9. Research Skills Skinner’s Designer Walkers This presentation will introduce to you the many fashionable designs of walkers. Designers Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, & Ralph Lauren have joined to contribute their personal talents to design walkers to suit every personality. The looks of the ordinary walker will no longer be… Klein’s Shades of Denim: Calvin Klein has been an involved New York fashion designer since 1968. His logo CK, can be found on many items, from boxers to eyeglasses (Fashion infomat, 2009). Klein has now extended his talents to the mobility challenged consumer and hope to keep them in fashion as they utilize their walkers. Klein and his team of designers caught casual look of the walker in shades of denim. The product is still made of aluminum tubing with beautiful shades of blue to blend in for a nice stroll in the park. In addition to these features, the walker is lightweight and folds up nicely. This walker will look like an accessory and not a necessity.
10. Research Skills continued Donna Karan has been in the fashion design business since she was a little girl in Queens, New York. Her father was a tailor and her mother a model. Her talents in clothing and accessories are seen in blouses to purses. Karan is an advocate to the modern woman’s needs (Fashion infomat, 2009). This now includes the woman who needs help with her mobility. Karan says, “Why can’t the woman do it in style?” Karan’s “Bold Universal” is for the multi-tasked woman. The walker can be used with one hand or two hands. The colorful aluminum tubing is in true DKNY style, with bright neon yellow and bold red. Along with this product, please check out our line of matching handbags that are made especially to cling securely to your universal walker. The busy woman will have no mobility problems with the use of this uniquely designed walker. Ralph Lauren is mainly known for his incredible clothes designs, with product lines such as Polo/Ralph Lauren for Men, Ralph Lauren for Women, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Home, and even Ralph Lauren paint (Fashion infomat, 2009). Lauren has joined our team and has once again outdone himself, by designing a walker that has the looks of this fashion icon’s style. Lauren has designed “The Professional,” a walker for the professional business woman/man. It is a standard walker with sleek, black aluminum tubing. It has a canvas, 2 pouch overlap in the front, with a slot to keep your cell phone. Other overlaps are available to accommodate a laptop if needed. The canvas is also available in pinstripe to add more to your business attire.
11. Research Skills continued Skinner’s Designer Walkers and the Future Mary Skinner has just touched the surface of expanding her line of designer walkers. We are now in the process of negotiations with Diane Von Furstenberg and Oleg Cassini. All these designers have one goal in mind: To bring beauty to your abilities, not disabilities. References Fashion infomat, (2009). Who’s who. Retrieved March 21, 2009 from infomat.com Web site: http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/calvinklein.html Fashion infomat, (2009). Who’s who. Retrieved March 21, 2-009 from infomat.com Web site: http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/donnakaran.html Fashion infomat, (2009). Who’s who. Retrieved March 21, 2009 from infomat.com Web site: http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/ralphlauren.html Medical Products Direct, (2009). Merry Walker, Merry Therapeutic Walker. Retrieved March 21, 2009 from medicalproductsdirect.com Web site: http://www.medicalproductsdirect.com/mewamethwa.html Walgreens, (2009). Universal walker. Retrieved March 21, 2009 from walgreens.com Web site: http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100932&navAction=jump &navCount=0&skuid=sku1585055&id=prod1585066
12. Communication Skills Interviewing a Disabled The Americans for Disability Act (ADA) defines disability based under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. There are three focuses included in this definition: (1) physical or mental impairment that limits daily function, (2) history of the impairment, and (3) is considered as possessing the impairment (DBTAC, 2009). The act centers in on what resources are available to the disabled. The three areas of focus are the basics to rights of the disabled (Argosy University, 2009). ADA defines physical impairment as any kind of physiological condition or disorder that affects the nervous system, special senses, respiratory, speech, cardiovascular, reproductive system, digestive, urinary/genital, lymphatic system, endocrine, or skin. ADA explains mental impairment as any psychological disorder, retardation, brain dysfunctions, emotional