Counter transference

I was sitting in with my wonderful site supervisor while he worked with a couple and about half  way through the session realized my breathing had changed.  Not only that, but I was getting anxious.  To calm myself I took a few deep breaths and was then able to be present with the clients.  I was also able to engage in the session with some sitting forward, eye contact, and appropriate reflecting.


Afterwards during supervision I brought up the fact that I had begun to feel anxious when the couple was arguing.  My supervisor said "Ah some counter transference for you."  I've read about this in all the many texts a master's degree requires, but it really is more a teaching moment for me when I experience it myself.  A little light went off in my head and I thought, so that's what it is.  And to be honest with myself I think I handled it fairly well.  I recognized it in session, was able to collect myself enough to be present, and apparently wasn't overly noticeable enough to distract the clients.  


This was indeed a learning experience and now that I'm more aware of how counter transference can affect me, I'll be able to self monitor more easily during sessions.  Very grateful for the learning experiences I've had with practicum, so far :)

MBTI indicator

I am a huge fan of Carl Jung's work and before beginning practicum had a small bit of knowledge base for the Myers Briggs Type Indicator.  I learned while working on my graduate coursework that the MBTI, while created by Isabelle Briggs Myers and her mother Katharine Briggs, the actual methodology drew from Carl Jung's theories.  There is more on the creation of the MBTI here and how the actual indicator came to be what it is today.

During my undergraduate work I had taken a quick version of the MBTI that one of the professors gave to my class.  After filling out this 25 question survey, I was given the INFP typology.  Liking the indicator and how it could help you to better understand people, I bought a small book that gave a basic introduction on the MBTI. The book went onto my bookshelf and I still have it today.

At this beginning point in my practicum my site supervisor uses MBTI typologies quite frequently in his practice.    It occurred to me in the 14 years since I took the original questionnaire that my typology may have changed.  There's a very user friendly guide to the Myer's Briggs located here that gives the basics on the 16 different typologies.  Dr. Fly had at one point asked me if I knew what type I was, and I had replied that it had been INFP.  Several life influencing things had happened to me since I'd taken that first test and I was fairly certain that my typology or the level of it may have changed.  For the first time I got to take the actual MBTI, which was very different from the smaller version I'd originally taken, and my appreciation for this indicator has grown.

The MBTI is broken down into three different sections.  It is very subjective and there are no wrong answers.  Unsurprisingly to me, my typology had shifted.  I am now a very clear IN with moderate points for FJ.  The experiences attained through the military and motherhood have led me to include much more planning and forethought in my daily activities than when I had previously taken the shorter MBTI version.  I'm excited to see how this indicator can be used to help understand and interact with clients.

First post

Just a quick introduction:  My name is Jennifer Dattilo Watts and I'm currently a Graduate student through Capella University.  Also an Air Force Veteran (4 years of active duty, no deployments), a military spouse (husband is still active duty & plans to retire), and a mother of 3 kiddos.  We're currently stationed at Langley AFB, VA and so far this has been our favorite location.  Other duty stations I've been at include Edward AFB, CA; Holloman AFB, NM; Lackland AFB, TX; & Sheppard AFB, TX.  

I'm very excited to be beginning my fieldwork experience in the counseling program and actually get out there and work with people.  Eventually I want to specialize in working with military families because I have had the unique experience of being both on the active duty side & on the spouse side of the military.  There is a very distinct military culture that can be difficult to understand if you've never been around the military itself.  I'm hoping the history I have with the military together with my schooling will give me the ability to really connect with and help military families.