1. 1 Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio Jeanette Mireles BA in Psychology, 2010

2. Personal Statement After my first psychology course Psychology 101, my thoughts on psychology went form interest to passion. It wasn’t a gradual change it was more of a sudden light bulb that flickered on and I then realized what I want to do for a career. The specifics were never really there, but the facts that were known were; I was drawn to gaining knowledge of why we as humans are the way we are and that I wanted to become a sponge so I can be more than mediocre to any other individual who has studied psychology. I consider my intellectual abilities are above par and my communication skills good and improve every day. Although, I did not always have good communication skills, it wasn’t until my employment at LA Fitness selling personal training. My tasks involved approaching random gym members and showing them new workouts or fixing their technique. At first I found this difficult considering I was a 4’11 female showing a 6ft 200 plus pound male how to work out. What I gained from my employment there was confidence is key; if I show that I am confident in what I know people will trust me. Trust and communication skills are vital in any employment position and I am proud to say I can provide both to any position I obtain

3. Resume JEANETTE MIRELES 1801 N 83rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85035 480-388-1422 • z07734@hotmail.com DESIRED JOB TITLE Professional Summary PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE LA Fitness • Phoenix, AZ• 11/2008 – 02/2009 Company Description – Fitness Gym Training Assistant Manager Position Description – Sold Personal training improved and corrected technique and workouts American Income Life • Phoenix, AZ • 08/2008 – 11/2008 Company Description – Life & Health Insurance Company Life Insurance Agent Position Description –Sold Life Insurance The Vitamin Shoppe • Avondale, AZ• 01/2007 – 01/2008 Company Description – Vitamin Retail Store Sales Associate Position Description – Provided knowledge of vitamins and supplements. Cashier. Performed Inventory. Open and closed Store EDUCATION BA, Psychology, Argosy University, Phoenix, AZ AA, Pre-Requisites, South Mountain Community College, Phoenix, AZ

5. Knowledge of Psychology

6. Communication Skills (Oral)

8. Research Methods

9. Communication Skills (Written)

10. Ethic and Diversity Awareness

12. Applied Psychology Module 2 Assessment 1 Important Skills Unconditional positive regard is an important skill that a counselor should obtain in order to have a higher chance of their client returning. Not only that, but they must learn how to build rapport between themselves and the client, as well be non judgmental, authentic and empathetic. Initial Anxieties Initial anxieties that I would face would be the anxiety of my youth. I have started out at a young age compared to other potential counselors which can be very intimidating. I not only am young but look even younger than what I am. I can receive validation or comfort through my client by proving myself to them; Proving that I am capable of assisting them and understanding them as well as person senior to me. Confidentiality & Informed Consent Discussing confidentiality with a client when I think there is a possibility of the following occurring would be difficult for me: 1. If the client is in imminent danger of harming himself, herself or someone else 2. If the client is 16 or under and seems to be a victim of incest, rape, child abuse or some other crime 3. When the client seems to need hospitalization Reason being, I wouldn’t want to scare my client away. A part of me would feel uneasy if I believed beforehand that my client could possibly be a victim or involved in some kind of harm toward themselves or others. The client themselves would be less likely to open up if they believed I could possibly disclose the information they gave to me to someone else. Psychoanalytic Therapy Goals When using the Psychoanalytic approach, the main goal according to Gerald Corey would be to “make the unconscious conscious and strengthen the ego” (Corey, 2005, p. 65). Before doing so the therapist must first develop an in-depth understanding of their clients past childhood experiences.

14. Interpretation

15. Dream analysis

16. Analysis of resistance

17. Analysis of transferenceThese techniques will also help the therapist bring light to the clients unconscious. According to Sigmund Freud , the unconscious is one of the most important concepts to Psychoanalytic therapy. Reason being, “the unconscious stores all experiences, memories, and repressed material” which is vital to understanding the cause of behavior and any repressed material (Corey, 2005, p. 58). As a therapist I would definitely use free association because I see it as the client opening up and saying what they want, without holding back. Although, I would be unsure in the beginning of my career because it would be hard to determine if the client is being honest with me. Clients Experience The client will experience little self-disclosure from the therapist in belief that whatever the client feels is a type of projection from the clients past. The client will also be asked to not make any radical changes in their lifestyle until their sessions are ready to be terminated. Development of the transference will also occur in the clients experience with a therapist using a Psychoanalytic approach. The transference is a very important part of therapy because it “allows clients to achieve here-and-now insight into the influence of the past on their present functioning” (Corey, 2005, p. 73). During the final phase a client may be uneasy or resistant about therapy sessions ending, this type of reaction shouldn’t be ignored. If this does occur a therapist would then need to analyze the client and help identify why fears of their sessions ending exist (Argosy University, 2007, p. 8). Desired Outcome The desired outcome of the client is for them to have developed a character change which would allow them to work through their past conflicts as well as their future conflicts.

