2. Personal Statement
I am seeking my Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a
concentration in criminal justice. I feel that I sought this degree after
realizing that I not only desire to help people, I am actually really good
at it. I have a well-rounded history of personal experience that can
benefit me in such a career choice. I have always had to fight harder
than most to achieve the goals that I desired. Through personal
experience I have developed an unwavering confidence that anything is
attainable. My experiences have undoubtedly shaped me into a very
strong, compassionate person who yearns to make a difference in the
lives of those who feel no difference can be made. The same resiliency
that has helped me to achieve my past goals will certainly assist me in
my determination to practice psychology. My experiences may not be
entirely unique, but my response to these obstacles has shaped me
into the strong, independent, and compassionately driven individual I
am today. I realize that furthering my education and career will provide
many more obstacles. Nevertheless, these barriers will help to mold me
into the mental health professional that I strive to be.
3. Resume
PROFILE
I have achieved a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in criminal justice. I have
knowledge of the DSM, physiological functions in psychology, and therapy practices. I have gained
extensive knowledge about the APA and ACA Codes of Ethics. I have a variety of previous work
experience, proving that I can succeed in any environment.
EDUCATION
Argosy University Nashville, Tn.
Bachelor of Psychology
Concentration in Criminal Justice
Graduated: December 2011
David Lipscomb High School Nashville, Tn.
High School Diploma
Graduated: May 2006
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Metro Nashville Public Schools Special Education Substitute Nashville, Tn.
Aug. 2010 – May 2011
Responsibilities:
Assist absent teachers in daily routine
Care for special education children
Assist children in daily activities such as motor skill-building exercises, therapy, etc.
4. Resume
The Appointment Desk, LLC Nashville, Tn.
March 2009 – Aug. 2010
Responsibilities:
Organization of Real Estate Listings throughout Tennessee and Kentucky
Customer Service via Telephone
Making and organizing appointments
Longhorn Steakhouse Cookeville, Tn.
Jan. 2008 – Jan. 2009
Responsibilities:
Customer Service
Lead Hostess
Organization of Front-of-House
Sonic Drive-In Cookeville, Tn.
Aug. 2007 – Jan. 2008
Responsibilities:
Food Service
Customer Service
Team Leadership
Sonic Drive-In Nashville, Tn.
Aug. 2004 – Aug. 2006
Responsibilities:
Customer Service
Organization of Finances
Train New Employees
5. Resume
Belle Forest Animal Hospital Nashville, Tn.
Aug. 2003 – Aug. 2004
Responsibilities:
Caring for animals
Assisting Veterinarians with medical procedures
Grooming
REFERENCES
Dan Edwards – LPC/MHSP, NCC Kristi Thompson Kathy Gilliam
Nashville Vet Center Vanderbilt University Pelham Elementary School
Phone: 615-366-1220 Phone: 615-516-3571 Phone: 931-224-2103
6. Reflection
The years that I have spent at Argosy University have been the best
academic years spent to date. I have learned much about myself as
well as the fields of psychology and criminal justice. I have learned to
formulate reasoned opinions on a wide range of psychological theories.
I am able to correctly summarize the research design, statistical and
other evaluative tools, and findings of scholarly articles in my field. I
have learned to excel in research, data collection, APA format, and
written work, as well as preparing and presenting presentations. I have
achieved extensive knowledge of the codes of ethics within the
psychology and criminal justice fields, providing me with an
understanding of the expected quality of care intended for these fields.
As part of my education in ethics, I have also gained understanding of
the importance of engaging in multiculturally-sensitive thought and
action. I am also able to synthesize and evaluate various psychological
theories, and apply them to explain everyday events and experiences.
Argosy was not the school at which I began my undergraduate studies,
but I am certainly proud to finish my undergraduate work, as well as
begin my graduate work, at Argosy University.
