Review at least two of your classmates' professional blueprints for accuracy, clarity, and professional relevance. In your posts, provide constructive, supportive feedback, along with suggestions for
Running Header: Final Project Blueprint
Erycka Arnette
Final Project Blueprint
SNHU- PSY 442 Community Psychology
20 April 2024
Introduction/Goals:
My educational career started roughly 22 years ago when I joined the Navy. At that time, I was a young mother of 2 who was unsure about my career choices and honestly, I was just taking classes for an evaluation” check in the box”. The first few years I’d switched my major more times than I would care to mention. Although I was unsure of what I wanted to do I liked the idea that I would be a first-generation college graduate and I wanted to make my family and my children proud. I knew I wanted my next career to be impactful and I knew whatever occupational path I chose I needed to be doing something rewarding not just to me but to those that I was working with and for. Around year five life began to throw a bunch of curve balls in my professional and personal life and I felt like I was drowning. I decided that I would take some time off school and focus on trying to put my life back together. During this time our country was at the height of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) conflict, and I had just been reassigned to the National Capitol area to work in a busy Operating Room. I didn’t know what I was in store for, nor did I understand that the events that would transpire over those next five years would redefine me as a Sailor, mother, and a human being.
When people would say “Thank you for your service” I used to feel super awkward, in my head I thought “I’m just going to work like the rest of you, no big deal”. I didn’t truly grasp the magnitude of “OUR SERVICE” and the sacrifices that were associated with it. I quickly found out during that tour that we all had so much to be thankful for. Many individuals sacrificed it all for our freedoms and when they returned from the battlefield the “hero” treatment was short-lived, and they were forced with the reality of trying to reacclimate to their lives with minimal assistance.
My career choice is to be a mental health counselor, with a preferred emphasis on assisting active duty service members, Veterans, and their families. I believe that through my 23 years of military service, I can relate to their specific needs. I can not only appeal to the active duty and veterans I’m also dual military and know from a wife’s perspective the challenges that we face when our spouses are unable to be there supporting us through life’s everyday challenges. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that serving our country can have on you and your loved ones. After reading the article, Changing Contexts and the Field of Community Psychology Kelly states, that the role of community psychologists is to look at preventive intentions to understand the culture and subculture factors that can affect the expression of mental health and mental illness through community-based approaches. (Kelly,1990) It is going to take the entire community's support to assist our military community.
Utilizing community psychology in my perspective career field would be beneficial to educate families on the opportunities and resources available within their community while also, educating the community by breaking the stigma that is associated with military members. A community can influence and build needed support systems that can aid in improving overall well-being. I honestly don’t know what is in store for me once I complete my degree and start my career, I hope that I can be a voice for the voiceless and make an impact wherever I’m needed.
Overview:
What is Community Psychology?
Community psychology unlike other forms of psychology goes beyond an individual focus and integrates social, cultural, economic, political, environmental, and international influences to promote positive change, health, and empowerment at individual and systemic levels. (www.Community Psychology.com)
Community psychology is a branch of psychology focused on understanding and addressing issues that affect communities, rather than just individuals. It emphasizes the importance of social context, collective action, and social justice in promoting mental health and well-being. At its core, community psychology seeks to empower individuals and communities to work together to create positive social change. This involves collaborating with community members to identify and address social problems, such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to healthcare and education.
Community psychologists strive to promote social justice by advocating for policies and programs that reduce inequality and promote the well-being of all members of society. One key principle of community psychology is the importance of prevention. Rather than waiting until problems arise, community psychologists work proactively to identify and address underlying causes of social problems before they escalate. This may involve implementing programs to promote mental health and resilience, building social support networks, and addressing systemic barriers to well-being. Another important aspect of community psychology is the use of participatory approaches. This means involving community members in all stages of the research and intervention process, from identifying needs and priorities to implementing and evaluating programs. By working collaboratively with community members, psychologists can ensure that interventions are culturally sensitive, relevant, and effective. Community psychologists also emphasize the importance of ecological perspectives, which recognize the complex interplay between individuals, social systems, and the physical environment. This means considering how factors such as poverty, racism, and environmental degradation impact individuals' mental health and well-being, and developing interventions that address these systemic issues. In summary, community psychology is a field dedicated to promoting the well-being of individuals and communities through collaborative, preventive, and socially just approaches. By working together with community members to address social problems and promote positive change, community psychologists strive to create healthier, more resilient communities for all.