disorders, or learning disabilities (UHH, 2000). The ADA is clear in what is to be considered a disability. I applied this information to an interview I had with John. John is 69-year-old retired man on disability due to the loss of his leg 21 years ago. John is also a diabetic, which led to complications in his health and resulted in a below the knee amputation. He claims that the only discrimination he experiences is the stares he gets from strangers. It bothered him years ago, but he has gotten used to the looks. One point he made was the children he meets. They have no fear and will ask him blunt questions about the loss of his leg. He loves to tell them that he lost it wrestling a lion in the jungle. He loves when children look and stare, because its life and they should be exposed to it. John hates when the parent will scold the child for staring, or clutch them closer (personal communication with John Yenyo, 2009, March 11). Further, in the interview, I asked John if he was aware of his rights being disabled. He was aware, because 21 years ago he had a family to support. He needed all the assistance he could get. I got the impression that he had put the ADA, Social Security Disability benefits, and all the laws compiled together as one act. However, he was aware of two specific areas of the ADA; public transportation and accommodations. He never had to use the bus, but thought it a wonderful idea when he read about the wheelchair lifts added to them. John also raved about restaurants having to accommodate people in wheelchairs. He stated that twenty years ago you never saw that many wheelchair ramps at diners. Now they have to have it (personal communication with John Yenyo, 2009, March 12). It appears that the Rehabilitation Act has come a long way in the line of progress.
13. Communication Skills continued References Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center. (2009). What is the ada: definition of disability. Retrieved March 12, 2009 from adata.org Web site: http://www.adata.org/whatsada-definition.aspx Argosy University, (2009). Federal laws, state laws, idea, and ada. Retrieved March 12, 2009 from Disabilities PSY420 XA Web site: http://myeclassonline.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=3340062& Survey=1&47=4674086&ClientNodeID=404511&coursenav=2&bhcp=1 University of Hawaii at Hilo, (2000, January). Fact sheet: americans with disabilities act. uhh.hawaii.edu Web site: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/uds/udsfiles/disability_definition.pdf
14. Ethics & Diversity Awareness Ethical Standards The first thought was in regards to the counselor. I would think he/she would not be in practice long if his intention was to convert every non-Jehovah’s Witness that came into the office. In the first meeting with the counselor, Janice will explain her concerns, because the counselor will be interviewing her in understanding what treatment would be most effective with her. Ethical standards/codes are utilized so that the professional will not obstruct the growth of values a client will give (Argosy University, 2009). According to APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, ethical standards are categorized as (APA, 2003): 1. Resolving Ethical Issues: Janice’s concerns in regards to imposing someone else’s religion is an ethical issue that will need to be addressed in the intake interview. The interview will put all the cards on the table before treatment will begin. Is this case right for the counselor? On the other hand, does Janice want to pursue such a relationship despite her religious convictions? Resolving such an issue may result in the beginning of the referral process (Argosy University, 2009). Since there are no other local therapists, Janice may still consider traveling to the city for the referral. 2. Competence: The counselor will discuss with Janice the boundaries of his competence. Which means that he will take on her case, only if his expertise allows it (i.e. education, training, experience). 3. Human Relations: Counselors do not participate in unfair discrimination and this includes religion. Unbiased opinions should be part of treatment. Therefore, the counselor would explain that imposing his own religion would be unethical and is not a plan of treatment. Counselors also avoid putting harm on their clients. For that reason, Janice should feel comfortable confiding in the counselor and not worry about him/her disclosing personal and confidential information about her. During the interview, the counselor will introduce the informed consent. The consent’s purpose is to inform the client of what will be expected of both of them and how treatment will be conducted. This is where all of Janice’s concerns should be addressed and clearly resolved.
