S.A.C.E.S 2016: Celebrating Resilience in New Orleans!

            Wednesday night I touched down in the crescent city ready to execute my role as a volunteer at the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision conference where I'm looking to expand my knowledge and gain some tools as a mental health counseling graduate student at Immaculata University in South Eastern Pennsylvania.

            This post serves as a brief introduction to my most recent venture here in New Orleans (second time and feelin' fine), as well as an open invitation for those of you I got to chat and share stories with through out the conference. Below I'm including links to some of my published work as a graduate student writer from my university newspaper (focusing on mental health, mindfulness, and journalism) as well as other links to my current position as a creative writing facilitator for at risk youth in my hometown of West Chester, Pa, just outside of Philadelphia.

Talkin' shop with Volunteer Coordinator Seth Hayden

and SACES President Melanie Iarussi

             For those of you I met or even those I've merely distributed name tags and tickets too, keep up the amazing work your doing and know that the time and energy we put into this field is surely paying dividends to not only our clients and students, but our communities and society as a whole.

             The past few months a reoccurring theme and intention in my life has been a willingness to seek guidance and help in the areas I want to improve/gain knowledge from. Some of us, especially as counselors, may find it hard at times to ask for help. The truth is there's never weakness in asking for a hand, we actually draw strength from putting ourselves out there and being vulnerable, which is real courage.

            Continue to be resilient in your own lives and model it for others to see and understand. Lastly, celebrate that resilience and honor your body, mind and soul for bringing you to such great heights. Much respect and best wishes to each one of you. Here's to our time in the big easy!


Published Works:

Introduction to mindfulness and positive thinking (pg. 4):
http://immaculatan.immaculata.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Final-December-Edition1.pdf


The Ins and Outs of Stereotyping (pg. 4):
http://immaculatan.immaculata.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Immaculatan-February.pdf


My Journey Through Yoga (pg. 6)
http://immaculatan.immaculata.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/March-Final-Version-For-Print.pdf


Refugee Resettlement: The Greatest Humanitarian Crisis of Our Generation
http://immaculatan.immaculata.edu/?p=2477



Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH):

http://www.artsholdinghandsandhearts.com/


Linked In:

https://www.linkedin.com/profile/preview?locale=en_US&trk=prof-0-sb-preview-primary-button