Essay about the family therapy centers
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cftcpresentation.pptx_.pptxCouples and Family Therapy Center
2200 169th Street, Hammond, IN 46323
(219) 989-2027
History
The Master’s Program in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Purdue University Calumet (PUC) was created with the philosophy of the scholar/practitioner model, emphasizing theory, research, and practice. Our initial goal was to produce master’s-level clinicians who would not only be highly competent beginning professional family therapists, but also have the core skills to stay on top of the literature and research in the field for the rest of their careers. Because of this, we emphasize the reading of primary-source literature, the completion of a quantitative master’s thesis, and the integration of theory and research in the practicum experience.
The PUC MFT Program accepted 6 students for its first class in fall 1990. Four of those students received their bachelor’s degrees from PUC and the other 2 were Indiana residents. With the second class, the Program began to accept out-of-state and international students. The Program is one of 6 COAMFTE-accredited MFT master’s programs to require a thesis (Karam & Sprenkle, 2010; Sprenkle, 2010). Because of this, the Program’s emphasis on primary source material, and rigorous integration of theory and research into clinical practice, many applicants view us as a good preparatory
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Couples and Family Therapy Center Website
Agency Goals
The Purdue University Calumet Couple and Family Therapy Center is a training facility of the prestigious Purdue Calumet Marriage and Family Therapy program, which attracts students nationally and internationally. We provide couple, family, and individual therapy to area residents and university students, faculty, and staff.
We are a university training facility where therapy and student learning occur together. With a low faculty to student ratio, our interns are able to receive consistent supervision of their therapy, enhancing the quality of counseling.
Scope of Services
The Couples and Family Therapy Center (CFTC) works with individuals dealing with many different issues and even works with the local courts to provide assistance with:
Court Mandated Substance Abuse
Court Mandated Anger Management
Court Mandated Co-Parenting
Other topics the CFTC deals with are:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Encopresis
Bi-Polar
Anxiety
Transgender
Affairs
Communication
Stress
Depression
CFTC Source of Funding
The CFTC is funded through Purdue University Calumet.
Clients of the CFTC are charged based on a sliding fee scale.
Scale is $5 to $60 per session based on W-2
Roles
Observe different sessions conducted by the interns.
Complete assessments of clients.
Observe a class supervision.
Provide feedback to interns of things I observed in session and supervision.
Filing and organizing client folders.
Assist with children of clients if needed.
Promoting with CFTC.
Answer phone and conduct intakes.
Scanning documents.
Read and maintain knowledge on different types of theories used by interns.
Supervisor
Dr. Hecker is my supervisor.
She is the Director of the Couple and Family Therapy Center.
She is a professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program as well as the Department of Behavioral Sciences.
She is also an author of at least ten books.
Dr. Hecker is so knowledgeable about the different theories and ways in which theories apply to clients. She does such an amazing job of having the interns answer their own questions.
When we meet for our 15 minutes she always asks how I’m doing and gives me time to discuss anything I’d like. It’s refreshing to have a supervisor that is concerned about her staff/interns.
How I Compliment the Staff
I compliment the staff by observing their class and providing feedback. I have a different perspective than most of the interns that are involved in the program. They look at topics and have a better educated guess than I do, but I look at the topic and just ask questions about their opinions which sometimes gives them different ideas.
I work with Miss Joyce, who is the secretary for the CFTC. I assist her with filing and scanning documents.
I also work with the interns. I get to observe their sessions from behind a one way mirror and give them ideas or suggestions on how to approach certain conversations, specifically with veterans.
Climate
I believe that all of the inters/students that are in the MFT program genuinely enjoy what they are doing. They are so motivated to have conversations about things they don’t understand. It’s so refreshing to be surrounded by students who aren’t afraid to speak up and admit if they don’t know or understand something.
Everyone is sensitive to each person. They are all “people” people, which can be exhausting. Self care is something they really focus on at the CFTC. Most classes do a daily check in to see how each of the students are doing.
Having such a small cohort is beneficial in the experiences that the students have.
Placement Rating
Phenomenal! The individuals that work, learn, and intern at the CFTC are amazing to be around. I strongly encourage people to look into interning there.
Encouragement and the comfortability of the site makes it such an amazing atmosphere to work and learn.
There are quite a few things to learn when you first start, but you pick up a lot of great information along the way. It really made me sure that I want to be a therapist.
Skills
Improved
Theory understanding
Answering Phones
Assessments
Observing
Note Taking
Professionalism
Communication
Self Care
Need Improvement
Body Language
Facial Expressions
Patience
Note Taking
Confidence
Self Care
Handling Pressure
I thrive under pressure. When it comes to completing all of the assessments from the interns, I am really good about completing them in a timely fashion, but sometimes when there are a lot and I can’t get to them right away it really bothers me.
I feel as thought I would really struggle being in the actual room with a client if it became awkward. Sometimes there is an unusual dynamic with clients which I wouldn’t be able to handle.
Self care is what I need to focus on when it comes to dealing with pressure. I’ve learned a great deal from all of the interns on this topic.
Changes I would Implement
Visibility on campus is what I would target if I was seriously involved with the CFTC. Brainstorming ways to get the CFTC better recognition within the university and the community would be a goal of mine.
Getting a new and updated building would really help the program advance and grow further.
Career Goals and Direction
I absolutely love the idea of assisting people with bettering themselves. There are so many different ways to approach issues and I was completely unaware of a lot of them.
Being at this site has really helped me realize that this is what I want to do with my life. It was an honor to be around like minded people who just want to help people and see them succeed.
This allowed me to watch some amazing success stories and see how much of an impact I can have on someone's life in a different way.
I can’t wait to apply for my Master’s program.
Positive and Fulfilling Experience
This was, hands down, the most fulfilling experience I’ve had since I started college.
