I want to counsel adolescents who have addictions or who are in juvenile corrections. I know that it is a huge task and very very challenging, and at times i will see no change or see how i have made any difference in the lives of my patients, but i would risk any hint of self gratification to see change in at least one persons life. I want to help guide them back onto the path they veered off.
When im in the shower i think a lot! Its a moment of solitude that sometimes i dont get. I was thinking of the ways that i could help that ohers have not done before. Being a counselor has many ethical boundaires. How do i change lives within boundaires? How do i show these adolescents that they are heading down a bad path without compromising those ethics and my job? I think id want to do something drastic to open their eyes. Thats what teenagers need..confrontation and a hit in the face with reality. I most think id want to take juveniles to a larger prison and have them sit with men who were once in the same places as they were, maybe to a cemetary where a family will tell them how their loved one died living the lifestyle that the teen is..even for addicts too. Maybe visit a morgue or funeral home, they see many people come through and they can give some insight as to how many deaths they see from over doses and drug misuse, or from participating in criminal acts. I think that if i were in their positions i would never want to do bad things again…but then again some people have a hard time changing habits…So why not show them good habits? Why not show them how to spend their free times so that they are bettering their lives and the lives of others? Taking them to a homeless shelter and allowing them to serve as well as speak with the people who live there. Maybe a halfway house where addicted mothers are trying to get back into society or maybe exconvicts. Maybe volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, building houses for those who are less fortunate. I want not only to counsel but to show them how. I can always say..go to this place and volunteer…but what will that do? Most will say, “why dont you?” So doing it alongside them while counseling them about emotions and thoughts during the process might be much more effective…..
So many ideas in my head! Now the task will be to find a way to accomplish all of these!
AshleyKay 