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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Johnishau L. HerringBA of Psychology, 2011

Personal Statement

I have always been a big believer in the statement, “the children are the future.” So, it goes without saying that everyone should be doing their part to help ensure the success of our children. For this reason, I decided to major in Psychology with an emphasis on Child Psychology specifically. My strong-willed, determined, and caring personality makes me a good candidate for a career with children. The extreme love and passion I possess for protecting our youth can only lead to positive results.

Before pursing my degree in psychology, I researched the different areas of psychology and child psychology was the area that appealed to me the most. I knew several people that had bad childhoods (for various reasons) and they were pretty much ruined by that. I began to notice that when things go wrong, they would automatically place blame on the fact that they endured terrible things as a child. I feel that bad experiences should be the motivating factors in a person’s mission toward success.

Challenging, yet rewarding, deeds are fulfilling to me. I like the idea of the challenge of being able to help children in the worst situations overcome their problems. The cases where recovery seems impossible will motivate and urge me to work harder and hopefully do the same for that child. The reward of it all will be watching the “damaged” and “dysfunctional” children leave all counseling programs happy, free of burden, and capable of living productive lives.

In addition to being a Child Psychologist, I want to be a Child Advocate. Child Advocates act as the voice child that have been abused and neglected. They ensure that the rights and needs of the children are being met by everyone involved, to included parents and other family members, social services, courts, and more. Working in the hospital, I see abused and neglected children in the emergency room occasionally. I have seen the fear in their eyes; yet, there is nothing I can do to help (as of now). In order to gain experience and expertise with these types of children, I would like to volunteer (and one day work) at an orphanage.

I will be graduating soon and will therefore have my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. I am immediately starting graduate school and pursuing my Master’s, since this is necessary in order to really do anything with a psychology degree. Eventually I would like to go further and obtain my doctorates as well. In addition to that, I think Master’s Degree in Social Work would be a beneficial additive in my desired field of Child Psychology. Advanced degrees in both psychology and social work should set me apart from most other child psychologists. The social work aspect will also provide another aspect of child advocacy, as social workers are an essential part of the child safety realm.

Since I currently work as a pharmacy technician, I do not have any direct experience with working with abused and neglected children. I merely get an occasional glance and some behind the scenes information of sporadic cases that happen to come into the hospital where I work. I do though know firsthand what it feels like to be the child of an alcoholic parent. From my own experiences, I was able to use my mother as an example of what I was not going to be. That helped me to go in the right direction, despite any emotional abuse that I may have suffered as a child. But in order to increase my knowledge on how child abuse and neglect can linger on into adulthood, I plan on working with adults for a while. This will allow me to learn the potential outcomes of abuse when untreated or not treated appropriately so that I can be able to perfect my methods of treatment. I am truly eager to complete my studies and begin saving and speaking for innocent children.

Resume

OBJECTIVETo obtain a challenging position in a high-speed environment. SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Skilled in all aspects of medication preparation and pharmacy operationsExcellent knowledge of medications/pharmaceuticalsStrong communication skills and computer experience (Windows, Word and Excel based operating systems,

software applications) WORK EXPERIENCE 2009 – Present Baylor Medical Center Garland Garland, TXPharmacy TechnicianUtilize computerized pharmacy system and administrative and documentation proceduresDeliver medications to various nursing wards throughout hospitalFill automated dispensing machines (Omnicell)Fill narcotic orders for floorstock and patient specific medicationsMonthly inspections of nursing wards and dispensing machines for medication outdatesPreparation of IV medications according JCAHO standards and regulations

Resume cont’d

2008 – 2009 Methodist Medical Center Dallas Dallas, TXPharmacy TechnicianUtilize computerized pharmacy system and administrative and documentation proceduresDeliver medications to various nursing wards throughout hospitalFill automated dispensing machines (Omnicell)Fill narcotic orders for floorstock and patient specific medicationsMonthly inspections of nursing wards and dispensing machines for medication outdates 2008 Peninsula Institute for Community Health

Newport News, VAPharmacy TechnicianFill both written and electronically entered medication ordersUtilize computerized pharmacy system and administrative and documentation proceduresCounsel patients on drug interactions, side effects, etc.Complete paperwork for destruction of expired medications    

