My internship at CPC Behavioral Healthcare was a positive learning experience which allowed me learn may different sides to social work. CPC Behavioral Healthcare is a mental health, substance abuse, special education, and physical health service center dedicated to bettering the lives of individuals and families. CPC has a variety of services to help treat the individual or family whether it is through individual counseling, group counseling, medical appointments, or dialectical behavioral therapy. I got to see the case managers and therapists complete daily case work or lead therapy sessions all to help the clients get the best treatment and care possible.

      Throughout my internship, I completed daily tasks to assist the case managers at CPC. I completed termination summaries, treatment plans, reviews, and closing letters. I was so appreciative to get to learn the case management tasks because it is so much more then paperwork. In order for the clients to get the best care, the paperwork is an essential part in the treatment process. I got to learn about different disorders such as anxiety, PTSD, depression, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism, etc. through reading psychiatric assessments, risk assessments, medical appointment notes, treatment plans, DSM-5, and closings. The notes explained the symptoms and medications that can help an individual towards a productive lifestyle. I got to read and complete assignments that would help the therapists assist the individuals in order to get treatment they needed. It meant so much knowing that I was part of the reason that the clients would be getting the appropriate treatment. 

      Part of my internship with CPC was getting the chance to observe and listen to DBT skills group and Adolescent Girls IOP sessions. As I observed the group sessions, I noticed the patience and understanding that each counselor had as they guided the group towards a successful lifestyle. I got to learn from skillful counselors as I watched the way they mentored and helped each indivdual get in touch with who they were. The therapists would make sure that every person was getting the attention and help that they needed to fit their goals. I benefited from the opportunity to sit on the group sessions by listening to the advice that the therapists would give and seeing each client interact with not only the group members but the therapists as well. 

      I couldn't be more sure of my passion towards social work after my opportunity at CPC. The staff was always supportive and helpful whenever I had a question or just needed a friendly face to talk to. The atmosphere was a welcoming environment filled with knowledgable counselors and staff who made sure that every patient was getting the attention and treatment to fit their needs. I feel appreciative and grateful for interning at CPC and getting to see the behind the scenes work at a mental/behavioral health clinic. I can now recognize the effort and passion that goes into counseling another individual or a group of people towards their path to recovery. Every day at CPC was a new learning experience that allowed me to be more certain than the day before of why I am pursuing social work. My goal is to eventually help guide and counsel others the way that I saw the therapists at CPC making a difference in someone else's life. I now plan on taking my improved critical thinking, communication, and listening skills that I learned at CPC and applying it to my future path in graduate school and as a future social worker. 

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