Past
and Current Clinical Intern Testimonals
Testimonal
#1
When
I began my clinical internship at SACASA, I expected to gain experience
counseling survivors of rape, incest, and other forms of sexual
abuse. I expected to receive an hour per week of supervision. I
expected, in essence, to learn how to be a therapist.
My experience at SACASA far exceeded my expectations. Counseling
sexual assault survivors challenged me to grow as a professional
and a human being. I was humbled by the trust of my clients, who
had little reason to trust anyone in the face of overwhelming life
traumas. It was a real joy to witness and assist their healing.
I received excellent supervision. My weekly hour of one-on-one supervision
covered topics from existentialist philosophy to feminism to individual
client problems. I found these sessions stimulating and challenging.
I also participated in weekly group supervision meetings, where
I was able to learn from the entire clinical staff. Last, but not
least, I was able to participate in the clinical team's decision-making
process.
As a student in the ASU MSW program, I am aware that students seek
internships offering meaningful interactions with clients and expert
supervision. The SACASA clinical internship offers that and more.
Testimonal
#2
I
would like to formally thank you for all of your guidance, support
and wisdom during my practicum and internship with SACASA. I feel
I have grown a great deal professionally and learned a lot about
working with clients as a direct result of your efforts. I feel
that supervision was used wisely and appreciated being able to discuss
both client issues and personal growth issues with you.
Being able to work individually with clients was very helpful but
working with you as co-facilitator of the group was a wonderful
experience. I learned a lot about how to address difficult issues
such as self-mutilation, over-identification with the victim role,
and balancing dual feelings toward a perpetrator. It was helpful
to see you formulate a common thread among different issues being
presented by clients and I feel I have leaned to do the same.
I also have to say that other therapists in SACASA were also very
helpful. Gypsy was always willing to put her pen down when her door
was open and offer her support and guidance regarding agency matters
and client issues. Bob was very willing and able to make time to
provide a supervision session while you were out of town at a training.
It was nice when all of the interns were able to get together and
discuss cases and talk among ourselves about what we are learning
and how we perceived cases. I would have liked to do more of that
and perhaps that would have been just a matter of me finding time
and organizing that myself. I appreciated the few times we were
able to do that with you, especially given your very busy schedule.
I would have liked to be able to discuss more cases in clinical
meetings vs. more administrative issues. It seemed like the intention
was to allow time for cases but starting the meeting with the administrative
issues usually led to running out of time to staff cases. It might
help to future interns to start with cases and then discuss administrative
matters.
Overall I have had a wonderfully positive experience here and am
sad to be leaving. Again, I thank you especially for all the time
and effort you put into helping me grow as a professional.
Testimonal
#3
I
feel privileged to be working at SACASA as an intern. This center
offers a sensitive and compassionate environment that ensures clients
receive treatment in a safe and non-threatening way. This experience
provides me with a unique opportunity to expand and enrich my therapeutic
skills while working with a variety of clinical issues.
Testimonal
#4
I
have been privileged to perform my second year internship at the
Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. The experience is
one that I will cherish personally and draw upon professionally.
I could
not have had a more effective field instructor than Mirto Stone.
Mirto's knowledge base, ability to teach, patience and humor allowed
me to grow as a person and to begin developing therapeutic skills.
Above al else, Mirto taught me the importance of relationship. It
is from an established therapeutic relationship that positive change
develops for the client. It is the same emphasis on relationship
that allowed me to develop positive "people" skills in
my interactions with the centers support staff and clinical team.
In addition,
Mirto encouraged me to participate as an intern co-facilitator in
a new Men's Sexual Trauma Support Group (MSTSG) with Clinical Director,
Robert Kafes. This, in combination with a moderate individual case,
allowed me great insight into the therapist's practical role in
the therapeutic process.
Furthermore, participation in weekly staff meetings and the exposure
to 80+ years of ethical social work practice has additionally contributed
to my preparedness in entering the profession. I could not have
asked for better role models.
However,
the majority of invaluable information I intend to build upon, has
been learned from the courage, work ethnic, insight and indomitable
spirit of the clients who have honored me with their trust, their
pain, their story, It is the acknowledgment of their great honor
and responsibility that will direct my social work practice.
In conclusion,
I intend to continue my relationship with the Southern Arizona Center
Against Sexual Assault in the capacity of an adjunct therapist with
either Mirto or Robert as my supervisor for the next two years.
I have no doubt that I will receive more than I will contribute.
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