Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Interview with Brother Galbraith
Interview with Brother Galbraith
Counselor
What kind of education did you receive and how much?
Graduated from Ricks College with an Associates. ISU BS of psychology and Masters in Counseling. Then worked for about 3 years in Residential Treatment for adolescence. Then through mental health counseling in eastern Montana. Then went to USU got his PHD in Family and Human Development. All along the focus was on Marriage and Family relations. Counseling and in teaching
How many years did it take to get your masters?
2 full years. That was going through the summer as well. 60 credit hours and then 48 elective.
Are there different fields? There are all kinds of areas. People often feel like they are stuck in one area of specialty. You have to be creative it is how you market yourself.
Do you specialize in Masters Programs or do you do it through work experience and internships? Working and experience. You really don’t specialize. You can take electives to start to specialize and also internships. Mostly it is just counseling. That is the major focus! You can take elective classes to help.
Is there a high burn out/ turn over rate? There can be. It can get tiring. It helps to always be learning. When you get in a rut and see the same population over and over. Be careful not to get isolated. Helps to always be learning. Focus on areas you haven’t focused on. Always be expanding and learning so you can work with other population. I think it is nice to be well rounded. You can’t jump all over the board, but you can take one field and go into different areas in that field. Don’t get stuck in the ruts. Always receive more training by going to conferences and taking classes. There is always new research and new ideas.
How do you cope with it and not bring it home? Learning more… to some degree you always take it home. The question is to what extent you take it home. However you have to be careful you don’t take the mental work home. Stop thinking about it… you can think about it when you go into the office again. When you are work stay focused when you go home focus on home… the kids etc. The families at homes helps- get involved with the family.
How do you feel social work differs from counseling? There is some overlap. SW is working with agency types of work. Child protection etc… case management. They aren’t trained as in depth to do counseling. Counselors don’t do case management. Counselors are trained just to do different types of situations and counseling. With both degrees you can do a lot of the same types of things. Social workers know more about resources and networking.
With counseling can you link your clients with other resources? Yes- it is just learning what they are. You need to know the referrals. You need to know the resources in the community.
What is the caseload like for counseling? Yes there are 20- 30 cases, but they aren’t always up on the table in one week. Some only come weekly, monthly, etc. Others maybe doing well and stop coming.
Sometimes you just need to have a degree and market yourself well. You can get jobs outside direct counseling jobs.
What do you like most about being a counselor? I love the challenge of taking a complex problem. It is like a puzzle hoe do you get it to all come together. It is a challenge to get it all figured out. To understand situations, personality, background… to help them become self reliant. It is rewarding to play role in helping people. It does get discouraging when you care more about the person then they do to change and grow. It can be disappointing. You can’t do for them what they can do for themselves. The most difficult thing to accept in life is the agency of another person. We have to accept the choices people make. It really helps with burn out. It is exciting. I love working with people. I love teaching.
One other thing about burn out- if you are in an agency try to do a variety of things. It makes things more enjoyable.
What I learned from Brother Galbraith- I learned that it is important to be well rounded. I thought I wanted to just focus down on one area and be specialized. I can see from what we talked about that it can really help to be well rounded and be able to work in many different areas so you don’t get burned out. I also learned from him that a lot of job opportunities arise because of the way that you market yourself. Social Work and Counseling can have a lot of overlap… it is all in the way you market you skills and talents!
Counselor
What kind of education did you receive and how much?
Graduated from Ricks College with an Associates. ISU BS of psychology and Masters in Counseling. Then worked for about 3 years in Residential Treatment for adolescence. Then through mental health counseling in eastern Montana. Then went to USU got his PHD in Family and Human Development. All along the focus was on Marriage and Family relations. Counseling and in teaching
How many years did it take to get your masters?
2 full years. That was going through the summer as well. 60 credit hours and then 48 elective.
Are there different fields? There are all kinds of areas. People often feel like they are stuck in one area of specialty. You have to be creative it is how you market yourself.
