Readjusting to online learning

Well I'm wrapping up my first week of school at Capella...online school is a beast!  Since this is a doctoral program, I gotta bring it...which required more time that I'd thought I would spend on my discussion posts.  It took a while for me to come up with intelligent postings.  I managed to turn them in on time although I was cutting it close with the SafeAssign...now I know I DEFINITELY can't procrastinate.  *Sigh*

I applied for a grant and if I get selected I'll be heading to California in June.  I'll find out in the next few weeks or so.  I definitely need that grant since I'll max out my Stafford loan limit when I get around to my dissertation.  I'm also looking into fellowships to lessen the blow.  There's also a scholarship I'm going to apply for next month...one of the requirements is that I gotta sucessfully complete a class (which I haven't done yet) and some other stuff...I gotta get this free money to pay for school!

If I get all my work done, I may sneak in a Mental Health 101 post this afternoon but I definitely plan of doing some posts over the next few days since tax season is over.  I'm definitely looking forward to going back to Zumba and I can officially start looking for a dog to adopt. 

I would like to than @Hypno_Gary for mentioning me to his followers on Twitter.  You support means a lot! :)

That's it for now...just wanted to check in. :)

Take care,
-Kimmy

Back to School

School, school, school...

I've been some kind of orientation all week for school...like 3 or 4. I guess Capella wants to be sure that I don't flunk out.  My enrollment advisor dropped the ball with my book voucher info and I was lost for a minute but it's fixed although I'm not going to have my books in time for my first week of class.  It's all good though.  I will admit I'm getting tired of the orientations because I don't like repetition.  The next few years will be interesting.

On a high note, I've submitted my LMHC application!  I'm so excited!  I gotta turn in some additional documents but I think I'll have my number by late May/early June and I can start studying for the exam over the summer.  If I can get the LMHC exam out of the way by early fall I'll be able to focus on my PhD and working. 

Despite the craziness I'm going out of town quite a bit (I LOVE traveling!). I'm going to Orlando, NYC, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Biloxi/New Orleans, and to see my family in the BVI.  All of this while I'm doing my studies.  I'm not worried because I've been more mischievous and gotten my schoolwork done. 

As always, I'll keep you posted and be on the lookout for more posts.  I still want to do my advice column so email me at kimmycounselingservices@gmail.com with your questions! :)

Website

Hi guys!

I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not but I have a website.  It has more information about myself and my current services.  Some of the blog posts are on there too.  It's also viewable on your cell phone.  Check it out and tell your friends about me!

http://kimmycounselingservices.webs.com/

Hope everyone has a great Sunday and try not to become an April's fool! :)

-Take care,
Kimmy

Good News All Around

I found out last night that Capella is applying 32 hours towards my PhD program...comes out to a few quarters worth which is good.  I also got promoted to a counselor position at my job.  I signed my papers this morning.  It's funny how everything happens all at once when you decide to do your own thing.  I'm still going to write because it's rewarding to me.  My writing has been getting some news on InfoBarrel which is exciting. I do have an idea for an article that I'll work on tomorrow.

As always, stay tuned for the saga continues...

Take care,

-Kimmy

Another Infobarrel Article

Check it out and tell your friends about it!

http://www.infobarrel.com/Talking_Safe_Sex_With_Your_Partner

Take care,
-Kimmy

I need a plan!

I met with the potential LMHC supervisor today...we talked about a lot of things. The biggesf thing I got out of it is that I need to have a plan of what I want to dop with my practice and how to promote it. I'm going to work on that and check out a couple other supervisors. With good marketing I can afford to work privately once a week and pay for the office rent and supervision.

I also need to figure out which population I want to work with and who I worked well with. I didn't give it much thought when I was in school because I was trying to finish and get out of there. Now I'm working on mastering my craft so I can take over the world!

But first I gotta have a plan...

Major step!

Over the weekend I made contact with a LMHC supervisor in town and she wants to meet me!  She's also offering me office space on a part-time basis if I want it...exactly everything I'm looking for! Holy cow did that just happen!???? As you can see I'm really looking forward to meeting her.

I'm waiting for the two articles I wrote to be approved or denied by InfoBarrel and I plan on finishing my latest post by tonight...we'll see how it goes.

Not too shabby for a Monday huh?

I'll keep you posted on my shenanegans and be on the lookout for my writings!

Take care,
-Kimmy

Now Live on Infobarrel!

I wrote an article for InfoBarrel and it's been live since yesterday!  I was so happy when I found out I almost started crying...I'm a wussy I know lol. The blog is at 90 views now so that's exciting too!  Can we get to 100 by my birthday on Wednesday??  We shall see!

Here's a link to the article.

http://www.infobarrel.com/Getting_Started_on_Online_Dating

Comment and let me know what you guys think!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Take care,
-Kimmy

Good news!

I just found out that I got accepted to Capella! Whoohoo! I start in May... I'll definitely be keeping you guys up to date on that...I'm also going to blog about my online dating adventures at the suggestion of my coworker...she finds them entertaining so you may too...

I got the promotion to the counselor position at my 9-5 but I havent heard from HR yet so we'll see...

