Hillary Lopez

Responsibilities

I was responsible for overseeing a handful of clients during their time at enrichment that is meant to serve clients with mild mental health issues. I developed six different daily activities for them that would keep them engaged and would promote Orchard Place values. The goal is to help them develop social skills and self-regulation strategies before they transition back to school.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment was being able to help clients self-regulate and becoming a safe person for them to trust and go to if they had any concerns. Self-regulation is important for them to achieve on their own but sometimes they need a reminder of how to accomplish it and being able to remind them in an appropriate manner was a rewarding experience because I was indirectly helping them get there. Every client is different and has experienced different traumas which is why becoming a safe person for a handful of clients is my greatest accomplishment because I was able to build rapport with the client.

Learning experience

During my time at Orchard Place as an enrichment intern, I have learned to have an open mindset throughout every situation because it might not be what I was expecting but it’s all a learning experience. I also learned to be adaptable and flexible with unexpected situations and clients. Planning activities out might not go as expected and adapting according to the situation is the best way to approach unexpected outcomes. Being able to adapt to different clients because I have to meet them where they’re emotionally, and energetically.

What advice would you give?

I would tell them to prepare for unexpected situations and use them to reflect on yourself. Get to know the organization and their mission and values because you want to find the right fit for yourself. Ask a lot of questions because you get to learn from experienced peers and get more viewpoints. If you’re ever in doubt it’s best to ask your supervisor how it should be handled, especially if the organization has certain procedures set in place for a reason. Be open to different perspectives and enjoy the process each day is a new learning opportunity, and you get to learn a lot outside of what the textbooks teach you.