Professional Goals
Personal Goals
My primary goal is to graduate from Clark Atlanta University with my master of arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) so that I can begin providing psychotherapy to young African American boys and girls. As a counselor, I want to build healthy and deep connections with my clients, creating a safe and supportive environment for them to process their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors without judgment.
My second primary goal is to advocate for marginalized communities and promote more equitable access to mental health services. I would love to create an intervention program centered around mentorship and mental health. My program will target African Americans and People of Color from marginalized, low-income neighborhoods ranging from ages 10 and up. I believe if I start at a young age, I can help beat certain odds regarding mental health early. It can show our youth that it is completely normal to seek therapy. This will allow young kids to have somewhere to go and someone to talk to, no matter their situation. They will learn different coping mechanisms to use when life may knock them down. My program will also provide therapy sessions so they have a forum to discuss the things they are dealing with. I would also like my program to provide additional resources for everyone, like a place to eat or sleep, tutoring sessions, teaching kids about life skills, helping those addicted to drugs get off, and helping provide job opportunities for everyone.
A Safe place for children
Counseling Populations/Settings
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Children through Young Adults (10-25)
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African Americans and POC
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Coming from low-income neighborhoods
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Children/young adults who suffer from depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, etc.
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Children/young adults who suffer from substance abuse or have families that have a drug dependency
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Children/young adults who have experienced trauma
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Mental Health Clinics
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Family Therapy Settings
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Private Practice
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Community Centers
I am deeply interested in working in these specific settings and within these particular populations because, as a Black woman who was raised in a marginalized community, I have witnessed how mental health struggles affect people every day. I understand the perspective and feelings that most people in my community hold toward mental health, which is often quite pessimistic. Children and young adults are so used to hearing negative remarks about mental health from older generations, which prevents them from understanding the significance of mental health and recognizing that the different stressors that they experience every day can drastically affect them mentally and emotionally. This is why serving this particular demographic is so important to me, not just from a societal level but a personal one. I want future children to be raised in a world where being in touch with your emotions and having a handle on your mental health does more good than harm. And this shift will lead to a positive effect on the overall quality of lifeline within all communities.
Mental Health Awareness
Credentials
On May 4th, 2023 I graduated from Georgia State University with my Bachelors of Science in Psychology.
To reach my professional goals, I must obtain my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from a CACREP program like Clark Atlanta University. This program will provide me with the comprehensive education and training needed to excel in counseling and meet the standards for professional practice. While obtaining my master's degree, I will have to complete 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours in internships in supervised field experience that will allow me to work with clients and be able to get all of the necessary practice and hands-on experience I need before stepping into the real world on my own as a counselor. Upon completing the master's program, I must sit and take the National Counselor Exam (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). After successfully passing both exams, I will be qualified to apply for my state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in whichever state I choose to practice in.
Counseling Demands
The demand for Clinical Mental Health Counselors is steadily growing due to increased awareness of mental health issues and the need for accessible mental health services, especially within Black and people of color communities. Clinical Mental Health Counseling can be emotionally demanding due to clients facing a lot of mental health challenges. Counselors must manage large caseloads and address issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and relationship issues in their clients. They must also be able to provide their clients with the right tools and resources they need to get better.
Mental Health counselors work in various settings, such as mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, community agencies, family services, correctional facilities, and private practice, which often requires flexible hours. Additionally, Mental Health Counselors must uphold strict ethical and legal standards, including adherence to professional codes of conduct.
While some people may underestimate the importance of counseling, mental health counselors carry a lot of responsibilities. They have to be emotionally resilient as they steadily engage with clients who are in distress. Otherwise, they are at risk for burnout or mental health challenges. Mental Health Counseling is a very demanding job, but it is also essential and rewarding.
References
Gladding, S. T. (2018). Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession (8th ed.). Pearson Education.​
​Dollarhide, C.T., Rogols, J.T., Garcia, G.L., Ismail, B.I., Langenfeld, M., Walker, T.L., Wolfe, T., George, K., McCord, L. and Aras, Y. (2020), Professional Development in Social Justice: Analysis of American Counseling Association Conference Programming. Journal of Counseling & Development, 98: 41-52. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12298
Contact Me
For any questions and concerns you have, please contact me at:
Sharr Samuels, Counselor In Training
223 James P. Brawley Dr Sw,
Atlanta Georgia, 30314
123-456-7890