Resume cont’d

2006 -2008 Martin Army Community Hospital Ft. Benning, GA

Pharmacy TechnicianFilled both written and electronically entered medication ordersUtilized computerized pharmacy system and administrative and documentation proceduresMaintain strict narcotics controls according to hospital and military regulationsCounsel patients on drug interactions, side effects, etc.Conduct clinic inspections for different hospital wards and complete paperwork for

destruction of expired medicationsLoad and unload Pyxis machines on various wards

2003 - 2005 Officemax, Inc.

Austin, TX2002 - 2003

Norfolk, VADesktop PublisherCreate documents (including forms, flyers, brochures, etc.)Copy, bind, laminate and collate documentsCustomer service and checkout

Resume cont’d

EDUCATION 2004 – 2005 Huston-Tillotson University Austin, TXMajor: Biology 2002 Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OHMajor: Biology MILITARY 2006 - 2008United States Army (Active Duty) Fort Benning, GAPharmacy Technician 2006United States Army Reserves Camp Mabry, TXMedical Technician 2003 -2006United States Air Force Reserves Lackland AFB, TXPublic Health Technician

Reflection

I have tremendously enjoyed my experience at Argosy University. I have learned more than I could imagine. One of my favorite classes would have to be Maladaptive Behavior and Psychopathology. This case allow the students to act as practicing counselors by providing care for a fictional care week after week. Each week a new issue arose and another was conquered. We got to propose solutions and treatment ideas. A close second would be Forensic Psychology. As a whole, all of the courses were challenging and extremely beneficial.

What I’ve Done at Argosy University

The end is near…but here are some samples of my work…

Table of Contents

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

Research SkillsCommunication Skills: Oral and WrittenEthics and Diversity AwarenessFoundations of PsychologyApplied PsychologyInterpersonal Effectiveness**Include work samples and projects with a Title Page and

organized accordingly to demonstrate each of the Program Outcomes above

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information LiteracyInformation Literacy

Applying Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies

During the therapy sessions with Codrina, the counseling techniques I would use are Beck’s reattribution technique and behavioral techniques. I would use the reattribution technique to her Codrina “find other possible causes of events” (Argosy University, 2011, p.14). This may allow her to find some closure for why certain things happened in her life. I would also use behavioral techniques, like breathing exercises, to learn how to become more relaxed. Relaxation can assist my client with learning to handle situations without causing anxiety or insomnia. These techniques are perfect for Codrina’s progressive and success.

Research Skills

Negative Long-term Effects of Child Abuse

Unfortunately, child abuse is an epidemic that only seems to be increasing in the number of victims and occurrences. According to national statistics, in 2009 “approximately 3.3 million child abuse reports and allegations were made involving an estimated 6 million children” (Child Help, 2011, ¶1). I chose to research the long-term effects of child abuse for my literature review paper because this is a very important matter. Also, I will be focusing specifically on abused and abandoned children when I become a Child Psychologist; these children need special attention in order to ensure that they will be able to live a normal, healthy life “after the storm.” Although they have no control over the hand that they are dealt, they can control whether or not they allow their circumstances to define them.

Communication Skills: Oral and Written

Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-4-A-CHILD

Coalition Against Child Abuse & Neglect. (2010).

What Is Child Abuse? Retrieved on November 21, 2010 from http://www.ccanli.org/whatis.htm.

State of America’s Children

With justified sadness, child abuse and neglect has become an unfortunate epidemic in the United States. The number of reported cases of abuse and neglect are close to, if not already past, one million per year. In addition, abuse and neglect related deaths are becoming increasing familiar as well. Presently, five or more children are dying every single day as a result, whether direct or indirect, of being abuse in some shape or form. There has also been an increase in child suicide. The United States makes up a gigantic portion of the child abuse cases throughout the world with a startling figure of 905,000 reported cases in 2006 alone. Several studies and interviews have proven that a large number of children have reported severe abuse, some physical, mental, and/or sexual, which results in drug and alcohol use, depression, and a variety of other issues during adulthood. Abused children sometimes lack good social skills. Abused children may be more withdrawn than usual and sometimes lack the ability to communicate with others effectively; either the child will be shy and scary-like or mean and aggressive, both of which can be defense mechanisms.

