Psychologist

Loss and Grief Studies in Psychologist ‘s Career

Before examining the materials for the unit and being involved in class activities of Psychologists I have some concerns about the discussion on the subject of grief and loss because it’s a difficult subject for both novices in counseling, but as well experienced counselors. I’m committed to making efforts to research aspects of the subject in depth to acquire a deeper understanding regarding the subject of counseling loss in a psychology career.

I believe that the theoretical information is easy to comprehend and comprehend despite the numerous subtopics. However, I do anticipate difficulties in applying the theories as well as models and concepts in practice. I will do my best to anticipate and conquer potential problems that could arise when applying the theoretical concepts and principles to the real challenging cases of loss or grieving.

At this point, I am keen on exploring different kinds of losses and differences in dealing with these losses and the choice of the appropriate strategy. The issue lies in the fact that when I think about loss, I usually concentrate on death as a typical loss, and the intense grief that comes with it however, I am aware that counseling is a process where the concept of loss can be broader and all aspects should be dealt with by a professional.

To succeed in my studies I will concentrate on rethinking the theoretical material and the tasks that are practical in a way that is personal to address the expected difficulty in applying. I believe that this approach will help me become more engaged with the subject and an understanding and analysis of issues. But, I’m concerned that my view of the subject as too difficult and complex could hinder me from achieving my potential to study it. So, I’m planning to approach this subject as a professional aiming to expand the topics of my interest in the field to expand my existing knowledge about counseling.

PsychologistThe studies and participation in the activities led me to think that death is still the most difficult loss that I’m able to work with. But, despite knowing that the course and the associated readings offer details to deal with such loss as a loss, I know that I may encounter a myriad of issues when working with clients who talk about their role in causing the death of someone else and are afflicted with guilt.

In these instances, the pain resulting from the loss could be immense and difficult to deal with. Therefore, I can discuss these kinds of losses as difficult for me. In these instances, I must avoid judgment or stereotypes. The method that I can use to solve the issue and show my commitment to the individual is to concentrate on the methods to lessen the guilt that hinders the person from facing the loss.

Another concern is working with those who have experienced suicide. The reason for this is my personal view of suicide as an act of sin. Therefore I must be more attentive to being aware of the loss that a client experiences with suicide to offer efficient counseling. So, I must tackle the issue by focusing on ethical principles, staying clear of judgments and prejudices, as well as not making judgments from my perspective rather than the perspective of the client. From here I need to anticipate the scenario in which my personal beliefs can affect the client’s decision-making process and then remain ethical and focused on the client’s issue and needs.

When I first began the study of the materials for the unit I was keen to know more about the different kinds of losses as well as the various ways to discuss the subject. Thus the division in losses between developmental tangible intangible, primary, and secondary losses provided me with the opportunity to develop the foundation of the subject.

With the stereotypical notion that people typically consult counselors when experiencing the sadness of the loss of a close friend, I was shocked to find the range of grief that people endure and overcome every day. These losses vary in terms of their severity and type and can be recognized or not by other people. It is crucial to keep in mind that all of these losses impact the individual’s mood the person’s motivation, motives, as well as interactions with others.

The information and experiences gained during the week led me to think more deeply about the range of reactions people have to various losses, including loss of development, losses that are due to the state of health loss of capabilities loss that result from the end of various kinds of relationships, and many more. I had the chance to think about my view of loss from the viewpoint of others because only those who experience losses of any kind can truly comprehend the array of emotions one is experiencing. In addition, I realized how the phrases in the opening section of the course about loss and changes can be connected to reality because people move through different phases of grief regardless that they are in the category of loss.

Any significant change for someone can lead them to be depressed, afflicted with anxiety and angst, and need support needed to overcome the issue. These are the major results of my first steps of studying the issue and comprehending the basic principles of the counselor’s job as they address the issues of grief and loss. So, I’m planning to spend more time understanding these aspects of the subject.

As I was recognizing the need to think about my personal experiences of grief and loss I was a bit worried. I believed that I had never experienced a significant loss worthy of writing about. But after reviewing the sources on the different kinds of loss, I concluded that life for a person is filled with important, difficult, or even unconscious experiences that cause a person to move through stages of grief which may differ in duration. The loss experience that recently made me deal with the stages of grief has brought about the end of a friendship and has to be analyzed and discussed in the theories of grief.

I was a close pal from childhood with whom I interacted for an extended period and, even when we were focusing on our studies and work, we continued talking because our friendships gave us a sense of comfort and security. But, one day my friend texted me a message stating that we couldn’t communicate anymore. There was no explanation and all messages or phone calls were not answered.

