The Fresh College Graduate Wanting to Counsel

Always enjoyed learning about Psychology in all areas from high School on to College Major. Late 80’s on to 1993 College Graduation. Parents always thought was a waste of Education but… College time prior to Graduation I was asked to be the Student Counselor for various face to face Student problems- Physical & Mental.

Later in College I became Algebra English Tutor & and met/ Tutored an older Student Received my Help but also worked in a Mental Health Facility in Chicago & Knew me & what I wanted & got me in- a full year before Graduation. Yes, I lied to the main Manager to get in early. Just don’t tell…

That same early Year I was Hired & given full Duties to start. Full Groups & Single Sessions 5 Days a Week. Charting work shortly after & Medication Management with Staff Floor Nurses & Report to Psychiatrist visits with full Staff Meetings. After Graduation I was given continued Operations but more Intake Patients with different Conditions. Close to 70 Patients were in over the 3 Floors of the Large Building. 2 more new Counselors came in but needed help prior to get going. Also, I ended up called in on Patients with sudden\ planned as for resolution of bodily harm attempts. Always used talks of wanting to change. A Total of 14 Saves over 5 Years! One of the parts of my Life I’m most Proud of.

Again, I was given more responsibility & increased Patient Loads- Around 85. Other Counselors didn’t do as much since I had a degree & desire to help. Had to work with Nurse’s on Medication’s after Psychiatrist’s visit to review Patients progress with me. I disliked lying in Patient Charting but was told that's just how it's done.

After 5 Years with many Groups, Charts, Meetings & specialty operations. I had Counselor Burn Out.

  The Area had just opened 2 Drug Houses & Gang Members shooting at people with small Automatic Firearms. I got caught in between two Gunfire fights & it was my time to bail on Wilson Health Care.

Heard 2 Years after I left The Facility Closed so if I didn’t take off early it would have been 5 years on Site.