19. Exploring psychological dynamics in client (assessment)

20. Encouraging development of self-understanding

21. Helping client make new choicesNot only would I practice the four phases but I would also really harp on encouragement techniques. When it comes to Adlerian therapy, encouragement is essential, “ it is the most powerful method to changing a person’s beliefs” (Corey, 2005, p. 101). One key concept for the therapist to know is the birth order of their client. Adler claims that depending on which order you were born is the reason why you obtained the personality you have, which is a good starting point to understanding your client “Adlerian style”.

22. Applied Psychology (contd) Clients Experience The clients experience would include the discovery of their life errors, behaviors, and life patterns. According to Corey clients will also explore “private logic” which is the understanding of self, others and life that their philosophy is based on (Corey, 2005, p. 102). By identify their private logic a client can come to the conclusion that usually their private logic doesn’t coincide with their social living. Desired Outcome The desired outcome would conclude with the client being able to understand their mistakes and errors in not only themselves but in others as well. This would then allow clients to develop their own goals and motivational factors.

23. Applied Psychology (contd) References Argosy University (2007). Counseling theories: Module 2: Psychoanalysis. Retrieved September 19, 2009, from http://myeclassonline.com/ Corey, G. (2005). The Counselor: Person and professional. In Theory and practice of counseling & psychotherapy (pp. 3-52). Belmonet, CA: . Mosak, H. H., & Shulman, B. H. (1988). Lifestyle inventory. Muncie, IN:Accelerated Development

24. Research Skills The Long Term Effects of Adults Children of Alcoholics In 1998, the National Institute on Drug Abuse stated that in the US there are about 20 percent of children that grow up in families that are considered alcoholics (Johnson, 2002, p. 371). Even though a child may grow up in a chaotic and unpredictable life being a child of an alcoholic does not necessarily mean they will become alcoholics themselves. Whether the “alcoholic” in the family is the mother, father or both there is still a likely chance that the child will develop some type of negative effect. Those effects usually follow them to their adulthood or when and if they are addressed. Negative Effects Some of the many negative effects that will be present in adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) are increased risk of substance use, neglect and maltreatment, violence and anger, anxiety, depression, attachment problems along with mistrust and commitment problems. There may also exist mental health problems if the mother themselves was drinking during pregnancy. One of the biggest reasons why these negative effects occur is because the parent is under the influence which inhibits them from providing proper care for their child. Increase Risk of Alcohol Abuse There may be an abundance of research and statistics on ACOA but there is not any significant enough to show they are at a higher risk of becoming an alcoholic. There are many children that believe it is an inevitable cycle that will take hold of them as well. And there are others that refuse to be what they have experienced as a child; this is why it is inaccurate to state that an ACOA will too become an alcoholic. Although, in a study conducted by Lisa Thomson Ross, Ph.D and Elizabeth M. Hill, Ph.D “young adults with an alcoholic parent tended to report drinking alcohol more often in high school, as compared to young adults without an alcoholic parent”(Ross & Hill, 2001, p. 628). Neglect and Maltreatment “There is mounting evidence of a link between child maltreatment and parental substance abuse”, with that type of evidence we can then say it is near impossible for parents to take care of their child or children when they are under the influence of alcohol consistently (Gruber & Fleetwood, 2004, p. 1382). When a child is neglected many needs are not met therefore resulting, in possibly numerous negative consequences similar to attachment, mistrust and commitment issues.

