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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Rebecca ElkinsPsychology and Criminal

Justice, 2011

Personal Statement

I am seeking my Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a concentration in criminal justice. I feel that I sought this

degree after realizing that I not only desire to help people, I am actually really good at it. I have a well-rounded history of

personal experience that can benefit me in such a career choice. I have always had to fight harder than most to achieve the goals that I desired. Through personal experience I have

developed an unwavering confidence that anything is attainable. My experiences have undoubtedly shaped me into a very strong, compassionate person who yearns to make a difference in the lives of those who feel no difference can be made. The same resiliency that has helped me to achieve my

past goals will certainly assist me in my determination to practice psychology. My experiences may not be entirely

unique, but my response to these obstacles has shaped me into the strong, independent, and compassionately driven

individual I am today. I realize that furthering my education and career will provide many more obstacles. Nevertheless, these barriers will help to mold me into the mental health

professional that I strive to be.

Resume

PROFILE I have achieved a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in criminal justice. I

have knowledge of the DSM, physiological functions in psychology, and therapy practices. I have gained extensive knowledge about the APA and ACA Codes of Ethics. I have a variety of previous work experience, proving that I can succeed in any environment.

EDUCATION  Argosy University

Nashville, Tn. Bachelor of Psychology Concentration in Criminal Justice Graduated: December 2011  David Lipscomb High School

Nashville, Tn. High School Diploma Graduated: May 2006

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY  Metro Nashville Public Schools Special Education Substitute

Nashville, Tn. Aug. 2010 – May 2011 Responsibilities: Assist absent teachers in daily routine Care for special education children Assist children in daily activities such as motor skill-building exercises, therapy, etc.

Resume

The Appointment Desk, LLC Nashville, Tn. March 2009 – Aug. 2010 Responsibilities: Organization of Real Estate Listings throughout Tennessee and Kentucky Customer Service via Telephone Making and organizing appointments  Longhorn Steakhouse Cookeville, Tn. Jan. 2008 – Jan. 2009 Responsibilities: Customer Service Lead Hostess Organization of Front-of-House  Sonic Drive-In Cookeville, Tn. Aug. 2007 – Jan. 2008 Responsibilities: Food Service Customer Service Team Leadership

Sonic Drive-In Nashville, Tn. Aug. 2004 – Aug. 2006 Responsibilities: Customer Service Organization of Finances Train New Employees

Resume

Belle Forest Animal Hospital Nashville, Tn. Aug. 2003 – Aug. 2004 Responsibilities: Caring for animals Assisting Veterinarians with medical procedures Grooming

REFERENCES  Dan Edwards – LPC/MHSP, NCC Kristi Thompson Kathy Gilliam Nashville Vet Center Vanderbilt University Pelham Elementary School Phone: 615-366-1220 Phone: 615-516-3571 Phone: 931-224-2103

Reflection

The years that I have spent at Argosy University have been the best academic years spent to date. I have learned much about myself as well as the fields of psychology and criminal justice. I have learned to formulate reasoned opinions on a wide range of psychological theories. I am able to correctly

summarize the research design, statistical and other evaluative tools, and findings of scholarly articles in my field.

I have learned to excel in research, data collection, APA format, and written work, as well as preparing and presenting presentations. I have achieved extensive

knowledge of the codes of ethics within the psychology and criminal justice fields, providing me with an understanding of the expected quality of care intended for these fields. As part of my education in ethics, I have also gained understanding of

the importance of engaging in multiculturally-sensitive thought and action. I am also able to synthesize and evaluate

various psychological theories, and apply them to explain everyday events and experiences. Argosy was not the school

at which I began my undergraduate studies, but I am certainly proud to finish my undergraduate work, as well as

begin my graduate work, at Argosy University.

