A summary of my undergraduate experience at Argosy University.

1. 1 Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio Jennifer Vollman Psychology, 2011

2. Personal Statement The most common reason that students pursue an upper level education in psychology is that they want to help people. Although the main reason, and probably the most self fulfilling reason that I want to become a clinical psychologist is to help people, there are other factors that contribute to my desire to become a clinical psychologist. My professional experience, my desire to learn about other cultures and ethnicities, as well as my personal attributes all contribute to the reasons I want to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. My professional experiences is another key factor in why I want to earn a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. After completing two unpaid internships of 350 hours each, and sitting for a test, I was granted my CADC. I have been working in the field of substance abuse for the past year. I work at The SHARE Program, in Hoffman Estates, IL as an intake counselor for the substance abuse treatment program. I conduct phone screens with people who are interested in coming in for treatment, and I do intake assessments for people who are being admitted to rehabilitation. I have learned so much through working at SHARE about the field, about myself, and about what I want my future educational goals to be. I learned that I want to continue my education and become a psychologist, because I have found that many of the clients that come in for substance abuse treatment have other underlying mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar. I want to attend graduate school and attend a doctoral program for clinical psychology in order to learn more about these disorders so that I can be of service to these types of clients. My desire to learn about other cultures and ethnicities has played a large part in my interest of becoming a clinical psychologist. Throughout my undergraduate education, I have learned about the similarities and differences between people who are from a different culture than the one I belong to and myself. I have learned about prejudices that I may have had, as well as how to work past them in order to help and understand people from groups that I may have been previously ignorant to. I have also learned how to be culturally sensitive to people who have different rituals than mine, such as differences in eye contact and body language. This has helped me in my professional life as well as my personal life. I yearn to continue to learn about these aspects of other cultures so that I may better my communication skills with people who come from different life styles or have different values and beliefs than mine. Some of my strengths are that I have great communication skills, strong crisis intervention techniques, am hard working, ambitious, and insightful. These are all attributes that I am able to use to my advantage when I am learning as well as working with others. My personal experience, my professional experience, my desire to learn about other cultures and ethnicities, as well as my personal attributes all contribute to the reasons I want to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. I do think that I have a calling to learn and work in the field of psychology. I think that my personal attributes would add to my success as I continue to be passionate about psychology, keep an open mind, and remain teachable.

3. Resume WORK EXPERIENCE: 1. Substance Abuse Intake Counselor August 2010- Present SHARE Program- Leyden Family Service, Hoffman Estates, IL Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facility I am a full-time substance abuse intake counselor for substance abuse clients who are seeking Level I, I.5, III, and III.7D treatment. I work 40 hours per week. I conduct phone screens, intakes, urine analyses, and assessments. I work with a variety of substance abuse clients and assess them to see if they meet criteria for level of care at SHARE by doing a phone screening with them. I work with other behavioral health agencies such as Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health in order to help case-workers at these facilities find placement for their substance abuse clients. I have trained new intake workers. When a client comes in for an assessment, I give them a urine screen and a breathalyzer. I also ask them a variety of questions using different interviewing techniques in order to gather as much information from them as possible so that I can provide the proper level of care for them. I also work with family members on occasion to help them to get their loved one with substance abuse issues into treatment. Lastly, I document notes in the data-base and put charts together for clients. 2. Substance Abuse Counselor June 2010- August 2010 Schaumburg Interventions-Schaumburg, IL Methadone Clinic I was a part-time counselor for substance abuse clients who want to detoxify from heroin using methadone. I worked 20 hours per week. I conduct intakes, assessments, individual and group counseling. I work with heroin addicts on their harm reduction skills and to help them to remain free from all AOD substances. I use the CBT model and motivational techniques to create relapse prevention plans and help my clients to form goals for themselves to change their old using and addictive behaviors into new healthy coping skills. Excellent documentation, strong crisis intervention techniques, motivational interviewing skills, great communication. 3. Substance Abuse Residential Tech for Men and Women May 2010- Present SHARE Program- Leyden Family Service, Hoffman Estates, IL I was a residential milieu technician for substance abuse clients and worked to provide a therapeutic environment for the clients. I worked 16 hours each week. I monitor, observe, and ensure the safety and well-being of clients in a substance abuse treatment program. I provide motivational and educational support and guidance to assist them in meeting therapeutic goals. I schedule and coordinate client transportation and assist with planning client recreational events. I support treatment plans by reporting client observations and contributing to decisions concerning therapy, such as discipline and privileges. I also pass out medication to female clients as needed/prescribed during dosing times. Strong crisis intervention techniques, great boundaries, excellent communication skills, efficient in documentation, good motivational interviewing.