25. Research Skills (contd) Attachment, Mistrust and Commitment Issues When a child is neglected they tend to trust very little; considering the person that is supposed to be in there life the most is not present because they chose alcohol over their child. For the child, knowing that their parent chose alcohol over them can be very damaging and increase trust issues as well as prevent commitment in their own adulthood. According to Larson and Reedy, “it was hypothesized that young ACOA’s would report lower dating relationships quality than non-ACOA’s” which seems to be a logical hypothesis (Larson & Reedy, 2004, p. 292). After conducting the study of having 287 individuals (158 males and 129 females), 95 being from an alcoholic family and the remaining from non- alcoholic families, Larson and Reedy concluded that there exists an indirect negative effect on children with alcoholic families and their dating relationships as young adults (Larson & Reedy, 2004, p. 299). All the while there is a direct negative effect on the process of family with that being said we can then assume that within an alcoholic family there will most likely be a lack of cohesion and communication. Cohesions and Communication As a whole, cohesion and communication plays a vital role in the process of a family. If there is no communication or cohesion the family will just simply be acquaintances to each other. In a study that represents children who participated in the Betty Ford Children’s program during October 2001 through July 2003 Jerry Moe, Jeannette L. Johnson and Wendy Wade (2007) concluded that “we can help them [children of alcoholics] by providing a venue to express their feelings, we can educate them, and we can show them that there are other ways to live”. The results were directly from interviews that were conducted to the children in the program; they themselves felt it was important to express feelings, which is an example of communication and a process important to family functioning. Violence and Anger Throughout research one negative effect that was amongst many articles or studies was aggression. Found in the article by Karen Nicholas and Elizabeth H. Rasmussen (2006) “Externalizing disorders, in general, and interpersonal aggression, more specifically, have been identified as outcomes of growing up in an alcoholic family (Nicholas & Rasmussen, 2006, p. 46). Specifically it is common for children to witness inter-parental violence due to the fact alcoholics can be violent at times more so if they were under the influence which in turn can cause the ACOA as well, to become violent during their adulthood or in their own relationships.

26. Research Skills (contd) Anxiety and Depression Any combination of the negative effects that are caused from being a child of an alcoholic can cause anxiety and depression and maybe even both. Witnessing violence, being neglected and have a lack of communication within their family would give a child more than enough reason to fall into depression as a child and even later in their adulthood. There are numerous studies that will show a significant amount of research that would lead to a commonality between adult depressive disorder and growing up in alcoholic families (Nicholas & Rasmussen, 2006, p. 46). Mental Health Problems During pregnancy one of the most important things to avoid is alcohol but those that are alcoholics may dismiss that precaution, “even low levels of alcohol consumption have been shown to be related to negative development sequel” (O’Connor & Whaley, 2007, para. 1). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is one of the many complications that could occur if there is alcohol consumption during pregnancy. There can be life-long impairments along with neurocognitive and socioemotional development if diagnosed with alcohol spectrum disorder (O’Connor & Whaley, 2007, para. 1). Conclusion Prevailing Arguments The universal issues that seem to be common amongst ACOA are increased risk of substance use, neglect and maltreatment, violence and anger, anxiety, depression, attachment problems along with mistrust and commitment problems. It was also common for the alcoholic parents to not know the whereabouts of their own children. Parents tend to lose sight of what’s important when they are under the influence that being said, they child themselves would and could fill unworthy and less to the substance. Further Development Questions that could be asked to further the development would be the treatment that the ACOA’s may have participated in and if it was a success more specifically, what treatment options where success to adults child of alcoholics in terms of depression or aggression.

27. Research Skills (contd) Relevancy A child of an alcoholic tends to have a chaotic life, with an unpredictable parent or parents. With a chaotic and unpredictable life the child themselves will likely develop some issues that will follow them to their adulthood. To be able to determine what issues could be acquired from such an experience gives great insight to being able to help or treat those children of alcoholics. After discovering some type of treatment then prevention could then be developed which makes this topic so relevant.

28. Research Skills (contd) References Gruber, K., & Fleetwood, T. (2004). In-Home Continuing Care Services for Substance Use Affected Families. Substance Use & Misuse, 39(9), 1379-1403. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pbh&AN=13872058&site=ehost-live Johnson, P. (2002). Predictors of Famly Functioning Within Alcoholic Families. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 24(2), 371-384. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pbh&AN=11304492&site=ehost-live Larson, J., & Reedy, B. (2004). Family Process as a Mediator of the Negative Effects of Parental Alcoholism on Young Adult Dating Relatioships. American Journal of Family Therapy, 32, 289-304. doi: 10.1080/01926180490454665 Moe, J., Wade, W., & Johnson, J. L. (2007). Resilience of Children of Substance Users: In their Own Words. Substance Use & Misuse, 42, 381-398. doi: 10.1080/10826080601142147. Nicholas, K., & Rasmussen, E. (2006). Childhood Abusive and Supportive Experiences, Inter-Parental Violence, Parental Alcohol Use: Prediction of Young Adult Depressive Symptoms and Aggression. Journal of Family Violence, 21(1), 43-61. doi: 10.1007/s10896-005-9001-3. O’Connor, M. J., & Whaley, S. E. (2007). Brief Intervention for Alcohol Use by Pregnant Women. American Journal of Public Health, 97(2), 252-258. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.077222 Ross, L., & Hill, E. (2001). Drinking and Parental Unpredictability among Adult Children of Alcoholics: A Pilot Study. Substance Use & Misuse, 36(5). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pbh&AN=8533611&site=ehost-live