Application:
Several issues are pertinent in community psychology as it relates to my potential profession as a mental health counselor, but I will name and discuss two topics: Social Determinants of Health and Community-based Interventions.
Community psychologists recognize that mental health is influenced by a wide range of social, economic, and environmental factors, known as social determinants of health. These factors include poverty, unemployment, discrimination, lack of access to healthcare, inadequate housing, and social isolation. Mental health counselors must be aware of these social determinants and their impact on clients' mental well-being. They may need to address issues such as financial stress, trauma resulting from discrimination or violence, and lack of social support in their counseling sessions. Additionally, counselors may collaborate with community organizations and agencies to connect clients with resources and support services that address these social determinants.
Community psychology emphasizes the importance of preventive, community-based interventions in promoting mental health and well-being. Mental health counselors may be involved in designing, implementing, and evaluating such interventions within the community. This could include providing psychoeducation workshops, facilitating support groups, or delivering mental health services in non-traditional settings, such as schools, workplaces, or community centers. By working directly with communities, counselors can reach individuals who may not seek services through traditional channels and address mental health needs in a culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate manner.
History of Community Psychology:
In May 1965, at a conference in Swampscott Massachusetts, a group of clinical psychologists gathered, and the field of Community Psychology was born. They hoped that this method of psychology would allow them to address social justice issues that were prevalent during the 1960’s (Jason et al., 2019). Community psychology theories help to analyze social issues and help to develop community relations. Their goal is to promote social justice by focusing on how individuals can shape and be shaped by the environment. (Sutton et al.,2020)
Community Psychology was also a response to the limitations of traditional clinical psychology, which focused primarily on treating individual mental illness issues rather than addressing the broader social issues. Influenced by various social and intellectual movements, including community organizing, civil rights, and social justice activism.
The roots of community psychology can be traced back to the work of psychologists like Kurt Lewin and John Dewey. Lewin emphasized the importance of understanding behavior within its social context, while Dewey advocated for a more holistic approach to education that considered the social and cultural environment of learners.
Following World War II, there was a growing recognition of the need to address social problems such as poverty, discrimination, and mental illness at the community level. Psychologists like Lewin and Murray Bowen began to apply their theories and methods to community-based interventions aimed at promoting social change and improving the well-being of communities.
The 1960s and 1970s saw the formalization of community psychology as a distinct field within psychology. Influential figures during this time included Seymour Sarason, who coined the term "community psychology" and emphasized the importance of understanding the social context of behavior, and Gerald Caplan, who advocated for a preventive, community-based approach to mental health. The Community Mental Health Movement, which gained momentum in the 1960s, was a major catalyst for the development of community psychology. This movement sought to deinstitutionalize mental health care and provide community-based services that emphasized prevention, rehabilitation, and social support. Community psychologists played a key role in designing and implementing these new approaches to mental health care.
During the 1970s, there was a growing interest in action research, which involved collaborating with community members to identify and address social problems. Community psychologists embraced this approach, conducting studies and interventions in partnership with community organizations, government agencies, and grassroots movements. By the 1980s and 1990s, community psychology had gained recognition as a legitimate subfield of psychology. The American Psychological Association established the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) in 1980, providing a formal organization for community psychologists to share research, practice, and advocacy efforts. In recent years, community psychology has continued to evolve in response to changing social, economic, and political conditions. Issues such as globalization, immigration, environmental degradation, and technological advances have posed new challenges and opportunities for community psychologists to address.