4. EDUCATION:Argosy University/The Illinois School of Professional Psychology | Chicago, IL I am currently enrolled at Argosy University (The Illinois School of Professional Psychology) as a full time student working towards my Bachelors Degree for psychology. My anticipated graduation date is March 2011. Triton College | River Grove, IL I graduated with my Associates Degree in Applied Science at Triton College in December 2009. My long-term educational goal is to obtain my Psy.D. in psychology. I am currently applying to graduate school programs and studying for my GREs. CERTIFICATION:CADCCertification No. 28837January, 2010 IAODAPCASKILLS:Proficient in documentationExcellent communication skillsStrong crisis intervention techniquesHONORS & AWARDS:Member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society 2009-2010

5. Reflection Section 1a: Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking : Given a psychological issue, employs skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach. 2 = Significant Exposure Able to choose from and appraise a wide range of psychological perspectives and theories within written and oral presentations. • When presenting (in written work or orally), can illustrate multiple perspectives on a given topic. • Able to analyze the complexities of a given issue. Section 1b: Cognitive Abilities: Information Literacy: Given a research question related to psychology, accesses information from a variety of sources and select appropriate sources to respond to the question. 3 = Extensive Exposure • Able to collect and arrange information from a variety of sources pertinent to the chosen topic, integrating reasoned appraisals of such information into the work of a project in psychology. Section 2: Research: Understanding Research Methods: Given an article about research findings in the field of psychology from a scholarly journal, identifies the research design and statistical tools used (including research design, data analysis, and interpretation), and the findings of the article. 3 = Extensive Exposure • Able to correctly summarize the research design, statistical and other evaluative tools, and findings of the article. • Able to use sound reasoning as a basis for criticizing the research results.

6. Section 3a: Communication Skills: Oral: Effectively presents psychological concepts orally as appropriate to the audience. 3 = Extensive Exposure • Possesses extensive ability in creating, organizing and delivering oral presentations. • Exhibits the ability to design, develop, and defend appropriate levels of organizations and clarity of presentation, thus allowing the listener to following the line of reasoning. • Exhibits the ability to design, develop, and defend appropriate level of presentation for audience, correct use of grammar, word choice for precise meaning. Section 3b: Communication Skills: Written: Effectively presents psychological information, in writing, using software and style appropriate to the audience. 3 = Extensive Exposure • Exhibits the ability to develop and apply appropriate levels of conciseness and clarity in content, language use, grammar, organization using APA formatting. • Exhibits the ability to develop, apply and defend a particular stance related to psychological concepts in written work. Section 4a: Ethics: Identifies the issues and challenges related to ethics in the field of Psychology. 3 = Extensive Exposure • Effectively engages in ethical thinking and action, evidenced by the ability to articulate best- practices pertaining to case examples and/or other specific problems associated with the field. • Recognizes more subtle breaches in ethical practices in psychology and can construct alternative analyses and choices of behaviors. • Claims ownership over the prescribed ethical principles for the field, and works to promote ethical decision-making and activity accordingly.

