Internship Stuff

I am very much enjoying my internship this semester and am learning a lot. I primarily work on the sexualized boys unit, for those that have sexual perpetration charges or related concerning behaviors. I have not worked with this population in the past so I am finding it a big learning experience. Some of the topics commonly discussed were ones I never thought I would now be so comfortable talking about so bluntly. Mostly sexual related topics that our culture tends to shy away from talking about. This, however, is the biggest area of concern for these clients in many ways. It is something that needs to be addressed often so the clients have many opportunities to absorb the knowledge and make the appropriate changes within their lives. Although some of the clients have disturbing past behaviors, I never feel concerned for my safety when I am working with them. Occasionally I feel slightly uncomfortable when I realize that a client is having significant or violent fantasies about me or making inappropriate comments about other staff members. These are things I have learned to deal with and address without making it seem that I am fazed by them. I have learned that making this a big deal or not normalizing the behavior can make it more exciting for some of the clients. The most challenging part about working with this population is knowing that some of them will never change. I can see the significant lack of progress, manipulation, lack of remorse, and disregard for rules in some of the clients. With some experience in this population if has become easier for me to continue to work with these clients. I have learned to repeat some of the common themes often and to make the most of periods of motivation and progression. I do not view this as giving up on these clients, I see it as accepting that I can only work slightly harder at motivating the client than they are willing to put in on effort.  I remain positive that some of what I am doing is getting though to them, that I am setting the foundation for further treatment or placements they may have, and/or that I am being a positive adult role in their life. I am careful not to treat them like others typically do – like they are less than other kids their age because of their pasts. I know that part of the reason they have fallen into some of these behaviors is not their fault. Some of them have been abused or neglected and do not understand appropriate boundaries and relationships due to how they have grown up. It is also very rewarding to see the clients that are making positive choices and seem to be trying to make changes in their lives. I know that all of them will backslide when they leave the ECA, but I have hope that they will be able to take some of what they learned and apply it to their lives outside of treatment facilities.