Do you specialize in Masters Programs or do you do it through work experience and internships? Working and experience. You really don’t specialize. You can take electives to start to specialize and also internships. Mostly it is just counseling. That is the major focus! You can take elective classes to help.
Is there a high burn out/ turn over rate? There can be. It can get tiring. It helps to always be learning. When you get in a rut and see the same population over and over. Be careful not to get isolated. Helps to always be learning. Focus on areas you haven’t focused on. Always be expanding and learning so you can work with other population. I think it is nice to be well rounded. You can’t jump all over the board, but you can take one field and go into different areas in that field. Don’t get stuck in the ruts. Always receive more training by going to conferences and taking classes. There is always new research and new ideas.
How do you cope with it and not bring it home? Learning more… to some degree you always take it home. The question is to what extent you take it home. However you have to be careful you don’t take the mental work home. Stop thinking about it… you can think about it when you go into the office again. When you are work stay focused when you go home focus on home… the kids etc. The families at homes helps- get involved with the family.
How do you feel social work differs from counseling? There is some overlap. SW is working with agency types of work. Child protection etc… case management. They aren’t trained as in depth to do counseling. Counselors don’t do case management. Counselors are trained just to do different types of situations and counseling. With both degrees you can do a lot of the same types of things. Social workers know more about resources and networking.
With counseling can you link your clients with other resources? Yes- it is just learning what they are. You need to know the referrals. You need to know the resources in the community.
What is the caseload like for counseling? Yes there are 20- 30 cases, but they aren’t always up on the table in one week. Some only come weekly, monthly, etc. Others maybe doing well and stop coming.
Sometimes you just need to have a degree and market yourself well. You can get jobs outside direct counseling jobs.
What do you like most about being a counselor? I love the challenge of taking a complex problem. It is like a puzzle hoe do you get it to all come together. It is a challenge to get it all figured out. To understand situations, personality, background… to help them become self reliant. It is rewarding to play role in helping people. It does get discouraging when you care more about the person then they do to change and grow. It can be disappointing. You can’t do for them what they can do for themselves. The most difficult thing to accept in life is the agency of another person. We have to accept the choices people make. It really helps with burn out. It is exciting. I love working with people. I love teaching.
One other thing about burn out- if you are in an agency try to do a variety of things. It makes things more enjoyable.
What I learned from Brother Galbraith- I learned that it is important to be well rounded. I thought I wanted to just focus down on one area and be specialized. I can see from what we talked about that it can really help to be well rounded and be able to work in many different areas so you don’t get burned out. I also learned from him that a lot of job opportunities arise because of the way that you market yourself. Social Work and Counseling can have a lot of overlap… it is all in the way you market you skills and talents!
Interview with Brother Winfree
Interview of Brother Winfree
Counselor
Where did you receive your education? Bachelor's Social Work Degree at BYU Hawaii, Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.
How much education did you receive to do what you do? Master's degree (2 years graduate school)
Are their different fields of counseling? (Such as: marriage and family, school, adolescents, etc.) Yes, there are distinct philosphies and schools of counseling. I am technically not a "counselor" but rather a "psychotherapist." My degree focused on Family Systems Theory and was specific for the discipline of Marriage and Family Therapy. Someone in Social Work earns a degree in that field. There are people who earn degrees in counseling and focus on career advisement and vocational placement.
How do you get into those different fields or is it just by experience you go into the field you desire? Your first job out of grad school influences how and what you do.
Is there a high turn over rate? I've been doing my job for 14 years and I'm not burned out yet.
There is a high rate of burn out? For some, yes.
How do you cope with your job and not "bring it home?" I have a private practice and my wife is my secretary. I guess it's already home, so I don't really worry about it. It is what it is. It's not just a job for me, it's a lifestyle. I love it.
How do you feel counseling differs from Social Work? There are some overlaps. My Bachelor's degree is in social work. I like social work and I know some good therapists-social workers. The philosphies are different. I prefer my systems theory training to the social work philosophy.
What do you like most about being a counselor? Helping people. Witnessing the strength of the human spirit.