15. Ethics continued 4.Privacy and Confidentiality: Keeping the privacy and confidentiality of the client is the utmost obligation a counselor could have. Janice needs to understand and be aware of such a standard. The counselor will explain that the only time that he/she may disclose information, will be when harm on the client or others is suspected (i.e. thoughts of suicide). 5.Advertising and Other Public Statements: Janice’s does not really pertain to such a standard, however awareness would not hurt. This standard involves public endorsements, brochures, printed matter, directory listings, etc. False, fraudulent, or deceptive statements would not be disclosed. For example, a professional would not treat a client that works at a radio station, just so he/she can get free advertising. 6.Record Keeping and Fees: Also during the informed consent meeting, Janice will be told about how her record will be maintained and kept confidential. In addition, fees of the sessions will be discussed and billing arrangements. 7.Education and Training: This standard does not pertain to Janice’s issues. It regards that the professional will continue to meet educational requirements for credentialing, practicing, and teaching. 8.Research and Publication: This standard involves research proposals, the research, and any publications that are a result of the research. If a client’s informed consent will be used in such a research, then the client will be so informed. 9.Assessment: Professionals discuss their opinions in recommendations, reports, and diagnostic statements (including forensic evidence). Assessment and interviewing techniques are used not just for research, but also for appropriateness of applying them. The scoring and assessments results are kept confidential. Janice would be informed that if such an assessment will be suggested, then the counselor would maintain security of the materials.
16. Ethics continued 10.Therapy: While Janice is oriented to the informed consent, a therapeutic relationship/rapport will help her decide if this counselor is right for her. The informed consent explains the nature of what will be expected throughout the duration of the therapy (i.e. individual, family, group). Before the end of treatment, Janice will be reminded of the termination of therapy. The therapy standard involves much from what is discussed in the informed consent. The therapy holds the consistency of the informed consent. In other words, there are no surprises in treatment and Janice should feel comfortable in knowing that. When a professional uses these standards, he/she is not just utilizing it to regulate conduct, but also to be readily prepared for situations. By keeping to these guidelines, the professional will be able to react in an ethical way that has worked for professionals before. Ethical standards are important to a client’s progress because (Argosy University, 2009): (1) they help control how professionals behave with a client (2) they help serve as a basis to a professional’s principles (3) they aid in the mission and goal of the counselor/therapist (4) they help form the guidelines necessary for the professional to handle an ethical situation References Argosy University, (2009). Ethical Codes. Retrieved January 12, 2009, from Ethics in Psychology PSY430 UA Web site: http://myeclassonline.com. APA, (2003). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved January 12, 2009, from apa.org Web site: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code2002.html
17. Foundations of Applied Psychology Scenario: Kevin likes to think of himself as a hardworking person who does not give up. On the contrary, if he is honest, this is more the way he wants others to view him instead of an accurate description of what he is. Joan, on the other hand, is a talented artist. Despite many compliments, she believes that her talents are average. Both Kevin and Joan have a hard time coming to grips with what is true about them. In order to understand the self-assessment, I will construct two lists of statements. One list will depict my real self and the other my ideal self. Real Versus Ideal In identifying who I am, I must first distinguish what characteristics I hold to be true and to be ideal. Rogers referred to the organismic valuing process as an evaluation of a person’s experiences. Through this evaluation, the actualizing tendency becomes apparent, which is the driving force that makes everyone a unique person (Hergenhahn, & Olson, 2007) The following are two lists of statements. One list will depict who I truly am as a person. The other list will show who I would like to be as a person.
