lookout for those in the next couple of weeks.

I'm on my last week of break from school...I got a B and an A in my classes last quarter. Next I'm taking Interdisciplinary Leadership and Ethics (yuck!).

I'm studying for the LMHC board exam. I'm in the process of obtaining permission from the state board to take the exam. I'll be taking it soon ready or not.

I'm taking baby steps in developing my non-profit. I have the mission statement down now I'm trying to think of a "cool" name for the organization. Once I get the meat and potatoes done I'll recruit for my board inbetween semesters.

I'm looking for a part-time job for the holidays and getting ready to work for Jackson Hewitt again. I don't want to but I'm not making any money from ads.

Continue to check in and spread the word about me!

Until next time...
-Kimmy

A Breakup is NOT the End of the World!

2012-09-28T12:54:00.001-04:00

I've been MIA (school kicked my butt so I had to take a time out to regroup) but I'm back now!

I want to talk about breakups a little bit...

They hurt (a lot)...it's miserable...I would not wish such pain on anyone.

There are people who feel like there's no point in living when a relationship ends HOWEVER I'm here to tell you that your life does not end when your relationship does!

The end of a relationship is a lot like a loved one dying...the pain is similar and you may find yourself asking "Why?". Because of this similarity, I say that you have to give yourself time to grieve the end of a relationship. Allow yourself to feel the anger, sadness, hurt, confusion so it gets out of your system. The thing with emotions is that they come and they go...they're not permanent.

After a breakup, it's good to have some friends or family to lean on and be an ear for you to vent. They could be old friends or new ones. The best way to get through any rough patch in life is a solid support system.

Use a breakup as an opportunity to gain a life lesson out of the relationship. When something goes wrong, those times are the best life lessons. You are never too old to learn so figure out what you needed to learn then move on.

Although you must grieve and learn from a breakup, do not allow yourself to sink in your depression. Keep away from triggers (songs, environments, etc.) that may make you feel any sadder. If the sadness does not go away after a few months or you are so sad you begin to feel hopeless, reach out to your doctor or a counselor because there may be something more serious going on.

Some people may feel that no one else will be able to love them after a relationship ends but this is not the case at all. If you grieve, surround yourself with positive people and things and learn from your mistakes of the past relationship, you put yourself in a position to allow someone new who is better than the last partner. Never, never, NEVER give up!

If you're going through a breakup, hang in there because believe it or not, it gets better!

Until next time,
-Kimmy