I believe that the spouse felt an impact on my girlfriend and asked her to end the relationship, but I’m only able to speculate. The scenario could be viewed as normal, however, it’s being able to say that the emotions related to the incident can now be considered as me coping with loss and the stages of grief. I was shocked by the abrupt end of the friendship and also frustrated due to my inability to get reasons or talk about the situation without censorship.

My loss experience was caused by my inability to admit that the ending of my friends was an actual and unanticipated loss for me which triggered a variety of negative emotions and feelings. I was not prepared to accept that friendships could never be repaired. So, I started conversations with my friend but received no answers which triggered the negative reaction of the spouse of the friend. In the end, I became depressed as a result of the negative attitude of the individuals involved in the incident. The main factor which influenced my experiences was guilt.

With no explanations for the reason for ending the relationship, I was convinced that the issue could lie in my conduct and that I had to take action to resolve the issue and apologize. However, I was not deprived of this chance. In the end, I couldn’t effectively manage the grief, and my emotions grew less overwhelming due to the passage of time but not because of accepting the losses. At this point, I realize that every loss must be recognized, and is best to approach it from a counselor’s point of view to reduce the negative effects. At present, I am disappointed due to my inability to deal with the issue which affects my perception of the loss. I need to go through my grief stages once more to be able to accept any changes that have occurred in my relationships with the person I lost.

The information I have gained on grief and loss theories allows me to examine my personal experience within the context of these theories so that I can gain a deep understanding of the issue and identify methods of dealing with it. My loss can be described as a tangible and interpersonal one (Valentine 2006; Winokuer & Harris, 2012). To Parkes’s model of grief, I was afflicted by complications as I was dealing with the emotional pain of loss and was suffering from severe grief (Parkes 2009).

Then, I researched methods to deal with the loss and felt guilt and anxiety, but it appears that I failed to deal with the loss successfully since I was not able to fully accept the loss. Parkes’s theory was based on Bowlby’s Attachment Theory that I chose to apply to my situation as well. According to Bowlby Attachment Theory, describes the loss that results from breaking up the emotional bonds that connect individuals, and the method of dealing with grief includes stages like denial and shock, protest dismay, re-organization, and anger (Corr and Corr 2007; Servaty Seib 2004).

I was amazed when I realized the importance of breaking bonds, and protested the situation but tried to alter it and communicate with my friend. However, I was in dismay because I was not able to do so and decided to cease contemplating the loss. This is why the phase of the reorganization was not completely felt to me and I am confident that I am at this point even today.

The other model I have applied for my losses is called the Dual Process Model. It’s also founded on the principles of Attachment Theory, but it is based on the principles of Attachment Theory, but it lets you rethink the stages of grief in terms of the individual’s ability to come back from a loss. Stroebe Schut and Schut (2008) identified “loss orientation” as well as restoration orientations in the process of grieving and I would like to say that I followed the loss orientation’ for a lengthy period, but it is only now that I can forget any negative thoughts about the incident and to accept my new relationships to adhere to the restoration orientation’. To me, Stroebe as well as Schut’s Dual Process Model is the best way to tell my story of dealing with loss.

In examining my experience of loss by examining the theories of both contemporary and traditional as well as my personal experience I’m able to state that these findings are crucial to guide my approach to counseling. The reason for this is that I have recognized the importance of the final phase in grieving models. Theorists claim that all individuals go through the same phases when dealing with grief. The phases of loss acceptance, the process of reorganization, or restoration can be discussed as crucial to ensure that the person has handled the grief fully. So, in my practice, I pay a lot of focus on helping my clients grieve their loss, recognize the emotions that accompany them, comprehend the importance of organizing their thoughts and ideas about losing, as well as employ the correct strategies.

A career in Clinical, Counseling, Forensic Psychology

Career

Career in Clinical, Counseling, Forensic Psychology

Abstract – The paper presents self-assessment results obtained by using the O*NET Interest Profiler instrument related to forensic careers from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. The paper also outlines the career opportunities for master’s, bachelor’s, and doctoral students. Based on self-assessment findings it has been made an educational program that takes into consideration specific interests in the workplace and recommends the career path of a counselor, clinical or forensic psychologist. The report also suggests the future direction of education planning and job-related research in the areas of counseling, clinical, as well as forensic psychology.

Career and Interest Self-Assessment Results

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (2000a) has created a specific tool that can be used to identify “identify the strongest work-related interests” of an individual (p. 1.). The tool is based on the RIASEC spectrum, which categorizes work-related passions into six categories which include realistic, investigative creative, social, entrepreneurial, and conventional (U.S. Department of Labour, Employment and Training Administration 2000a).

ForensicThrough this tool, I discovered that my top interests in work are in the field of investigation (10 scores) in addition to interpersonal (9 scores). Therefore, my most important focus is on investigation This means that I like activities that require more thought than physical effort and emphasize my desire to solve diverse problems, rather than engaging in regular interactions with others. It is evident but my second focus is on social. Indeed, I love being of service and believe that helping others is among the most crucial factors when considering the importance of the job. Based on the information above factors, I can think this combination of scientific knowledge and applications in the real world is an ideal choice for my future job.