What I learned from Brother Winfree- There is so much overlap with the human services area. Get the education that you are interested in and you’ll be able to find a job that will fit that area. There is high demand for human service workers! Find the philosophies that work best for you and you feel the best helping others with.
Counselor
Where did you receive your education? Bachelor's Social Work Degree at BYU Hawaii, Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.
How much education did you receive to do what you do? Master's degree (2 years graduate school)
Are their different fields of counseling? (Such as: marriage and family, school, adolescents, etc.) Yes, there are distinct philosphies and schools of counseling. I am technically not a "counselor" but rather a "psychotherapist." My degree focused on Family Systems Theory and was specific for the discipline of Marriage and Family Therapy. Someone in Social Work earns a degree in that field. There are people who earn degrees in counseling and focus on career advisement and vocational placement.
How do you get into those different fields or is it just by experience you go into the field you desire? Your first job out of grad school influences how and what you do.
Is there a high turn over rate? I've been doing my job for 14 years and I'm not burned out yet.
There is a high rate of burn out? For some, yes.
How do you cope with your job and not "bring it home?" I have a private practice and my wife is my secretary. I guess it's already home, so I don't really worry about it. It is what it is. It's not just a job for me, it's a lifestyle. I love it.
How do you feel counseling differs from Social Work? There are some overlaps. My Bachelor's degree is in social work. I like social work and I know some good therapists-social workers. The philosphies are different. I prefer my systems theory training to the social work philosophy.
What do you like most about being a counselor? Helping people. Witnessing the strength of the human spirit.
What I learned from Brother Winfree- There is so much overlap with the human services area. Get the education that you are interested in and you’ll be able to find a job that will fit that area. There is high demand for human service workers! Find the philosophies that work best for you and you feel the best helping others with.
Interview with Brother Roberts
Interview with Brother Roberts
Social Worker
Where did you receive your education and how much education did you get?
BS from BYU in Social Work and stayed and got Masters in Social Work as well. He did the advanced standing program and got the masters done in one year.
Are there different fields in Social Work?
Every Masters program will have a little different emphasis… Now you’ll find you take electives to get you emphasis. You do internships and electives, but you are still a jack of all trades. Even if you specialize it doesn’t put you in a little box. Mental health, community and mental health, nursing homes, counseling centers, schools, child protection, etc.
Is there a high turnover rate?
Some areas are more intense… like child protection and investigations. It really isn’t that different for other human service jobs.
What jobs did you do before you started teaching here?
Child protection investigation- hospital work- mental health
How do you cope with your job and not bringing it home?
It takes some practice. Bring things to a closer at the end of your work day and then try not to think about them until you go in the next morning. I think more about my work now than when I did when I was actually working as a social worker
How do you feel Social Work differs from Counseling?
Counselors are focused on their 50 min hr. They don’t have a realistic perspective of what home life is like- their tools are limited to just counseling. In social work we are in there. We look at things holistically and have many tools and teams to help.
What do you like most about being a counselor?
The versatility- if I get board I change and do something else. There is a great satisfaction that comes from helping people.
Extra thoughts- With social work you will have more opportunities. Social Workers can do pretty much everything a counselor does, but they can do more. Being a counselor boxes you into that 50 min hour.
What I learned from Brother Roberts- I really liked how he pointed out that counseling is focused on the 50 min hour and most people who get social work degrees can do the same jobs as counselors, but it doesn’t go the other way around. When I was researching different job opportunities I noticed when I search social workers that tons of jobs came up and some of them I thought would be a counselor’s job, but a social worker could do it as well. When I searcher counselors there wasn’t very many jobs. I also liked how he pointed out that Social Workers work from a more holistic approach and counselors don’t.
Social Worker
Where did you receive your education and how much education did you get?
BS from BYU in Social Work and stayed and got Masters in Social Work as well. He did the advanced standing program and got the masters done in one year.
Are there different fields in Social Work?
