Self-Care Plan
My Best Friend: Sebastion. 2011 – August 2021
Throughout my college experience, I have learned the importance of implementing regular self-care strategies to prevent burnout. Some things that I have implemented and will continue to practice in my life are spending time with my horses, going on solo hikes, and being intentional to carve out time to spend with myself. I have found that the more intentional I am about carving out time to spend with myself, the more my battery is rejuvenated. This time can be spent scrapbooking, going on solo hikes, or spending time with my horses. Continuing to implement these self-care strategies will allow my life to be fuller, prevent burnout, and allow me to be my best self when helping others.
1 Year
After completing my master’s degree in May, I plan to get a job working in the school system as a school social worker. There are multiple school systems around me that have current job openings such as Hamilton County Schools, Bradley County Schools, and Cleveland City Schools. Working in the school system will not only allow me to use the knowledge and skills that I have learned, but it will also allow me to finish completing my School Social Work Certification. Additionally, I plan to take 3 social work classes post-graduation to gain the skills and knowledge of the Trauma and Emergency Management Emphasis. Lastly, I plan to continue advocating for school social workers to become an added job within the Georgia Cumberland Conference to provide mental health services to the smaller Seventh-day Adventist schools.
5 Year
Moving forward 5 years, I plan to have completed 3 additional certifications/licensures. The first one is completion of my licensure exam to become a Licensed Master Social Worker. This will give me more knowledge and open additional possibilities to better serve others. Second, is becoming CHA (Certified Horsemanship Certification) certified. This certification will allow me to grow and develop my horsemanship skills and increase my competency. The third certification is the Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner Certification. This is a 10-month program based out of University of Denver and works to bring together mental health professionals and horses to provide training on equine assisted psychotherapy, equine assisted learning, and other equine therapy techniques. This certification will aid me in opening my nonprofit organization providing equine therapy for individuals and families in the Chattanooga/Cleveland/Dalton area. My last 5 year goal is to have opened a nonprofit equine therapy facility in Cleveland Tennessee to serve children and families using nontraditional therapy techniques.
10 Year
Looking out 10 years, I plan to be working full time in the equine therapy nonprofit business serving children and families. Additionally, I plan to complete my board certification for Equine Interaction Professional in Mental Health or Education/Coaching. This board certification will increase my knowledge and understanding even further and allow me to be more credible to the community that I am serving.