Denver Children's Home Personal Statement

I grew up in a household that utilized mental health services frequently. My mother manages bi-polar and my youngest sister was later treated for the same diagnoses. They both received counseling, as well as medications, at different times to help manage their mental health. My family would sometimes use the local crisis hotline in times of severe suicidal ideation or attempts, and we were extremely grateful for their help and support. Most of the advice I recall seeing around our house seemed to stem from the cognitive-behavioral school of thought. We had simple charts of faulty negative thoughts and their positive counter-thoughts posted on the fridge to help motivate mum on her bad days. She often rewrote her thoughts; sorting through them

The Home runs both a residential and day treatment program for children ages 10-18 years and specializes in cases of trauma and abuse. My role as a youth treatment counselor here has greatly expanded and informed my perspective and skills in the field of psychology. I’ve been able to not only learn about trauma-informed techniques, and the neurosequential model of therapeutics, but to apply them as well. One of the benefits of working with Denver Children’s Home was their use of experiential therapies with the children. They run an art therapy program, make use of therapy dogs and facilitate children’s participation in an equine therapy program also. Over the course of the last two years, I have been able to participate in each of these types of therapies with the clients. It is incredible to watch a horse or a dog influence a client’s approach to challenges, disagreements and communication problems.The safety created through the animal-handler dynamic gives clients a new type of freedom to build trust and insight into their own impact on the relationship. A horse is especially sensitive to the tone of voice used and emotions of their handler, responding accordingly. This has helped clients build skills for other, often more complicated, relationships in their life. Practicing co-regulation to calm a skittish or energetic animal can also help teach and motivate clients to self-regulate, improving their capacity to benefit from the rest of their