Table of Contents

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

Research SkillsCommunication Skills: Oral and WrittenEthics and Diversity AwarenessFoundations of PsychologyApplied PsychologyInterpersonal Effectiveness

Cognitive Abilities

Running Head: EFFECTS OF CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING 1

Effects of Cell Phone Use While Driving

Cognitive Psychology

Rebecca Elkins

Argosy University

This is an example of a research question that I completed on the subject of cell phone use while

driving and the effects of distracted driving. I gathered

information and narrowed down my sources in order to develop a strong, thorough, and accurate

paper that resulted in support of my hypothesis.

(Click on the assignment to the right to view paper)

Research Skills

This is an example of a research question that I formulated

personally. I researched peer-reviewed sources, formed a

hypothesis, narrowed my references, and developed research data and

potential experimental parameters.(Click on the assignment below to

view paper)Running Head: PTSD: ACTIVE/NON-ACTIVE COMBAT 1

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Military Veterans: Active Combat versus Non-Active Combat

Rebecca Elkins

Argosy University

Communication SkillsFriday, June 24, 2011 Argosy University Rebecca Elkins

Dual Diagnosis: Alcoholism and Depression

What is Dual Diagnosis?

When a person has been diagnosed with both a substance abuse problem, as well as an emotional or psychiatric problem, it is referred to as dual diagnosis. This is much more common that one may think. In fact, 37 percent of alcohol abusers and 53 percent of drug abusers are dually diagnosed with at least one mental illness; plus, 29 percent of those diagnosed with a mental illness also abuse alcohol or drugs (Mental Health America, 2011). The following table based on a National Institute of Mental Health study, lists seven major psychiatric disorders and shows how much each one increases an individual’s risk for substance abuse.

Psychiatric Disorder

Increased Risk For Substance Abuse

Antisocial personality disorder

15.5%

Manic episode 14.5 Schizophrenia 10.1 Panic disorder 4.3 Major depressive episode

4.1

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

3.4

Phobias 2.4 (Mental Health America, 2011)

Often times, the psychological issue develops first. If you are depressed you may attempt to use alcohol in order to feel happier and more care-free, or “self-medicate”. However, this can lead to becoming dependent on alcohol in order to feel normal, leading to dual diagnosis. Self-medicating can lead to feeling as if you need more and more alcohol just to feel happy.

How Do I Cope with Dual Diagnosis?

The first step towards treatment is going through a period of detoxification so that your body is allowed to clean out any alcohol or drugs from your system. Detoxification can be made easier under medical supervision with medication, if necessary, to make the process a more positive experience (Mental Health America, 2011). Once the detoxification process is complete, the mental and substance issues can begin to be treated.

Rehabilitation is an excellent way to go about the process of recovery. Rehab programs will teach you how to be happy and enjoy life without the presence of alcohol or drugs. “Rehabilitation for a substance abuse problem usually involves individual and group psychotherapy, education about alcohol and drugs, exercise, proper nutrition, and participation in a 12-step recovery program such as Alcoholics Anonymous” (Mental Health America, 2011). Treatment for a mental issue such as depression can include individual and/or group therapy, being educated in all aspects of the disorder, and even medication. Rehab does not always have to mean a stay in a hospital-like environment. There are different levels of rehab depending on the severity of the issues ranging from inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, or even outpatient treatment.

Another important aspect of recovery is one’s family and friends. It always helps to have a support group and there are ways, such as family therapy, to help your family get involved with your recovery.

Alcoholism + Depression

Rebecca Elkins

This is an example of a handout and presentation on dual diagnosis that I created in

order to present the information in two different

ways that are each informative while easy to understand.

(Click on each to view)

Ethics and Diversity AwarenessRunning Head: ACA AND APA CODES OF ETHICS 1

ACA and APA Codes of Ethics

Ethics in Psychology

Rebecca Elkins

Argosy University

Running Head: MULTICULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS 1

Multicultural Considerations

Ethics in Psychology

Rebecca Elkins

Argosy University

These are examples of my work on the topic of ethics and diversity awareness. (Click on each

paper above to view)