18. Foundations continued Real Self I am a loving mom with concerns of well-being. I am a daughter who cares for her mom. I am obese and do not try hard enough to lose weight. I cry for no apparent reason sometimes. I am diligent in my academic studies. I am spiritual and try everyday to do selfless acts of kindness. I spend little time paying attention to myself. I call my dad in New York at least three times a week. I get compassionate and supportive when others are sad. I am constantly concerned with financial burdens. I am in remission from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I mourn the death of son in a healthy way. When I look upon my daughter, I am always amazed and grateful that I am her mom. I treat every child I meet, like they are my own. I am impatient when stress is peaking. Ideal Self I want to be a mom with an answer for everything. I want to be a daughter with balance between time spent with my mom and myself. I want to have the will power to diet and the motivation to exercise more. I want to be happy without taking Lexapro. I want to be a psychologist and help others through hard times. I want to extend my spirituality to others and become more involved in my church. I want to pamper myself once a month (i.e. hair, nails, shopping). I want to visit my dad and spend a month with him. I want to be able to give words of wisdom, when they are needed. I want to be able to worry about simple things in life and not face things as a crisis. I want my health to never interrupt my daughter’s and my relationship again. I want my son to be with me, so I may see him develop into man. I want my daughter to have anything and everything she wants in life. I want to be a mom to every child in Zimbabwe that has been orphaned because of AIDS. I want to be patient with anything that comes my way.
19. Foundations continued The commonality that the two lists share is the focal points of my life. Such as health, perceptions, roles, disposition, and emotional status. Some of my ideal statements are far-fetched (i.e. adopting children in Zimbabwe, to see my son), but they depict my personality. Even if the real self is sufficient, there is still the desire to improve. For example, I know I am a loving mom, but I also know that with each day I can make changes and choices to improve my daughter’s life. We each live in our own little world, Rogers refers to this as phenomenological reality. We are aware of what is going on around in the world, but it does not effect us directly. Therefore, we each go on in our worlds, taking care of what needs tending to. My real self represents my phenomenological reality. The ideal self enhances my self-concept in a positive way. The ideal self statements show positive regard for my self. Though I do receive all the warmth and love I desire in my real self, it is human to desire more (Hergenhahn & Olson, 2007). Rogers describes incongruency when a person does not use his/her organismic valuing process in determining their actualizing tendency. If they do not use their own valuing process, then they use someone’s introjected values, which are the basis for one’s self-regard. Therefore, if my real self and my ideal self were not similar, then I would be an incongruent person. If my real and ideal self is similar then I am a congruent person (Hergenhahn & Olson, 2007). However, it is impossible for both sides to be exactly alike (Rogers, 1959; as cited in Pescitelli, 1996). I do find some similarities on both sides of the statements. Therefore, I see a tendency toward being congruent. Nevertheless, I do believe I sit on the fence with this assumption, because of my depression diagnosis. I also believe that I can be more of a congruent person if I continue doing what I am doing (i.e. use my CPAP machine, take my Lexapro, graduate from college). One particular action I plan on taking is to seek counseling for my depression and dealing with my home situation. In dealing with my home situation, I am looking into professional caregiving services for respite. References Hergenhahn, B.R., & Olson, M. H. (2007). An introduction to theories of personality . New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Pescitelli, D. (1996). Rogerian Therapy. Retrieved October 16, 2008, from Personality & Conscience Web site: http://pandc.ca/?cat=carl_rogers&page=rogerian_therapy
20. Interpersonal Effectiveness Fostering Positive Attitudes Toward Aging Introduction We all have concerns regarding aging, cognitive changes, and intelligence. This paper will suggest a program and a specific activity, which I would recommend to others and myself. The activity will oppose the fears about losing sharpness of mind or faculties during the aging process. The Program There are many programs in keeping abreast of our concerns in health, education, and community. However, many do not realize how much stress can be an impact on our cognitive faculties. If there were more stress management programs available, people would more ways to cope with the everyday stressors that can inhibit our cognitive abilities. Wellness centers are located all over the states. When we think of wellness, we think of good physical health. However, there is more to wellness than just being in shape. Wellness is a process of taking responsibility and making wise choices in regards to a healthy lifestyle. It has also been known to be an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Optimal health can be achieved by keeping a balance with 8 dimensions (University of Miami, 2007): a. Spiritual Wellness: finding value and purpose can result in optimism, happiness, and gratitude. b. Social Wellness: promotes a healthy environment, encourages effective communication and respect within the community. c. Physical Wellness: this is more than exercise. It is making good choices regarding nutrition, physical activity, sexuality, rest, and using certain things in moderation (i.e. alcohol, sweets, drugs). d. Intellectual Wellness: by keeping curiosity and the desire to learn, one can sustain good health in all areas. It fosters clear thinking and recall, to have independent thinking, being creative and critical.