Im working on some mental health 101 posts so be on the lookout for insominia and substance abuse by week's end. One of my professors checked out my blog...I hope she's proud of me... :-)

That's all have for you guys for now...I'm at 80 views now...my goal is to get 100 by my birthday next week. Help me out and tell your friends about me!

Take care,
-Kimmy

PhD Program Application...going big!

Hey guys!

I just started my application for my PhD program...I decided to get it online at Capella University mainly because I plan on private practice both in person and online and to do both I need to get my LMHC, which I'm eligible for already.  The PhD is a personal goal of mine and I'm almost there already and I have nothing better to do right now anyway.  I'm going to pay the application fees when I get paid later this week.  My Capella application is my birthday present to myself. 

To update you on my progress on starting my LMHC, apparently I'm (inadvertently) in the middle of some office politics at my 9-5...messed up I know but I'm not too concerned about it because I'm applying for my PhD program!  I've devised a plan B to get clinical supervision with the help of my Linkedin account so I hope to start that process soon although I'm going to pay out of pocket for supervision now.

I'm going to need your support more than ever!  Please check out the ads on my blog and Twitter (despite the annoyingness) so I can get paid and use the money to pay for my LMHC supervision.  Once I get licensed, I can officially and legally do therapy online...I'm talking individual and group therapy services online.  It's gonna be awesome!

I plan on adding to my mental health 101 series now that I know where my DSM-IV and other references are in my house...February was one of the best months I've had in a very long time thanks in part to you guys! I have 75 views on this blog, which is pretty awesome!  If I can get to 100 views by my birthday in a couple of weeks, I'm going to tell my friends and family about what I've been up to for the past couple of months...I'm a sneaky little thing am I?

Again thanks for checking out the blog and keep an eye out for big things coming!

Take care,
-Kimmy :)

Slacking...

I haven't been on the ball lately...I realize that entrepreneurship thing is a 25/8 deal...I've been busy with the 9-5 and some family stuff. I'm taking a very much needed mental health vacation then I'll be posting regularly again. Again I apologize for slacking and I'll be back in action soon...but you know what, I do have a post in mind...

Technorati

I'm trying to add myself to the Technorati directory and I believe they're looking for this code:   Y7HADYV8P2PG

Getting back in the game...mental health game...

Yesterday I was finishing up at the 9-5 and I thought to myself "I really miss being in a clinical setting"...I miss seeing the different mental health disorders and diagnosing them, treatment planning, writing progress notes...I miss being around all that stuff.  It's been over a year since I finished my internship at the mental hospital and I'm going through some serious withdrawals.  Thank goodness I'm going back to school later this year otherwise I'd be in bad shape. 

I'm still looking for a supervisor so I can start formally studying for the LMHC exam.  It looks like I'm going to have to pay out of pocket.  Oh well, you win some and you lose some. 

I also requested some mental health time off and I'm going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras then I'm going to a concert out of town.  I'm working on some more Mental Health 101 posts so those will be coming soon.  Also be on the lookout for my relationship posts now that it's February.

I hope everyone's New Year's resolutions are working out.  If you already fell off the wagon, tomorrow is always a good time to try again.

Until next time...

Take care,
-Kimmy

Biding my time...

Hi hi!

I've been looking for a clinical supervisor so I can register with the state...I'd like to register soon so I can study for the exam (seriously study).  We'll see how it goes.  I've been unusually tired over the past couple of weeks so I haven't had the chance to post much lately.  I plan on posting about relationships throughout February for Valentine's Day.  It's gonna be good stuff.  Feel free to let me know what I should post about I'm open to suggestions! :)

Just wanted to check in so you know I'm not being a lazy butt lol...

Take care,
-Kimmy

Sometimes you gotta take matters into your own hands!

Hi all!

My name is Kimmy and I am a master's level counselor trying to make a living.  I work in Human Services/Counseling but I'm not currently in a counselor or therapist position.  I'm not a patient person so I decided to do my own thing by providing my services online.  I have a website http://kimmycounselingservices.webs.com/ that is a work in progress.  I plan on offering services via email and chat in the upcoming months. Until I get everything shakin' and bakin', I will be blogging about various issues and if you want to ask me something personally you can email me at kimmycounselingservices@gmail.com. I'll reply within 24 hours. My blog posts will be on my website as well.

On this blog, I will talk about about my story about the process of becoming a licensed mental health counselor as well as my professional topics so students can learn what the process is really like.  Let me tell you, it's difficult but I love it!  I'm having more fun putting my website and blog together then I've had at my job in 5 months!

I am legit I promise you!  My B.A. is in History and Psychology at Florida State University (Go Seminoles!) and my M.A. is in Mental Health Counseling at Webster University.  I have met all the requirements to register as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Intern in the state of Florida, I just need to find a supervisor so I can register.  My job has policies that has caused a lengthy delay but I'll be eligible for supervision at my agency next month (thank God!). I'll keep you updated on my progress toward my licensure, which is a two year process from the time I initially register with Florida with my supervisor information.  Florida is the most difficult state in the nation to become a licensed counselor/therapist/social worker so when someone tells you they're licensed in Florida, they are no quack!  I am also looking on becoming a certified online counselor.  I know it exists, I just gotta figure out how to become certified.

With all that said, I'm excited about this journey I'm taking and I hope many will seek my help!

-Kimmy