Foundations of Psychology

Running Head: BULIMIA NERVOSA AND DEPRESSION 1

Bulimia Nervosa and Depression

Physiological Psychology

Rebecca Elkins

Argosy University

Running Head: INSOMNIA AND ALCOHOL 1

Insomnia and Alcohol

Physiological Psychology

Rebecca Elkins

Argosy University

Running Head: MIGRAINES AND CONTRALATERAL NEGLECT 1

Migraines and Contralateral Neglect

Physiological Psychology

Rebecca Elkins

Argosy University

These are examples of sample cases where I used critical

thinking and the foundations of psychology to assess the needs

of the “patients”.(Click on each assignment to

view)

Applied PsychologyRunning Head: SHOOTING AT JAKE’S BAR AND GRILL 1

Shooting at Jake’s Bar and Grill

Forensic Psychology

Rebecca Elkins

Argosy University

Consultation Report

Memorandum

MSE Written Report

These are four different examples of applied psychology. Throughout my education I have learned the many applications of this field and I feel that this

has given me a strong, well-rounded education in psychology.

(Click each to view)

Interpersonal EffectivenessFriday, June 3, 2011 Argosy University Rebecca Elkins

References:

Things to Keep in Mind in our Professional Relationships with Inmates

Hazards of Being Emotionally Involved

with Inmates

“Countertransference distorts therapists’ behavior and perceptions in terms of how they respond to clients. It is, therefore, important for therapists to be aware of and to identify their own countertransference in order to create a “reality-based” empirical view of the clients” (Argosy University, 2011).

There are many hazards when being emotionally involved with inmates. Being emotionally involved creates a bias in the treatment that is given. Treatment can be affected negatively which is detrimental to the inmate’s progress. Getting emotionally involved with an inmate can also make you vulnerable to being manipulated by the inmate in order to get what they want. As counselors it is your responsibility to ensure that the inmate is receiving the best treatment available. If countertransference does occur, it is always in the client’s best interest to be referred to another counselor.

Tips to Avoid Being Emotionally Involved

with Inmates

In Section C: Introduction of the ACA Code of Ethics it states that a counselor must “engage in self-care activities to maintain and promote their emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being to best meet their professional responsibilities” (American Counseling Association, 2005). It is a counselor’s responsibility to keep his or her personal issues in check and to seek help if the circumstances require it. In section C.2.g. of the ACA Code of Ethics it states, “Counselors are alert to the signs of impairment from their own physical, mental, or emotional problems and refrain from offering or providing professional services when such impairment is likely to harm a client or others” (American Counseling Association, 2005). If a professional is properly maintaining oneself then they should be aware of their own issues and should be able to recognize when their issues begin to hinder their work with a client.

Steps to Take if You are Emotionally Involved

with an Inmate

In section C.2.g. of the ACA Code of Ethics it states, “seek assistance for problems that reach the level of professional impairment, and, if necessary, they limit, suspend, or terminate their professional responsibilities until such time it is determined that they may safely resume their work” (American Counseling Association, 2005). If a counselor is emotionally involved with an inmate it is important that he or she recognize the issue and take the appropriate steps to fix it. The first step to take would be to address the issues that you have and try to work them out with a colleague or supervisor. If you cannot work through these issues then referring the client to another counselor would be the next step. If there is a personal issue that is hindering your ability to perform as a professional, it may be necessary to, in some cases, even limit your professional responsibilities until able to perform them without issue.

Active Combat versus Non-Active Combat

Rebecca ElkinsArgosy University

I have gained an excellent understanding of how to communicate with others

effectively. These are examples of an unrelated handout and

presentation I created in order to present information to others.

(Click each to view)

My Future in Learning

The field of psychology is a vast ocean of mystery. There is so much that is unknown,

one cannot expect to ever be done learning in this field. Psychology is advancing constantly and there is a wealth of knowledge to be had, regardless of how much experience one has within this field. I intend to always keep an open mind and allow myself to learn, grow, and evolve along with my chosen field. If I

were not passionate enough about psychology to do such, I would not pursue a career in this

field. I am willing and excited to continue learning throughout the rest of my life.

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio.

For further information, please contact me at the e-

mail address below. KBElkins09@gmail.com