Introspection Helped Challenge Bias, Find Direction For Philadelphia Counselor
Serge Levin works for the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services as a mental health delegate. Services by the DBHIDS are provided by various agencies while working with the Philadelphia School District, child welfare, and judicial systems. DBHID helps individuals with intellectual limitations live autonomous lives while offering various services and support. Serge earned his bachelor's degree from Boston University and his master's degree at La Salle University.
Where did you get your degree?
"I received my Master of Arts in Professional Clinical Counseling from La Salle University."
Can you describe your duties as a Psychologist?
"My work consists of serving as a psychiatric emergency services coordinator. The duties of that range from offering basic guidance in obtaining mental health services to approving or denying applications for involuntary commitments, as well as servicing the city's Suicide & Crisis Hotline and Lifeline, the national suicide prevention talk line."
How has education prepared you for your career in Psychology and social sciences?
"I believe the most valuable part of my education went beyond teaching tangible counseling techniques or specific knowledge of mental health disorders, which, of course, are essential. My program of clinical professional counseling at times felt like therapy itself, as it required constant introspection and encouraged increased understanding of self and others. It also helped me discover the modality of therapy that would best leverage my capabilities, and repeatedly pushed me to challenge my own bias. The culmination of all this study and analysis was a year-long internship, with group meetings where we could safely engage in a discussion of our first experiences of counseling others. Most of the professors were also active clinicians, which allowed for unique insight and even better modeling. Overall, the program allowed me to develop a healthy base of knowledge from which to grow and instilled the need to continue my own development as a person and as a clinician. Therapy helps develop the necessary insight to affect behavior in both yourself and in others. I felt that my education in the field helped develop that."
What advice would you give someone who is pursuing a career in Psychology?
"To get the most out of it, allow your studies and this field to become more than a career path. Remain open and yet conscious of issues that may come up as you grow as a professional, so you can reap the benefits of this rewarding, meaningful pursuit."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She reports on various topics such as: Social Media, Local Events, Entertainment, Food and Drink and more. Her work can be found at http://firstsendmedia.com/