Community Psychology remains as relevant today as it was in the 1960’s. The core values of Community Psychology focus on understanding and addressing social issues within communities, promoting well-being, and advocating for social justice. Given the societal challenges like inequality, mental health issues, and social fragmentation, that have continued to be an ongoing issue in modern-day society the principles and practices of community psychology are still essential for creating healthier and more resilient communities.
The Future of Community Psychology:
My vision for community psychology is centered around implementing innovative initiatives to treat mental illness and promote well-being in communities. Mental health issues aren’t only present in our local communities this issue is a global epidemic that needs widespread attention. Over the past decade, there has been a 13% increase in reported mental health disorders, while global suicide rates have increased among young adults ages ranging from 15-29. (World Health Org.,) As we continue to evolve, so does our outlook on mental health-related issues, but we still have a way to go. I believe that some people who are diagnosed with mental health conditions aren’t genetically predisposed to their illnesses but may be the result of trauma or their environment.
A high school student witnesses a school shooting. In the aftermath, she experiences symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may include flashbacks, nightmares, and increased anxiety. The student seeks help from a therapist but is later diagnosed with PTSD. Owing to this diagnosis, the student may feel defined/ labeled by her diagnosis and may internalize the results and worry about how she would be viewed by her family and peers. She may feel ashamed or helpless blaming herself for her inability to cope with the stress that has come from her trauma. To feel “normal” she may not fully comply with her recommended treatment plan. The stigma associated with her diagnosis can have significant negative impacts on her social and overall well-being.
Addressing stigmas is critical in addressing the mental health pandemic. By addressing the stigmas associated with mental health, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment where people feel empowered to seek help and access effective treatment options.
Stigmas aren’t just a result of external sources; they can also be a result of internal factors, which may delay people from hitting much-needed treatment milestones. How do we change the narrative? How do we ensure that both internal and external stigma won’t impede the progress we’ve made and continue to make with mental health? In my opinion, these components are vital to contributing to mental health awareness: increased education and awareness, integrated mental health services, promoting acceptance and empathy, and peer and community support. What's more, by implementing these components I believe we can improve treatment and promote overall well-being with communities and around the world.
Key Concepts:
As we have learned over the past 5 weeks, community psychology is the branch of psychology that reflects on a person’s environment and the interactions that they have in society, and how those interactions affect the person. (Juras et al., 2010) Community psychology has various concepts that can be used to enhance its processes depending on the environment in which these processes are being utilized. Many concepts are outlined in community psychology but the five key concepts that I would like to discuss. are.: Empowerment, Prevention, Social Justice, Ecological Perspective, Collaboration and Community Action. (Juras, et al., 2010)
1. Community psychology emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals and communities to address their own needs in hopes of creating a positive change. This response involves promoting participation, collaboration, and leadership within communities to enhance resilience and well-being. Receiving support from your community can build more resilient community members. (Juras et al., 2010) Empowerment involves building the capacity of individuals and communities to take control of their own lives while working collectively to address social problems. Community psychologists promote empowerment through participatory approaches that involve community members in all stages of their research and intervention process.
2. Prevention is the central focus of community psychology, focusing on proactive strategies to prevent social problems and promote positive mental health outcomes. Rather than waiting for a problem to arise, community psychologists strive to identify and address underlying causes of social issues before they can escalate. This may involve implementing interventions at multiple levels (individual, family, community, society) these interventions promote resilience, social support, and positive coping strategies. By applying these early interventions, it reduces risks and promotes the protective factors at the individual, family, and community levels.
3. Community psychology is deeply rooted in the principles of social justice. Community psychologists advocate for equitable access to resources, opportunities, and rights for all members of society. (Juras et al., 2010) Social justice is a core value of community psychology. Community psychologists advocate for policies and programs that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, and they work to address systemic barriers to well-being, such as poverty, racism, sexism, and discrimination. This issue involves addressing systemic inequalities, advocating for marginalized groups, and promoting social change to create inclusive communities.