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (2000b) recommends that when it comes to exploring my potential career I should consider the “current job zone” and “future job zone” (p. 4.). My current job has been designated as Zone 2. Zone 2, for which the experience of employees’ professionals could be useful, but isn’t required. With my college-level knowledge of psychology, as well as social and investigative interests, I could perform the duties of the emergency medical technician as well as a lab technician for clinical and medical laboratories as well as a funeral assistant (U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration 2000c,2000d).

To determine my next job zone I will choose Job Zone 4 or 5, which requires extensive or substantial preparation and experience and the masters or doctoral level. I’m thinking of such careers as a clinical psychologist, forensic scientist, and counselor psychology (U.S. Department of Labour, Employment and Training Administration 2000c,2000d).

A self-assessment of my interests at work has confirmed that I have chosen the correct path to pursue my education since my interests align with my future job as a psychologist.

What can I do with a degree in Psychology?

Graduates who hold master’s, bachelor’s, or doctoral levels in the field of psychology are eligible to work in a range of fields of work. Doctoral and master’s degrees do not require the need to be employed in an academic environment. If the graduate is granted the state’s special license, they can be therapists and run private practices (Kuther Morgan and Kuther 2012). Other than the obvious professions in the areas of counseling and clinical psychotherapy, school psychology criminal and legal psychology as well as other fields. Students who have completed their studies in psychology might be employed as commercial, business, and management resources consultants (American Psychology Association n.d.a).

This number of options for employment could explain the reason for this because psychology is concerned with human behavior, motivations, and mental and interpersonal skills, that is all that can be used or altered to enhance the efficiency of work.

Do I Have to Go to Grad School and What Should My Undergraduate Degree Plan Be?

At the beginning of this essay in the first paragraph, as a future career, I’m considering the field of forensic psychology, clinical psychology, and counseling psychology.

ForensicForensic Science Technician

Forensic exams are a very popular area of study for psychologists. Forensic examination is a popular field of activity for psychologists. Occupational Outlook Handbook (n.d.) states that technicians working in forensic science “typically need at least a bachelor’s degree” (para. 3.) and that the majority of people “spend their time writing reports” (para. 1). It is apparent that this profession is dull and uninteresting If one considers the fact that a lot of doctoral holders employ forensic experts to conduct sanity tests and sanity tests, it is clear that this job has potential to be exciting and rewarding (Kuther and Morgan 2012). I believe that the specialty is in line with my love of research and my desire to search for answers to complex questions.

Furthermore, I believe that this profession provides a tremendous benefit to individuals as it aids in uncovering the truth about controversial topics that have an impact on our lives. In this field, students in the undergraduate program can take classes such as psychological theories such as social psychology, psychological psychology, psychological terrorism as well as psychological warfare (American Public Universities System n.d.).

Clinical and Counselling Psychologist

Self-assessment has proven that my main interests in my job include research and social assistance. Psychological counseling and clinical are the areas of expertise that relate to these areas of interest. Kuther as well as Morgan (2012) declare that clinical psychology refers to “the integration of science, theory, and practice to explain and understand, predict, and alleviate psychological problems and distress, as well as promote healthy human development” (p. 20). Counseling psychology is similar to the clinical version but with the distinction that it is focused specifically on “helping people improve their well-being across the lifespan” (Kuther and Morgan, 2012, 211). 21).

It is the American Psychological Association (n.d.b) declares that the independent practice of psychological counseling and clinical psychology “requires a doctoral degree and a state license” (para. 9). Students can pursue doctoral degrees having only a bachelor’s degree but it is advised to pursue a master’s level degree before applying. In these areas, students can select courses such as psychopathology, biopsychology, and independent study of psychological research (American Public University System n.d.).

I Need to Know More

The most fascinating aspect of the research was the discovery of the field of forensic psychology. The most striking and intriguing aspect of this discipline is that there aren’t many courses where students can get all the required details. Experience in the field during postdoctoral or predoctoral training is essential for those wanting to become professionals. This is a wonderful illustration of the integration of the sciences and practices in one’s profession.

After establishing my professional interest in counseling, clinical, and the field of forensic psychology, I’d be interested in knowing more about the experience of those working in these fields. The textbook for the course provides much information on the theoretical aspects of these branches of psychology, however, it’s the practical knowledge that I am most interested in. So, I’d suggest starting by studying the works of counselors, and clinical and forensic psychologists like Henry Lee, David Wilson, Valerie Jenness, John Dombrink as well as Margaret Rombone.

Loss and Grief Studies in Psychologist‘s Career