Every Masters program will have a little different emphasis… Now you’ll find you take electives to get you emphasis. You do internships and electives, but you are still a jack of all trades. Even if you specialize it doesn’t put you in a little box. Mental health, community and mental health, nursing homes, counseling centers, schools, child protection, etc.
Is there a high turnover rate?
Some areas are more intense… like child protection and investigations. It really isn’t that different for other human service jobs.
What jobs did you do before you started teaching here?
Child protection investigation- hospital work- mental health
How do you cope with your job and not bringing it home?
It takes some practice. Bring things to a closer at the end of your work day and then try not to think about them until you go in the next morning. I think more about my work now than when I did when I was actually working as a social worker
How do you feel Social Work differs from Counseling?
Counselors are focused on their 50 min hr. They don’t have a realistic perspective of what home life is like- their tools are limited to just counseling. In social work we are in there. We look at things holistically and have many tools and teams to help.
What do you like most about being a counselor?
The versatility- if I get board I change and do something else. There is a great satisfaction that comes from helping people.
Extra thoughts- With social work you will have more opportunities. Social Workers can do pretty much everything a counselor does, but they can do more. Being a counselor boxes you into that 50 min hour.
What I learned from Brother Roberts- I really liked how he pointed out that counseling is focused on the 50 min hour and most people who get social work degrees can do the same jobs as counselors, but it doesn’t go the other way around. When I was researching different job opportunities I noticed when I search social workers that tons of jobs came up and some of them I thought would be a counselor’s job, but a social worker could do it as well. When I searcher counselors there wasn’t very many jobs. I also liked how he pointed out that Social Workers work from a more holistic approach and counselors don’t.
Interview with Brother Hay
Interview with Brother Hay
Social Worker
Where did you receive your education?
BS- ISU in Psychology Masters- BYU Marriage and Family Science and MSW PHD- BYU Family Studies and Sociology.
How much did you get to do what you do?
At first wanted to do Clinical Psychology- didn’t know marriage and family therapy existed. Didn’t want to be a Social Worker. He thought they just things like food stamps and stuff like that. Got to BYU and learned about these areas and loved them. With a MSW did some clinical work and then taught while he got his PHD. Master usually takes about 2 year and a PHD usually 3 years.
Are there different fields in Social Work?
Child and Family ( Child Welfare- protective services etc.) School SW (usually there are more counselors) Mental Health- Medical/ hospital- Industrial- Corrections- Juvenile Delinquency.
What is the difference for Social Workers between a BS and a MSW?
BS usually just do case management. Masters can be specialists and do clinical work. Most states will license with a BS, but some won’t like with California.
Is there a high burn out/ turn over rate?
Yes there is. It is a high stress profession and you don’t get paid a lot. With a Masters you can make a pretty good living, but with a BS it is like a school teachers’ salary. Child Protection has an especially high burn out rate. Don’t drag everything home!!!
How do you cope with your job and not bringing it home?
If you want to continue you need to put up boundaries. Sometimes it is really hard when you are a caring person. Women have a harder time than men do. It is self defeating to take it home. I have hobbies. I spend time with my family.
How do you feel SW differs from Counseling?
Academically- SW work and focus on the social environment- they have different emphasis and theories. Counseling is helping healthy people reach their full potential. SW is about policy and community- direct help. MSW is similar to counseling. Therapy- move things around to try to fix things- direct- more manipulative.
What do you like most about being a Social Worker?
It is rewarding to help people. I am a people person. It is nice to do something you enjoy- the downside is that it doesn’t always work out and some don’t accept the help. It gives me insight to myself and others- If you become a therapist to everyone it becomes too much! Don’t constantly look for it. Your job is just a part of who you are- some make it their total identity!
What I learned from Brother Hay- One really important thing I learned was to not make my profession who I am. Yes it is my profession, but there is more to me than my degree. I also learned from him that it is important to continue to develop hobbies and spend time with your family. Helping people is always rewarding, but not all people want to be helped so you need to be able to cope and deal with that especially if you are a tender person!
Social Worker
Where did you receive your education?
