This fall Pasadena Villa Outpatient Center-Raleigh is pleased to welcome three master’s level students to our internship program. Our program provides each intern an opportunity to work with an assigned therapist who acts as their Field Supervisor; however, all interns work closely with the other therapists to observe varying approaches. One of the primary goals is for the interns to consolidate their classroom learning with real practice experiences in addition to gaining confidence in the own personal approach. Our interns will serve as a vital part of our treatment team.
Each of them took some time to share a bit about themselves and their plans for their time at Pasadena Villa.
Ana Yrausquin
What experiences in the first part of your Pasadena Villa internship resonated for you?
Many experiences have resonated with me, including self-compassion, DBT skills, Positive Psychology, the dangers of perfectionism, the concept of secondary gain, and the power and role of vulnerability.
How do you think you have changed as a counselor during your time at Pasadena Villa?
I would not be the counselor I am today without Pasadena Villa and the highly competent team I get to work with every day. My time at Pasadena Villa has made me a more competent and confident counselor. I have seen first-hand the subtle art and power of showing empathy while also confronting clients. I have gained experience in documentation, assessments, individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. Being exposed to a variety of tasks has made this a well-rounded and professionally enriching experience for me.
As a soon-to-be new graduate, what kind of position will you be seeking?
I would love to continue working in a PHP/IOP setting with clients experiencing severe and persistent mental illness. The exposure to various areas of counseling work and the ability to interact with other therapists daily are some of the aspects that I enjoy the most. I am excited about the future.
Kayln Daniels
North Carolina State University
What made you interested in pursuing a social work degree?
I chose to pursue social work because everyone matters. No matter the circumstance, everyone needs a voice. From a young age, I knew I wanted to assist those who need it the most. The older I got, the more I realized that elements and values such as diversity, equality, integrity, and the worth of a person were important to me. Searching for a career that would allow me to help those in need, while exercising the values I felt the strongest about, led me to social work.
Given the wide variety of internship choices, what led you to choose Pasadena Villa?
My previous internships were both conducted at inpatient psychiatric hospitals; for my final year, I decided to expand my horizons to outpatient care. As I researched and reviewed the numerous outpatient facilities provided, I found that I resonated with Pasadena Villa, and their treatment modalities the most. I wanted to be a part of a team that is aiding individuals in achieving a healthy and fulfilling life; I believe I have found that at Pasadena Villa.
What do you hope to learn during your internship?
While at Pasadena Villa, I hope to gain the knowledge that will ultimately lead me to become an effective therapist. I hope to become more familiar with various treatment methods, and how to practice them effectively. Most importantly, I want to learn how to contribute to the greater good by assisting those who need it most. I am ready to be challenged in what knowledge I have, and absorbent to all there is to learn!
Ashley Esry
What does being a social worker mean to you?
To me, being a social worker means working with others through the lens of the more extensive system and the world around them, addressing their needs and goals, incorporating the whole person, and understanding their entire world, empathetically supporting and helping connect the client with resources that best fit their needs. I believe it is important as a social worker to advocate for those unheard and work towards both systemic and individual change. I am particularly invested in mental health and wellness, building resiliency skills, and helping others create a life worth living.
In what ways do you think your internship at Pasadena Villa will prepare you for your social work career?
I believe my internship at Pasadena Villa will prepare my career as a social worker by learning how to best support our clients from a holistic perspective. I look forward to learning more about the evidence-based practices utilized including DBT, CBT, ACT, and Self-Compassion, and learning how to incorporate a blend of these modalities to support each client with their individual needs. Already from my first few days, I feel like I have learned so much from both therapists and clients, and I am excited to continue learning and growing not only professionally, but personally as well.
How do you think your internship will enhance your role as a Community Liaison?
Being the Community Liaison for Pasadena Villa has been an amazing and rewarding experience, and I am so excited to work with the clinical team as part of my internship. By being more involved in the therapeutic work, allows me to speak even better to the modalities utilized and the client experience. This interface with the clients also enables me to understand better what they need and use my role as Community Liaison to be aware of resources available to them and connect them with other providers and agencies in the community. I am grateful to be a part of such an innovative and caring team at Pasadena Villa, that truly is changing lives and the community.