4. Community psychologists take an ecological perspective, recognizing the interconnectedness between individuals, communities, and larger social systems. This perspective emphasizes the importance of considering multiple levels of influence including interpersonal, organizational, and societal factors, in understanding human behavior and promoting wellbeing. Community psychology emphasizes the importance of understanding behavior within its social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts. This ecological perspective recognizes the complex interactions between individuals and their surroundings, including social systems, institutions, and physical environments.
5. Collaboration and Community is essential in community psychology. Community psychologists work in partnership with community members, organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to identify needs, develop interventions, and advocate for social change. This collaborative approach ensures that interventions are culturally sensitive, relevant, and sustainable. Collaboration and community action are the fundamental concepts in community psychology, emphasizing the importance between researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community members. (Juras, et al., 2010) By emphasizing the importance of building on existing strengths and resources within communities rather than focusing solely on deficits and problems, community psychologists seek to identify and leverage the assets, skills, and resilience of individuals and communities to promote well-being and social change. Respecting the diversity of individuals and communities, including their cultural backgrounds, values, beliefs, and practices. Community psychologists continue to strive to develop culturally competent interventions that are sensitive to the needs and preferences of diverse populations.
Through empowerment, prevention, social justice, ecological perspective, and collaboration community psychologist strives to create environments where individuals and communities can thrive. By empowering individuals and communities to address their own needs and preventing social change before it arises, advocating for social justice while considering the interconnectedness of the system. Embracing these concepts allows for the development of effective interventions that address the root cause of social issues and promote positive outcomes for individuals and communities.
Stakeholder Perceptions:
Question # 1: Are the concepts identified readily agreed upon or contentious?
The five key concepts that I have identified: Empowerment, Prevention, Social Justice, Ecological Perspective, and Community and Collaboration are concepts that are agreed upon throughout the community psychology field. While the key concepts of community psychology provide a framework for understanding and addressing social issues, they are not always universally agreed upon within the field. Like any interdisciplinary field, community psychology encompasses diverse perspectives, theories, and approaches, which can lead to both consensus and contention among practitioners and researchers.
The ecological perspective, which emphasizes the importance of understanding behavior within its social context, is widely accepted within community psychology. Most practitioners recognize the interconnectedness of individuals and their environments and the need to consider multiple levels of influence in understanding and addressing social issues.
Prevention is generally seen as a central focus of community psychology. Most practitioners agree on the importance of identifying and addressing underlying causes of social problems before they escalate, although there may be differences in approaches to prevention and the prioritization of certain types of interventions.
Empowerment is a core value of community psychology, with most practitioners endorsing the importance of building the capacity of individuals and communities to take control of their own lives and to work collectively for social change.
Concepts that typically cause contention:
Social justice is a core value of community psychology, there may be disagreements among practitioners about the best strategies for achieving social justice and the extent to which political activism should be integrated into research and practice.
Collaboration is generally seen as essential in community psychology, but there may be disagreements about power dynamics within collaborations and the extent to which community members should be involved in decision-making processes. While cultural competence is widely recognized as important, there may be debates about how best to integrate cultural considerations into research and practice and about the role of cultural humility and ongoing learning in working with diverse populations.
While action research is a common methodology in community psychology, there may be debates about the balance between scientific rigor and community relevance, as well as about issues of power and representation in research collaborations.
Overall, while there may be some contention around specific concepts and approaches, community psychology is characterized by a commitment to collaboration, social justice, and empowerment in addressing social issues and promoting well-being within communities. These shared values provide a foundation for dialogue and debate within the field.
Question #2: How are the concepts understood by different stakeholder groups (police, educators, business owners, taxpayers, and so on) in the community? Provide specific examples to support your position.
Stakeholders from various groups within a community understand the concepts of community psychology in varied ways based on experience, their perspectives, or through education related to their occupation. The approach that each stakeholder has to the concepts will vary I will give an example of how each stakeholder is affected by empowerment and how they act on it in a community setting.
