Stepping into the role of a counselor with full responsibility for individual counseling, group facilitation, treatment

planning, psychosocial assessments, family sessions, 30-day reviews with juvenile probation officers, discharge summaries, and

comprehensive assessments has been both an exhilarating and humbling experience. Transitioning from observation and co-

facilitation to leading every aspect of the therapeutic process has deepened my clinical skills, challenged my confidence, and

ultimately solidified my passion for working with youth in the juvenile justice system. Taking ownership of individual

counseling sessions has offered me the most intimate view into the lives of my clients. With each one-on-one session, I’ve

learned to lean into my theoretical orientation, adapting my approach based on client needs. I’ve seen the value of blending

person-centered therapy with cognitive-behavioral interventions, particularly when working with adolescents struggling with

substance use, trauma, and behavioral issues. There is a different level of therapeutic alliance that develops when I am the sole

provider, responsible not just for intervention, but for tracking progress, building trust, and staying consistent. The pressure to

"get it right" at first felt overwhelming. Still, as I settled into the rhythm of each session, I found that presence, authenticity,

and a solid grounding in ethical practice carried me further than perfectionism ever could. Leading group counseling sessions

came with their own set of challenges. Learning to manage group dynamics, redirect disruptive behavior, and foster peer

accountability was a steep but rewarding learning curve. Group sessions demanded a deeper level of awareness of tone, timing,

and energy in the room. They also offered powerful insight into how adolescents relate to one another and how peer influence

can either support or derail growth.  Facilitating discussions around relapse prevention, emotional regulation, or self-worth

required me to create structure while allowing room for vulnerability. I had to let go of the need to control outcomes and

instead focus on creating safety and consistency. Writing treatment plans and psychosocial assessments added another layer of

responsibility. It’s one thing to connect with a client in session; it’s another to distill that information into clinically sound,

measurable, and goal-oriented documentation. Learning to write clear, strengths-based treatment plans that align with

diagnostic impressions was initially daunting. However, I came to see this process as a way to reinforce the therapeutic

roadmap—not just for the client and counselor, but for the multidisciplinary team supporting that youth. Similarly,

psychosocial assessments became more than paperwork—they became a lens through which I could understand the client’s

history, resilience, risk factors, and the systems impacting them.

            Conducting family sessions was another area of growth. Working with the family system, rather than the individual

alone, revealed patterns of communication, trauma, and support that directly influenced treatment. These sessions often

required mediation, psychoeducation, and emotional containment. Parents and guardians brought their pain, confusion, and

fears into the room. It was in these moments that I began to understand the importance of neutrality, validation, and

boundary-setting. Helping families understand addiction, co-occurring disorders, and adolescent development became a key

part of my work. Participating in 30-day reviews with juvenile probation officers pushed me to advocate effectively for

clients while maintaining professional decorum. These meetings were often high-stakes and shaped the trajectory of the client’s

probation status. I learned to communicate progress in clear, behavioral terms and to navigate systems that often prioritize

compliance over growth. Being the voice for the therapeutic side of a client’s journey required confidence, preparation, and

diplomacy.

            Lastly, conducting formal assessments—both diagnostic and risk-related—gave me a sharpened view of how clinical

tools can inform treatment. Administering assessments ethically, interpreting the results accurately, and explaining them in a

developmentally appropriate way has helped me support the broader understanding of each youth. These tools have helped

inform diagnoses, identify treatment needs, and track change over time. Taking full responsibility for clinical tasks has been a

transformative stage in my development as a counselor. I have learned to manage time, regulate my own emotions, ask for

supervision when unsure, and advocate for what is clinically appropriate—even when it’s uncomfortable. These experiences

have shown me the profound impact that consistent, compassionate, and ethically grounded counseling can have, especially

for adolescents navigating systems and circumstances beyond their control. I am leaving this phase more confident, more

skilled, and more committed to this work than ever before.