21. Interpersonal continued e. Environmental Wellness: by being aware of the Earth and how it effects your daily life. It gives balance to beauty and nature so that one can be more harmonious with their environment. f. Emotional Wellness: by learning how to cope with our emotions constructively, we can be realistic in dealing with situations. When a person is emotionally well, there are self-aware and self-accepting. g. Cultural Wellness: is respecting your own beliefs and accepting the diversity of others and their beliefs. It can foster understanding, tolerance, compassion, gratitude, and respect. h. Vocational Wellness: understanding who you are and what you can do; can be a true asset to your community. By finding your desires, you can contribute to others your skills and challenges to improve yourself and the world. The Activity All of the above dimensions have wonderful activities that help expedite their purpose. However, the activity I propose will include spiritual, social, physical, and emotional dimensions. The activity will attempt to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit. Emotional stress has been linked to illness since ancient times (Belsky, 1999). Because stress is a major factor in cognitive abilities, the activity should provide techniques to manage stress in everyday life. My recommendation would be relaxation technique. This activity can be done with any age group. Of course, children would need more enticement and incentive. However, let us assume that it is a group of 10-12 adults, ranging in ages from 18 to 50. They are all there with the same goal in mind, to find a way to deal with their stressors of life. The objective is to share ways to deal with stress, use your social skills, cope with emotions and at the same time be able to repeat the activity alone on your own. There are a few techniques that some are familiar with to become relaxed, such as deep breathing, focusing on a mental picture, muscle relaxation, and meditation (Help Guide, 2008). However, this activity will bring all of these aspects together to create an optimum relaxation technique.
22. Interpersonal continued Starting in a circle, the group may all sit in chairs or Indian style on the floor. A leader will go step-by-step with the relaxation techniques. The first steps are (Help Guide, 2008): a. Close your eyes and put one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. b. Breathe through the nose (hand on stomach should rise and hand on chest should move little). c. Exhale through the mouth completely (hand on stomach should move and hand on chest moves little). d. Continue this method of breathing. Once the leader feels that the group has mastered this breathing technique, he/she introduces the next activity towards relaxation. By creating a mental picture in your mind, a person can find some escape from reality. The visualization, which is also termed guided imagery, is a form of meditation that aids in relieving stress. The group is instructed to imagine a scene that makes them feel at peace and at ease. A place where there is no tension or anxiety (Help Guide, 2008). The group attempts to imagine their peaceful place with vividness and their senses. The group is instructed to describe to themselves the sights, sounds, smells, and touch. Giving ample enough time for the group to envision their own sanctuaries, the next technique is introduced. When relaxing a muscle, tension is released. A technique called progressive muscle relaxation focuses on slow tensing and relaxing of muscles. The leader will ask the group to concentrate on the toe muscles (tensing and relaxing) and continue up to the head and neck muscles. Each tensing should last five seconds, with relaxing for 30 seconds, and repeated (Mayo Clinic, 2009). At the end of these activities, the group should feel more at ease with their surroundings and converse on how they are feeling. These techniques can be done anywhere, which is the beauty of it. The next time Joe is being reprimanded by his supervisor, he can return to his desk and envision himself on a beach or begin tensing and relaxing. Either way, it is a better way to deal with the stressors of life.