7. Table of Contents
Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and
Information Literacy
Research Skills
Communication Skills: Oral and Written
Ethics and Diversity Awareness
Foundations of Psychology
Applied Psychology
Interpersonal Effectiveness
8. Cognitive Abilities
This is an example of a research
question that I completed on the
subject of cell phone use while driving Effects of Cell Phone Use While Driving
and the effects of distracted driving. I
gathered information and narrowed
Cognitive Psychology
down my sources in order to develop
a strong, thorough, and accurate
paper that resulted in support of my Rebecca Elkins
hypothesis.
(Click on the assignment to the right Argosy University
to view paper)
9. Research Skills
This is an example of a research question
that I formulated personally. I researched
peer-reviewed sources, formed a
hypothesis, narrowed my references, and
developed research data and potential
experimental parameters.
(Click on the assignment below to view
paper)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Military Veterans: Active Combat versus Non-Active Combat
Rebecca Elkins
Argosy University
10. Friday, June 24, 2011 Argosy University Rebecca Elkins
Communication Skills
Dual Diagnosis: Alcoholism and Depression
This is an example of a handout and
What is Dual Diagnosis? How Do I Cope with Dual Diagnosis? presentation on dual diagnosis that I
When a person has been diagnosed with The first step towards treatment is going created in order to present the
both a substance abuse problem, as well as through a period of detoxification so that
an emotional or psychiatric problem, it is your body is allowed to clean out any
alcohol or drugs from your system.
information in two different ways that
referred to as dual diagnosis. This is much
more common that one may think. In fact,
37 percent of alcohol abusers and 53 percent
Detoxification can be made easier under
medical supervision with medication, if
are each informative while easy to
necessary, to make the process a more
of drug abusers are dually diagnosed with at
least one mental illness; plus, 29 percent of positive experience (Mental Health understand.
America, 2011). Once the detoxification
those diagnosed with a mental illness also
abuse alcohol or drugs (Mental Health process is complete, the mental and (Click on each to view)
America, 2011). The following table based substance issues can begin to be treated.
on a National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation is an excellent way to go
study, lists seven major psychiatric disorders about the process of recovery. Rehab
and shows how much each one increases an programs will teach you how to be happy
individual’s risk for substance abuse. and enjoy life without the presence of
alcohol or drugs. “Rehabilitation for a
Psychiatric Increased Risk For substance abuse problem usually involves
Disorder Substance Abuse individual and group psychotherapy,
Antisocial 15.5% education about alcohol and drugs, exercise,
personality disorder proper nutrition, and participation in a 12-
Manic episode 14.5 step recovery program such as Alcoholics
Schizophrenia 10.1 Anonymous” (Mental Health America,
Panic disorder 4.3 2011). Treatment for a mental issue such as
Major depressive 4.1 depression can include individual and/or
episode group therapy, being educated in all aspects
Obsessive- 3.4 of the disorder, and even medication. Rehab
compulsive disorder does not always have to mean a stay in a Alcoholism + Depression
Phobias 2.4 hospital-like environment. There are
(Mental Health America, 2011) different levels of rehab depending on the
Often times, the psychological issue severity of the issues ranging from inpatient
develops first. If you are depressed you may treatment, partial hospitalization, or even
attempt to use alcohol in order to feel outpatient treatment.
happier and more care-free, or “self- Another important aspect of recovery is
medicate”. However, this can lead to one’s family and friends. It always helps to
becoming dependent on alcohol in order to Rebecca Elkins
have a support group and there are ways,
feel normal, leading to dual diagnosis. Self- such as family therapy, to help your family
medicating can lead to feeling as if you need get involved with your recovery.
more and more alcohol just to feel happy.
11. Ethics and Diversity Awareness
ACA and APA Codes of Ethics Multicultural Considerations
Ethics in Psychology Ethics in Psychology
Rebecca Elkins Rebecca Elkins
Argosy University Argosy University
These are examples of my work on the topic of ethics and
diversity awareness. (Click on each paper above to view)
12. MIA NERVOSA AND DEPRESSION 1
Foundations of Psychology
Insomnia and Alcohol Migraines and Contralateral Neglect
Physiological Psychology Physiological Psychology
Rebecca Elkins Rebecca Elkins
Argosy University Argosy University
Bulimia Nervosa and Depression These are examples of sample
Physiological Psychology cases where I used critical thinking
and the foundations of psychology
Rebecca Elkins
to assess the needs of the
Argosy University “patients”.