7. Section 4b: Diversity: Identifies the issues and challenges related to diversity in the field of psychology. 3 = Extensive Exposure • Effectively engages in multiculturally-sensitive thought and action, evidenced by the ability to articulate best-practices pertaining to case examples and/or other specific diversity issues and populations associated with the field. • Recognizes more subtle forms of discrimination and prejudice within and around psychology and can construct alternative analyses and choices of behaviors. • Claims ownership over personal biases, and works to increase awareness and respect for diverse populations. 5. Knowledge of Psychology: Recognizes the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, applications, and historical trends in psychology. 3 = Extensive Exposure • Exhibits consistent recognition and exceptional comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, applications and historical trends in psychology or within a specific area of study in the field. • Able tosynthesize and evaluate various psychological theories, and apply them to explain everyday events and experiences. 6. Knowledge of Applied Psychology: Applies psychological principles to personal, social, and/or organizational issues. 2 = Significant Exposure • Demonstrates a consistent understanding of how psychological principles apply to issues and situations at a personal, social, and/or organizational level. • Consistently applies psychological principles in his/her everyday decision-making and interactions with others, in the news, and in organizations s/he comes into contact with such as schools, workplaces, and places of worship and recreation.

8. Section 7: Interpersonal Effectiveness: Active Listening Communication Skills: Develops and improves positive relationship skills via effective communication, respect for others, appreciation of diversity and cultural sensitivity, and awareness of their impact on others. 3 = Extensive Exposure • Able to consistently and effectively apply active listening communication skills in interpersonal and organizational scenarios to establish empathetic, collegial relationships that facilitate consensus building in working toward common goals and is appreciative of diversity and culture. • Able to consistently analyze the importance of effective nonverbal communication skills in developing strong interpersonal and organizational relationships that are culturally sensitive and respectful of diversity. • Actively solicits and utilizes feedback to develop adaptable strategies of facilitating dynamic interpersonal and organizational relationships. • Consistently & actively demonstrates an understanding of the impact of technological advances on communication within interpersonal and organizational relationships. • Consistently demonstrates strong utilization of effective communication and relationship skills in order to promote the growth of others and effect change.

9. Box.net Please see Box.net on my LinkedIn Profile in order to see my work samples for these topics: Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Research Skills Communication Skills: Oral and Written Ethics and Diversity Awareness Foundations of Psychology Applied Psychology Interpersonal Effectiveness

10. Critical Thinking PSY360 Cognition and Learning Week 1_Assignment 4 Stroop Effect Access the CogLab Demonstration: Stroop Effect from the Online Laboratory and refer to page 7 of Concept Maps and CogLab Online Manual. Complete the demonstration. Consider the role of automaticity in this scenario – it is inherent for a driver to react to the bottom light of a traffic signal by accelerating. What are the effects of this practice on the Stroop Effect? When considering the role of automaticity in the scenario of the driver reacting to traffic lights, I feel that it is inherent for the driver to react to the bottom light of a traffic signal by accelerating. The effects of this practice on the Stroop Effect is that people are reacting to the location of the lights, not their color. If I went to another country where the traffic lights were organized differently with the same colors, I would be extremely confused. I understand the confusion of the drivers who accelerated when the bottom light turned red. How could the Stroop test be applied in other settings? For instance, how could police officers use the Stroop test as a measure of alertness? Consider and present clinical applications of the Stroop test. The Stroop test could be applied in other settings. Police officers could use the Stroop test as a measure of alertness by changing the color or shape of a stop sighn. They could have the sign still say stop, but the color and shape difference would confuse people. People would have to be really paying attention in order to be able to recognize that they are supposed to stop. How could you use the results of the Stoop Effect to effectively teach primary colors to a young child? How does a person’s reading level impact this process? The results of the Stroop Effect could be used to effectively teach primary colors to a young child by coordinating the words with the right color. That way, the child would associate the spelling and pronunciation of that word with the visual image of that particular color. A person’s reading level impacts this process because if an individual did not know what the words green, red, or blue meant or were, they would not have the same confusion as someone who does. This is because they would not recognize the word or its meaning, and would therefore be able to focus on the color. Someone who knows what the word means and what the color is, would have to separate the two in order to answer the question correctly.

11. My Future in Learning My future as a lifelong learner begins with me. It starts with my attitude. As long as I keep an open mind and remain teachable, I will always learn new things. I will learn not only through my graduate education, but through my personal and professional experiences in life as well. There is always something to learn in every life experience.

12. Contact Me Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio. For further information, please contact me at the e-mail address below. Sober.jenny@gmail.com