Through her work at Helping Hands Home, Children & Society BDP student Apryl Saloma had the opportunity to work directly with kids by developing and leading weekly therapy groups.
"The most rewarding aspect of my Connecting Experience was having the opportunity to work directly with the kids at HHH.”
Where did you intern?
I interned at the Helping Hand Home For Children in Austin, TX.
How did you find this internship?
I was first made aware of Helping Hand Home (HHH) through a flyer sent out by a professor. I worked at HHH in Summer 2023 and it was an enriching experience. HHH does not typically accept undergraduate interns, but I still decided to contact HHH's Director of Clinical Services.
What kind of work did you do as an intern?
My internship involved me working directly with Micki Marquardt, HHH's Director of Clinical Services. I essentially got to shadow her and experience what it takes to manage the clinical department of a children's residential treatment center. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to develop my own weekly therapy group for the children at HHH. With the help of Micki and other LCSW's and LPC's, I developed a trauma-informed, sensory-based play therapy intervention group. Each group session was held in an indoor "play-gym" with 1-3 kids at a time.
What was the most rewarding aspect of your Connecting Experience?
The most rewarding aspect of my Connecting Experience was having the opportunity to work directly with the kids at HHH. Our therapy group was held after school on Fridays, so it was a great way for the kids to reflect on their week, let off steam, and celebrate the upcoming weekend. I loved being able to implement a new activity in their weekly routine. When Micki and I walked through the home’s door to pick up the kids for the activity, they were always excited to participate.
In what ways has this Connecting Experience shaped your plans for the future?
My Connecting Experience taught me a lot about social work and what it's like to work with disadvantaged populations. I feel lucky to have worked alongside LCSWs and LPCs to gain a new perspective outside the classroom.
Please discuss the relationship that you had with your faculty mentor(s), and how they helped you during this Connecting Experience.
I couldn't have asked for a better faculty mentor than Dr. Sarah K. Angulo. She is a wonderful professor and truly goes above and beyond to support her students and their futures. Dr. Angulo offered me guidance through the last semesters of my undergraduate education and assisted me with my post-graduation plans. If you are a psychology student, I would absolutely recommend you take her classes!