What is Child Abuse?

Although there are many formal and acceptable definitions of child abuse, the following is offered as a guide.

Child abuse consists of any act of commission or omission that endangers or impairs a child's physical or emotional health and development. Child abuse includes any damage done to a child that cannot be reasonably explained and is often represented by an injury, or series of injuries, appearing to be non-accidental in nature

It Shouldn’t

Hurt To Be A

Child…

Have the need to control everything and everyone? Wash your hands repeatedly? Taking several showers a day? Are you biting your nails, picking scabs and pimples, pulling you hair out? David, age 7, had a compulsion to walk 6 steps forward and 3 steps backward. This did not seem harmful. One day David reported that he was crossing the street as usual, and when he walked backwards a car had started to turn… and almost ran him over.

Real Psychology. (2009). Warning Signs of OCD. Retrieved on May 26, 2010 from

http:/ /www.realpsychology.com.

Ethics and Diversity Awareness

Grandma’s Recollection of Slavery

Racial discrimination is a terrible and hurtful thought. Even though I have never seen someone hanging lifelessly from a tree or beaten to near death, the stories of these things told from the mouth of my grandmother sadden me. Unfortunately, from birth it was imprinted and constantly bashed into her mind that “Blacks were not only different but inferior” (Robinson, 2008). African American families were had so much to worry about, one thing being whether or not today would be their last. Naturally, family life was extremely difficult. She tells a story of how her brother was viciously beaten for no reason at all. He was walking home and was attacked with baseball bats and rocks, in addition to being kicked, punched, and stomped on. Then, he was left on the side of a dirt road to bleed to death.

Foundations of Psychology

Comparison of Freudian and Skinnerian Theories

Sigmund Freud and B. F. Skinner were on opposite sides of the theoretical spectrum in respects to their views on crime and human psyche. For example, Freud believed that “the unconscious contains all those drives, urges, or instincts that are beyond our awareness but that nevertheless motivate most of our words, feelings, and actions” (Feist and Feist, 2008, p.25). On the other hand, Skinner felt that “examining the unconscious or hidden motives of human beings was a waste of time, for the only thing worth researching was outward behaviors” (All Psych Online, 2003, ¶5). With such drastic differences in these theories, it may be difficult to provide a sufficient “referral concerning a person who has been assaulted and comes to your clinic for treating a phobia of leaving the house” (Argosy University, 2010).

Applied Psychology

Kip Kinkel Preliminary Report

Even though Kinkel’s psychologist agreed that he was depressed, this may not be enough to be acquitted of the crime. He was completely conscious and aware of his actions. To prove this, Kinkel wrote in his own words in his journal that: “As soon as my hope is gone, people die” (Ramsland, p.2). He knew exactly what he was going to do.

I would definitely advise the defense to plead guilty. With all of the evidence against him, and trial would be a waste of time and resources; especially since he confessed to the crimes, as well as the intent to commit the crimes in his personal journals.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

The ATF and the Branch Davidians Standoff

Belief is to have faith in the unseen, without any physical proof. This is such a strong force, especially in regards to religion. Billions of people practice their selected religious beliefs based solely on faith. In most religions, the God that is worshipped and praised is not a physical being, but a Holy Spirit. Typically, these beliefs are passed down through families starting from childhood. For example, if as a child your family was Baptist, then more than likely, as an adult you will too be a Baptist. Unfortunately, the Branch Davidians are the total opposite. This heart-wrenching tragedy involved many people, including children, to believe in something that ultimately led to their demise.

My Future in Learning

Learning is definitely a lifelong process. Especially in a field such as psychology where new research unveils new disorders and diagnoses all the time. In order to remain educated and knowledgeable in my field, I will keep up with new research while effectively retaining the basic foundations of psychology. As with any profession, there are always a variety of educational advancement opportunities like educational retreats and conferences.

Contact Me

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mail address below. jlherring@stu.argosy.edu