BS- ISU in Psychology Masters- BYU Marriage and Family Science and MSW PHD- BYU Family Studies and Sociology.
How much did you get to do what you do?
At first wanted to do Clinical Psychology- didn’t know marriage and family therapy existed. Didn’t want to be a Social Worker. He thought they just things like food stamps and stuff like that. Got to BYU and learned about these areas and loved them. With a MSW did some clinical work and then taught while he got his PHD. Master usually takes about 2 year and a PHD usually 3 years.
Are there different fields in Social Work?
Child and Family ( Child Welfare- protective services etc.) School SW (usually there are more counselors) Mental Health- Medical/ hospital- Industrial- Corrections- Juvenile Delinquency.
What is the difference for Social Workers between a BS and a MSW?
BS usually just do case management. Masters can be specialists and do clinical work. Most states will license with a BS, but some won’t like with California.
Is there a high burn out/ turn over rate?
Yes there is. It is a high stress profession and you don’t get paid a lot. With a Masters you can make a pretty good living, but with a BS it is like a school teachers’ salary. Child Protection has an especially high burn out rate. Don’t drag everything home!!!
How do you cope with your job and not bringing it home?
If you want to continue you need to put up boundaries. Sometimes it is really hard when you are a caring person. Women have a harder time than men do. It is self defeating to take it home. I have hobbies. I spend time with my family.
How do you feel SW differs from Counseling?
Academically- SW work and focus on the social environment- they have different emphasis and theories. Counseling is helping healthy people reach their full potential. SW is about policy and community- direct help. MSW is similar to counseling. Therapy- move things around to try to fix things- direct- more manipulative.
What do you like most about being a Social Worker?
It is rewarding to help people. I am a people person. It is nice to do something you enjoy- the downside is that it doesn’t always work out and some don’t accept the help. It gives me insight to myself and others- If you become a therapist to everyone it becomes too much! Don’t constantly look for it. Your job is just a part of who you are- some make it their total identity!
What I learned from Brother Hay- One really important thing I learned was to not make my profession who I am. Yes it is my profession, but there is more to me than my degree. I also learned from him that it is important to continue to develop hobbies and spend time with your family. Helping people is always rewarding, but not all people want to be helped so you need to be able to cope and deal with that especially if you are a tender person!
References
http://www.byu.edu/
http://www.isu.edu/
http://www.boisestate.edu/
http://www.simplyhired.com/a/jobtrends/trend/q-LDS+Family+Services
http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Social_work_-_Qualifications_for_social_work/id/2113551
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Counselors, on the Internet
http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-a-Counselor?-Part-4-Qualifications,-Certification-and-Advancement&id=1018844Advancement&id=1018844
www.bls.gove/k12/help05.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Counselors, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm (visited March 13, 2009).
http://www.quintcareers.com/healthcare_jobs.html
http://www.tedjob.com/learning-and-attention-disorders-counselor-30747.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7fi2CzzJ78&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk8i8eRVwcU&NR=1
http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/188/1/75
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/joh/47/2/47_119/_article
Popple, P. & Leighinger, L. (2008). Social Work, Social Welfare, and American Society 7th Ed. Boston: Pearson.
http://www.isu.edu/
http://www.boisestate.edu/
http://www.simplyhired.com/a/jobtrends/trend/q-LDS+Family+Services
http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Social_work_-_Qualifications_for_social_work/id/2113551
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Counselors, on the Internet
http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-a-Counselor?-Part-4-Qualifications,-Certification-and-Advancement&id=1018844Advancement&id=1018844
www.bls.gove/k12/help05.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Counselors, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm (visited March 13, 2009).
http://www.quintcareers.com/healthcare_jobs.html
http://www.tedjob.com/learning-and-attention-disorders-counselor-30747.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7fi2CzzJ78&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk8i8eRVwcU&NR=1
http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/188/1/75
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/joh/47/2/47_119/_article
Popple, P. & Leighinger, L. (2008). Social Work, Social Welfare, and American Society 7th Ed. Boston: Pearson.
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