[humanser] Please Respond

[JD Townsend]

Hello Renee,

That is what this list is for, asking those questions.  Hopefully we can 
share our experiences as blind therapists of all stripes.

I am certified in my state to provide clinical supervision for clinical 
social work and for mental health counselors.  At this time it happens that 
one of my supervisees is blind, so I'm seeing the situation from several 
viewpoints.

Your first task is to locate a site for your internship.  This is easier 
said than done.  You are seeking a clinical position and will need direct 
supervision.  Most find this within a community mental health service. 
Within my area the choices are limited, with more services available for 
children than for adults.  MOst agencies want the supervision to be with one 
of their staff, so your choice may be made for you in this situation.  Some 
folks have found a private practice situation where a licensed professional 
is available and willing to provide supervision.  And, a few have found 
themselves providing mental health services within a not-for-profit agency, 
for example in an agency servicing folks with intellectual deficits.

My advice:  take one step at a time, realizing that life itself offeres 
challenges and that you are an adept at finding flexable means to answer the 
problems that will arise.  It is that confidence that we are able that moves 
us to excel.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Renee Pavlus
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 2:32 AM
To: humanser at nfbnet.org
Subject: [humanser] Please Respond

Hello Group:
My name is Renee Pavlus. I have been a member of the NFB for more then
twenty years.  I need some feed-back and assistance.I have recently
completed my graduate courses accept for one at Argosy SLC. I must
work under supervision for 1000 hours before graduating. Originally I
was to graduate this month, but, because of the internship issues I
must complete the 1000 hours, in addition taking the Practicum and two
Internship courses which will relate to the clinical requirements set
by Argosy to graduate to be able to sit for the first licensure
testing. Of course, after graduating I must work for 4000 hours under
CMHC standards to independently license.
I could use some support at this point. The issues involve blindness,
for I am totally blind; I am older, in my late fifties; and have
several other minor disabilities to deal with which will not affect my
ability to work.
I need to connect with a clinitian who has supervised, or who has gone
through supervision who is blind and is using blindness skills to
complete clinical work and other things like paper work, case
conceptualizations, reading files, etc. Learning is wonderful, but
getting in the trenchs is so much more important at this time; along
with connecting with a supportive supervisor. I must complete at least
500 hours direct work with clients, families, or group work within the
supervised program; so I can't take any social service type of
employment at this point and time unless it connects with clinical.  .
If any one has experienced similar issues  or can give me some
concrete answers please contact me by email, or call me (801) 3735028.
I do appreciate any assistance available. I have not connected with
supervision, or a payed position as of today, but am working hard to
do the correct things to secure hours, (payed or non-payed). I did
very well in graduate school; this being my second Masters program,
the first one in the 1990s didn't prepare me to directly license, this
program has been designed specifically to prepare me to take the
license testing (CMHC) after graduating.
Thanks so much. Any support would be so appreciated.
Renee

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JD Townsend LCSW
Helping the light dependent to see.
Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System