Marissa Johnson

Responsibilities

My role was actually a bit different then a lot of internships because I am half intern and half mental health practitioner. Even though the job was split the positions don't really vary at all. I will be executing the job of a skills based mental health practitioner and they help to teach individuals practical techniques to manage their mental well-being and function effectively in daily life based off of their goals made in the DA. I will focus less on the traditional talk as that is what they do with the full therapist and help people find more of a toolbox of skills for coping and regulating when needed.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment is securing a full-time position and making an impact on my kids. I grew in my position and will continue to grow with my kids and within the company. Last week my supervisors did a review and said said I was one of the best interns they have had and eventually they would like me in a leadership role! So many accomplishments but my biggest is the growth my kids have had and just being able to impact them.

Learning experience

-I think my most meaningful experience that I gained from my internship was realizing that even if a kids mental health is low, being someone they can rely on makes all the difference. As I have mentioned before I have multiple kids with severe depression or really hard home lives but after being with them for a week or two some of them actively tell me that they enjoy being with me and trust me. This not only makes me feel good about my work but also shows me that being a support is the best that you can do sometimes, and you are truly making an impact in you work.

What advice would you give?

Take the leap and even if an impact isn't visible it is still there! You could be someone's biggest support without even knowing it. But also know your boundaries and have a work/life balance. Self-care is so important and in the mental health field it is even bigger.