Support
My job at the Grove School was aimed at providing structure to the lives of children who have mental health struggles and executive functioning issues. I was able to make meaningful connections with some of the students, provide my ideas when asked for them and actively listen. Throughout the summer, I conducted fun activities to keep the kids engaged and happy and was an impartial party to talk to when they needed to vent. Through this internship, I was able to get a broader understanding of the mental health field. Working one-on-one with kids in crisis was helpful to put some of the things I have learned in class into a real-life context. I was also able to see a bit of the policy side as well as get an idea of working with a student's caseload. I met directly with many of the therapists and executive directors to speak with them about the job and my future in the mental health field. My initial goal for this internship was to increase my confidence when working directly with people, as well as gain an understanding of the demographic I want to work with. I have gained self-assurance of my abilities and this job has helped me understand the teenage demographic within the mental health field better. The financial support I received from St. Lawrence was incredibly helpful when figuring out a living situation for the summer. I was able to get experience living on my own in my first apartment and being in charge of meal planning thanks to the fellowship awarded to me. Overall, this summer was a huge success in boosting my confidence regarding my therapeutic abilities, my ability to live on my own, and fueling my excitement to learn more.