29. Ethics and Diversity Awareness Module 5 Assignment 3 This week, you face ethical dilemmas regarding your interaction with Sabina. You are in the grocery store when you see Sabina and her husband. Sabina spots you behind your grocery cart and your eyes meet. Use the questions below to formulate your answer. Be sure to include references in your reference list. Options There are three possible options to addressing the ethical dilemma, first option would be to completely ignore Sabina or avoid her which could result in Sabina feeling less important then she already seems. Although, since Sabina is with her husband she may appreciate it if she were ignored considering the fact that she feels she needs approval for everything from her husband. Sabina may have the fear that you will disclose what she said about her husband to him even though you know ethically it is wrong and would not do such a thing. The second option would be to say “hi” with no formal conversation, by doing so you can prove to Sabina that she is important and worth saying hi to. The Third option would be to literally go say hi to Sabina and have a conversation with her. Although by doing so you can give the wrong impression to Sabina and have her believing that you are “friends” rather than she is your client and you are her therapist. This can also bring in the husband in to the relationship when it should just be about you and Sabina during this time of the sessions. Sabina Acknowledges If Sabina acknowledge me I would not be disrespectful, I would say hello and make it known that there wasn’t going to be an in-depth conversation. Having an in-depth conversation would give Sabina the wrong impression of a “friendship”, as I stated earlier. By not allowing a friendship it can prevent any future possibility of a dual or multiple relationships. This will prevent you from breaching the dual relationship this is described in Module 5, which “consists of having multiple relationships with a specific client such as being a client and a friend”. This ethical code is also stated in the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct 3.05 (b) saying that it is can cause potential harm to both you and the client (American Psychological Association [APA], 2002, figure 3.05). In my standpoint the right course of action would to avoid contact with Sabina anywhere else other than in session but if it is unavoidable then to treat her with respect but stress the fact that she is just a client and you are strictly there therapist.

30. Ethics and Diversity Awareness (contd) Cultural Background There is a great possibility that Sabina will feel ashamed if acknowledge which is why it is vital to have some understanding for multicultural. Catholics see there “counseling” being done during their confession. The symptoms and feelings that Sabina has may cause to her to feel ashamed because in a Catholics eyes, she is losing faith. I’m sure wouldn’t want others to know that she is getting outside help and not looking to her church community which is another reason why I would avoid acknowledging her in public. Ethnical Issues Having some sort of insight on different cultures and ethnicities is an ethical obligations when being a therapist. Every client that comes through the door has a different life, different childhood, different problems and different ethnicities. Therefore every client should be treated differently depending on their specific upbringing. Being aware of the different cultures will help the progress with your clients and give you an open-minded perspective. If you educate yourself before even coming into contact with a different ethnical client you can also and most importantly identify any biases that you may have with certain cultures or ethnics. It is not likely that you will know everything and anything about all cultures wish is a big reason why you develop the characteristic of growth within yourself.

31. Ethics and Diversity Awareness (contd) References American Psychological Association (2002). . Retrieved Ethical Principles of Psychologist and Code of Conduct, from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code2002.html Argosy University (2007). Counseling theories: Module 5: Ethical Codes & Conduct. Retrieved October 9, 2009, from http://myeclassonline.com/ Corey, G. (2005). The Counselor: Person and professional. In Theory and practice of counseling & psychotherapy (pp. 3-52). Belmonet, CA: .

32. My Future in Learning Learning is a life long process without new ideas and new thoughts, we as human beings slow our brains down. I intend on continuing my education to a Masters level in which I will I be able to contribute with my passion for psychology.

33. Contact Me Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio. For further information, please contact me at the e-mail address below. z07734@hotmail.com