(Click on each assignment to view)
13. Applied Psychology
Shooting at Jake’s Bar and Grill
Forensic Psychology
Rebecca Elkins
Argosy University
These are four different examples of applied psychology.
Throughout my education I have learned the many
applications of this field and I feel that this has given me a
strong, well-rounded education in psychology.
(Click each to view)
14. Interpersonal Effectiveness
Friday, June 3, 2011 Argosy University Rebecca Elkins
Things to Keep in Mind in our Professional Relationships with Inmates
I have gained an excellent
Hazards of Being
Emotionally Involved
Tips to Avoid Being
Emotionally Involved
Steps to Take if You are
Emotionally Involved
understanding of how to communicate
with Inmates with Inmates with an Inmate
with others effectively. These are
“Countertransference In Section C: Introduction In section C.2.g. of the
distorts therapists’ of the ACA Code of Ethics
it states that a counselor
ACA Code of Ethics it examples of an unrelated handout
behavior and perceptions states, “seek assistance for
in terms of how they
respond to clients. It is,
must “engage in self-care
activities to maintain and
problems that reach the
level of professional
and presentation I created in order to
promote their emotional,
therefore, important for
therapists to be aware of physical, mental, and
impairment, and, if
necessary, they limit,
present information to others.
and to identify their own spiritual well-being to best suspend, or terminate their
countertransference in meet their professional
responsibilities”
professional (Click each to view)
order to create a “reality- responsibilities until such
based” empirical view of (American Counseling time it is determined that
the clients” (Argosy Association, 2005). It is a they may safely resume
University, 2011). counselor’s responsibility their work” (American
to keep his or her personal Counseling Association,
There are many hazards issues in check and to seek 2005). If a counselor is
when being emotionally help if the circumstances emotionally involved with
involved with inmates. require it. In section C.2.g. an inmate it is important
Being emotionally of the ACA Code of Ethics that he or she recognize the
involved creates a bias in it states, “Counselors are issue and take the
the treatment that is given. alert to the signs of appropriate steps to fix it.
Treatment can be affected impairment from their own The first step to take would
negatively which is physical, mental, or be to address the issues
detrimental to the inmate’s emotional problems and that you have and try to
Active Combat versus Non-Active Combat
progress. Getting refrain from offering or work them out with a
emotionally involved with providing professional colleague or supervisor. If
an inmate can also make services when such you cannot work through
you vulnerable to being impairment is likely to these issues then referring
manipulated by the inmate harm a client or others” the client to another
in order to get what they (American Counseling counselor would be the
want. As counselors it is Association, 2005). If a next step. If there is a
your responsibility to professional is properly personal issue that is
ensure that the inmate is maintaining oneself then hindering your ability to
receiving the best they should be aware of perform as a professional, Rebecca Elkins
treatment available. If their own issues and it may be necessary to, in Argosy University
countertransference does should be able to recognize some cases, even limit
occur, it is always in the when their issues begin to your professional
client’s best interest to be hinder their work with a responsibilities until able
referred to another client. to perform them without
counselor. issue.
References:
15. My Future in Learning
The field of psychology is a vast ocean of mystery.
There is so much that is unknown, one cannot expect
to ever be done learning in this field. Psychology is
advancing constantly and there is a wealth of
knowledge to be had, regardless of how much
experience one has within this field. I intend to
always keep an open mind and allow myself to learn,
grow, and evolve along with my chosen field. If I were
not passionate enough about psychology to do such,
I would not pursue a career in this field. I am willing
and excited to continue learning throughout the rest
of my life.
16. Contact Me
Thank you for viewing my
ePortfolio.
For further information, please
contact me at the e-mail address
below.
KBElkins09@gmail.com