Community members can interpret empowerment as having a voice or the ability to make decisions in the community, these decisions play a huge role in affecting the lives of the community members. For example, for children participating at a community recreation center empowerment may be the ability of the community members to show up for various activities and volunteer when they can.
Law enforcement/ Local government may play a role in empowerment by engaging with the community members, walking through neighborhoods getting to know community residents while also having the ability to play a part in the decision-making process in the community.
Nonprofits may empower the community by giving the community members a voice and allowing them to have the ability to speak for themselves about what the community needs. For example, a nonprofit might empower low-income housing communities with resources and support to access employment opportunities.
These examples demonstrate how stakeholders play an active role in communities. From their unique perspectives and the various roles that each stakeholder plays their priorities to address the community needs might differ but the result with each stakeholder is to address community needs and promote social change.
By working together, stakeholders can identify shared goals, leverage resources, and implement effective interventions that address community needs and promote social change. These six key concepts listed above are just some of the concepts that are utilized throughout community psychology. These and other concepts help to form a coherent framework for understanding and building healthy communities.
System View:
As a systems thinker, understanding how various agencies interact in the community involves recognizing their interconnectedness and how their goals, missions, and outcomes influence one another. Let's discuss two agencies - a local community health clinic and a non-profit organization focused on youth development - and explore how their goals align and support the community:
The mission of the community health clinic is to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services to underserved populations in the community. They aim to promote preventive care, improve health outcomes, and reduce health disparities. The clinic's goals include providing comprehensive medical care, preventive screenings, vaccinations, and health education to individuals and families in the community. They also aim to increase access to healthcare services for uninsured and underinsured residents.
By fulfilling their mission and goals, the community health clinic contributes to several positive outcomes for the community. These outcomes may include improved overall health and well-being among residents, reduced rates of preventable diseases, increased access to healthcare for marginalized populations, and a stronger sense of community connectedness and support. The non-profit organization's mission is to empower youth through education, mentorship, and skill-building programs. They aim to provide opportunities for personal growth, academic success, and positive youth development.
The organization's goals include offering after-school programs, tutoring services, leadership development workshops, and recreational activities for youth in the community. They also aim to foster supportive relationships between youth and adult mentors and to provide resources and support for academic achievement and career readiness.
Through their mission and goals, the non-profit organization contributes to various positive outcomes for the community. These outcomes may include increased academic achievement and graduation rates among youth, reduced rates of juvenile delinquency and substance abuse, improved self-esteem and confidence among participants, and a stronger sense of community engagement and social cohesion.
The community health clinic and the non-profit organization may collaborate to address overlapping needs and goals within the community, such as providing health education workshops for youth or offering mental health support services in conjunction with after-school programs.
Referral Networks: The clinic may refer patients to the non-profit organization's youth programs as part of a holistic approach to health and well-being, recognizing the importance of addressing social determinants of health, such as education and social support, in addition to medical care. - Advocacy: Both agencies may engage in advocacy efforts to promote policies and funding initiatives that support the health and well-being of community members, such as advocating for increased funding for youth development programs or for policies that expand access to healthcare services for low-income residents. By working together and aligning their goals and missions, the community health clinic and the non-profit organization can have a synergistic impact on the well-being of the community, addressing a range of interconnected needs and promoting positive outcomes for individuals and families.
Your Role in the System:
As a military service member, I am a part of the military system, which encompasses various branches of the armed forces, such as the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The military system is a complex organizational structure with its hierarchies, rules, regulations, and missions. It operates within a larger societal and governmental system but has distinct roles and responsibilities related to national defense, and security. And maintaining readiness to respond to threats and emergencies. Working as a mental health counselor assisting with the treatment of active duty, veterans, and their family members my role will encompass providing support and services within the community not only to service members and their families but also to the surrounding community.
