Most people know, but just in case you don’t, I thought that I would tell you a little about what I am volunteering in here to make future posts make more sense.  I am about two-thirds of the way through a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at USF – within the degree, I am getting a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy.  All that boils down to say that eventually, I will be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist.

Because my undergraduate degree was in Spanish, I came to Peru very conversational in Spanish – and thus, offered to volunteer in two local agencies working alongside Peruvian Psychologists in therapy.   Over the past four months, my Spanish and counseling skills have both improved tremendously.  And I have been even more convinced that I have entered the right field for my talents and passions.

During the fall, I actually was able to enroll and participate in my Practicum II class  – which is a requirement to graduate.  This was such a blessing as I was able to share the various cases that I was seeing with my advisor and classmates back home on a weekly basis.  I have averaged about 25 hours a week of volunteering in both agencies – and have totaled more than 200 hours of face-to-face contact with patients.  Thus, I have seen several cases.

As the weeks passed by and Kenzo did an excellent job sharing about his cases, I kind of processed my cases with my class and supervisor, and saved my blogging time for fun – uplifting things about what we’ve been doing.  All the time realizing that I have not 100% been sharing with you what my life really is like here because SO much of it are these patients that I am seeing week after week.  I think that what has kept me from sharing is not really knowing how to process the harder cases (the ones that I think would be more interesting to share) in a way that I am then able to communicate them in a meaningful and organized way.  Additionally, confidentiality is such a large part of the therapeutic relationship that, even though I don’t believe that my patients will be recognized by sharing their stories, I just have an uneasiness of doing so when some are so specific.

BUT – finally, I am ready to share a bit with you.

I am going to start tomorrow by sharing stories of women who have suffered violence – as I share with you more photos from the parade I participated in on November 25^th with Fundacion Cristo Vive – a parade that recognized the Day Against Violence Against Women.

Until then – as I am thinking of my stories – please feel free to email (jakoike@gmail.com) or ask any questions you’d want.  And enjoy these photos of women standing up for what they believe in – their own safety and well-being.