23. Interpersonal continued Short-term & Long-term Goals In order to foster positive attitudes toward aging, we must understand that one day we will also be that age. By changing our views now we can promote continued personal growth and self-actualization. Thomas, Martin, Alexander, Cooley, and Loaque (2003; as cited in Argosy University, 2009) suggested three ways to view old age: 1. Changing the view to be more positive and not look upon aging as being powerless. 2. Fostering a proactive approach, this brings awareness that you will be old one day too. This may promote life changes that will benefit you in your later years. 3. Understanding that the older generation is not helpless and want to learn takes away the negative beliefs. For example, senior citizens are willing to learn how to send an email to their grandchild. In analyzing these views, I see a long-term goal can be set in understanding that it can happen to you too. By imagining yourself in someone else’s shoes and walking around in them for a while gives more self-awareness and self-actualization. Another aspect of such an image can give a person suggestions for lifestyle changes. For example, eating right, planning for retirement, or spending more time with family, can be a few positive attitudes towards how they approach their own aging process. References Argosy University, (2009). Psy 306: Module 3 readings . Retrieved March 17, 2009 from http://myeclassonline.com. Belsky, J. K. (1999). Psychology of aging . Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing. Help Guide, (2008). Stress relief. Retrieved April 3, 2009 from http://www.helpguide.org/ Mayo Clinic, (2009). Relaxation techniques: learn ways to calm your stress. Retrieved April 3, 2009 from http://mayoclinic.com/health/relaxation-technique/SR00007. University of Miami, (2007). What is wellness? Retrieved April 3, 2009 from http://wellness.med.miami.edu/x80.xml.
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25. Future continued Stress plays a role in promoting susceptibility to illnesses and diseases. For example, the nervous system can be affected by stress. The nervous system consists of the brain, spine, and the nerves. It reacts to external stimulus, which is called homeostasis. The nervous system monitors stress of the body, if it fails a person could have problems with walking, talking, pain tolerance, and other things. Planning for retirement should include methods and techniques (i.e. meditation, yoga, breathing exercises) of how I will manage stress to continue my energetic lifestyle (Whittle, 2007). Mary’s Dad-to-Day Itinerary About 20 years ago, my mother and step dad moved into Colony Cove, a 50 plus park community. I fell in love with all of the involvement the park offered. The amenities included a pool, sauna, clubhouse, marina, woodworking, dances, and bus trips to the beach. Other activities were workouts in the gym, tennis courts, fishing, picnic pavilion, and a library (RetireNet, 2009) . In addition to a cariety of activities, I included most of my desires for my retirement. Analyzing the itinerary, I included 3 different types of lessons. Lessons in tennis, jet skiing, and golf can be costly. Therefore, I would have to compensate for this within the next 5 years before I actually retire. Possibly, saving 20 percent of my annual income, instead of the usual 10 percent. The itinerary also includes sedentary activities, such as crafts and the book club. Keeping my mind busy with my hands is healthy and rewarding. Another factor is the inclusion of my relationship with my daughter and my family. This itinerary seems busy, but productive. My retirement will be filled of things that I want to do and not what I have to do. The itinerary also demonstrates of using time effectively. Included in in a healthy lifestyle is physical care, mental care, and spiritual care. The spiritual care is not mentioned in the itinerary, because it is a private part of my life. It is a spiritual life that I enjoy with my higher being and myself, which I think is exceedingly healthy. References Argosy University, (2009). Psy 306: Module 5 readings . Retrieved April 5, 2009 from http://myeclassonline.com. Ankrom, S., (2009, January 12). Maladaptive behavior . Retrieved April 5, 2009 from http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/glossaryip/g/MaladpBehavior.htm Whittle, A. (2007, March 27). How stress affects the nervous system . Retrieved April 5, 2009, from http://ezinearticles.com/? RetireNet, (2009). Colony cove hometown america. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from http://www.retirenet.com/community/276-colony-cove-hometown-america/
26. Contact Me Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio. For further information, please contact me at the e-mail address below. [email_address]
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