These services may include healthcare facilities, mental health resources, educational opportunities, and recreational programs. By providing these services it will contribute to the overall well-being of the community and promotes access to essential resources. Being actively engaged with local communities through outreach events, volunteer activities, and collaborative initiatives. This engagement will help to build positive relationships between potential clients and individuals within the community while fostering mutual understanding and strengthening community ties.
My role is to assist in addressing social issues within the community, such as homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence. I plan to collaborate with local organizations and agencies to provide support and resources to individuals and families facing these challenges. Additionally, I will become an advocate to train and receive any additional training in areas such as suicide prevention and resilience, which can be applied within the community context. Overall, my purpose as a mental health counselor within the community, from a community psychology perspective, is to promote well-being, strengthen social connections, and address social issues through the provision of services, community engagement, economic contributions, and collaboration with local organizations. By working together with my potential clients and community partners I plan to contribute to the resilience and vitality of the communities I serve.
Topics of Interest:
As I continue to expand my knowledge in the field of psychology and progress in my professional development one of my career aspirations would be to work with clients that suffer from codependency issues.
What is Codependency?
Codependency is a complex and often misunderstood issue that can significantly impact individuals' mental health and well-being. In the field of mental health counseling, working with clients who struggle with codependency requires a unique understanding of the dynamics involved with the disorder and the effective therapeutic interventions to help and assist them.
Codependency is a pattern of behavior characterized by excessive reliance on others for approval, validation, and a sense of self-worth, often at the expense of one's own needs and boundaries. It commonly occurs in relationships where there is addiction, dysfunction, or trauma, and is marked by enabling caretaking, and a lack of healthy emotional boundaries.
Codependent individuals may struggle with low self-esteem, difficulty asserting themselves, and a tendency to prioritize others' needs over their own. Working with clients who struggle with codependency poses unique challenges for mental health counselors. It requires therapists to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, address underlying trauma and attachment issues, and help clients develop healthier patterns of relating to themselves and others.
Counselors must be mindful of their boundaries and avoid reinforcing codependent patterns in the therapeutic relationship.
One concept that would be valuable to study in the context of working with clients with codependency is the role of mindfulness-based interventions in promoting recovery and resilience. Mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance, is effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. In the context of codependency, mindfulness can help clients develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation skills, and the ability to set healthy boundaries. A potential research study could explore the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in treating codependency, including its impact on reducing enabling behaviors, improving self-esteem, and enhancing overall well-being. This study could utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative measures of symptom reduction with qualitative interviews to explore clients' experiences and perceptions of the intervention.
Working with clients who struggle with codependency requires mental health counselors to be attuned to the complex interplay of psychological, interpersonal, and systemic factors involved. By further studying the role of mindfulness-based interventions in treating codependency, counselors can expand their therapeutic toolkit and offer more effective support to clients on their journey toward recovery and healing.
References:
Social Justice through Collaborative Research and Action https://www.communitypsychology.com/
Jason, L. A., Glantsman, O., O’Brien, J. F., & Ramian, K. N. (2019). Introduction to the field of Community Psychology. In L. A. Jason, O. Glantsman, J. F. O’Brien, & K. N. Ramian (Eds.), Introduction to Community Psychology: Becoming an agent of change. https://press.rebus.community/introductiontocommunitypsychology/chapter/intro- to- community-psychology/
Sutton, Jeremy PhD., (2020) Community Psychology: 20+ Theories & Interventions
Community Psychology: 20+ Theories & Interventions (positivepsychology.com)
World Health Organization (WHO)
https//:www.who.int/health-topics/mental health
Juras, Jennifer L., Mackin, Juliette R., Curtis, Stacey E., Foster-Fishman, Pennie G. K (08Jun 2010) “Key Concepts of Community Psychology: Implications for Counseling in Educational and Human Service Settings.” Journal of Education and Psychological Consultation. https://doi.org/10.1207/s1532768xiep0802_2
