Statement of Purpose for Masters in Counseling Psychology Family

Welcome!

Take a look at my "Statement of Purpose" for the University of San Francisco Masters in Counseling Psychology, concentration in School Counseling, program. This short essay outlines my reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology from USF along with my experience and skill ready every bit it relates to the program. Although slightly intimidating to beginning this essay and admissions procedure as a whole, it wasn't hard to speak on something that comes from my centre. So in maxim that, staying true to myself made the admissions process that much easier.

"Living in a childhood without a sense of dwelling, I found a identify of sanctuary in 'theorizing', in making sense out of what was happening… I learned from this experience that theory could be a healing place."
–Bell Hooks

I truly believe that earlier nosotros can even begin to piece of work with youth, nosotros need to take a look at our own starting point and where we are coming from. I am not referring to our background or our histories, although these are definitely primal in our work with youth, however, I am suggesting that we accept a deeper and honest look at the question, 'Why do y'all piece of work with youth?' Request ourselves this question before we begin to piece of work with youth is essential because without reflecting on the "why", how can we even begin to appoint with youth in an honest regard? When I ask myself this question, I find my answer to be rooted in "love" and "pity". Without a uncertainty, I work with youth because I genuinely care well-nigh their overall well-being. Whether it is regarding cocky-awareness, self-development, identity prophylactic, bookish support, or meeting bones needs, my piece of work with youth ever has and always volition come from a place of love. For me, honey and pity are two central values that guide my practice because in every moment, program, or situation that I appoint in with youth, I always strive to come from a place of love in order to all-time back up them. In the aforementioned respect, the Academy of San Francisco's School Counseling Program as well embodies these ii values, which is i reason why I became so interested in the program and believe it to be a great fit for me. Through this program, I promise to learn the skills needed to build an overall school culture that starts with love and compassion. There are several schools that perpetuate systems of disempowerment and control that but enforce a power struggle between youth and adults as well as the thought that "youth demand fixing". If we can root our schools in love and compassion, then we can send youth a new and welcoming message where students are validated, empowered, loved, and connected.

In order to build an effective, positive school culture, which fully supports our youth, not only do we need to come up from a place of love but we likewise demand to build trusting relationships with our students and their communities. Through its focus on community empowerment and respect for diverseness, the School Counseling Program demonstrates this arroyo, which I completely support equally being a vital footstep in effective engagement with youth. As an undergrad at UC Santa Cruz, my Community Studies field written report took place with a multi-racial, youth led system called Youth Together. Through this experience, I learned how to build trusting relationships with youth and their communities, who were unlike from my ain social location and customs. Although a difficult process to be considered an "outsider" and strive to work for justice inside a customs I was non initially welcomed in, I learned to go an ally and someone the organization could hold accountable. First, I had to meet the students, community, and system where they were at before fifty-fifty outset to bring together in on their struggle, which proved to exist the most effective approach. In always staying true to my center, learning when to step up and when to pace back, proving I could exist trusted through consistency and making myself available, I so was considered part of the organisation and struggle. Not merely did I conclude my field study as "part of" the organization only I also continue to communicate with several of the youth and adults I worked with, which I believe to exist a truthful testament of my ability to build trusting relationships with others. Through the School Counseling program, I hope to learn tangible skills to piece of work cantankerous culturally with under-served youth and families, interim every bit a trusted bridge between the school and customs past developing culturally centered, empowerment programs to make this a reality. In addition, I hope to farther develop my skills as an ally, trusted adult, and advocate for youth and then that I can provide the proper supports, referrals, and interventions co-ordinate to their needs and cogitating of their comfort with me.

Beloved, pity, and trust are all values that are important to me when working with youth and are what guide my practise overall. However, I would not be truly invested in this work if I did non include disinterestedness and community also. A historically disenfranchised community, youth are constantly facing systems that disempower them. To move even further from this, is the fact that our youth from underserved communities face additional barriers. My prior experience working with high schoolhouse students involved coordinating multiple youth development programs to non only provide students with the infinite to voice their opinions regarding these school-customs problems but to also build the skills necessary to overcome them. Through my programs, students developed a sense of self awareness, community with i some other too equally their school-community, and noesis regarding injustices, which empowered them to develop their vision, practice decision-making, practice judgment and grow in leadership. In addition, I consistently connected my students to community programs, resource, and family events with the overarching thought of supporting our students in multiple ways. With the School Counseling Program focused on problem-solving and disinterestedness for all students, I strive to develop the skills and experience needed to get an constructive, critical school advisor that uses a multi-faceted approach in working with students to receive the disinterestedness they, their families, and community deserves. By providing counseling, mentoring, social emotional support, referrals to community and school based programs or resource, and overall existence an advocate for them in the diverse institutions that may disempower them, I hope to be an effective change agent at schools for our underserved youth. With the theoretical noesis and experience I have gained thus far, coupled with my own unwavering bulldoze to take my work with youth to the adjacent level, I feel that I am a great candidate for the School Counseling Plan. I would be honored to represent the University of San Francisco and continue the legacy of justice, respect for diversity, and customs information technology embodies. Thanks for your consideration.

• Nearly
• Latest Posts

Shannon Smoot

Shannon Smoot was recently admitted into the University of San Francisco Masters in Counseling Psychology Program with a concentration in Schoolhouse Counseling. She volition begin her graduate studies and internship fieldwork Autumn 2014.She holds a BA Degree in Community Studies with concentrations in Youth Evolution, Youth Empowerment, & Youth organizing from the University of California, Santa Cruz.While an undergrad, Shannon interned with the Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall and conducted her field study with a multi-racial youth led organization in the Due east Bay called Youth Together. Afterwards her studies at UC Santa Cruz, Shannon landed a job every bit the Youth Development Coordinator for Menlo-Atherton High School and coordinated a Peer Education Squad, Youth Informational Board, Freshman Compass Leadership class, among others. When her piece of work as the Youth Development Coordinator for M-A High Schoolhouse came to a halt due to a loss in state funding, she was thankfully able to find employment with Youth Customs Service equally a 180 Degree Life skills Communication Class Facilitator and Youth-Leaders Almost Change Director, both at Yard-A. Shannon is extremely passionate about youth vocalism, youth-adult partnerships, and justice bug every bit they relate to youth. She is likewise especially interested in identity safe work and working to create safety schools for the LGBTQ community.

tannerthisper.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.counselingpsychology.org/why-chose-masters-counseling-psychology

Share this post