"The willingness to share does not make one charitable; it makes one free. " Robert Brault
Thank you for visiting my Capstone Portfolio!
My name is Ashley Updike. I'm excited to show my work as a Human Service student at Western Washington University. My Capstone Portfolio contains my best academic work in the last two years. The website also contains essays on the Human Service Program outcomes, professional breadth, my culminating project, practicum experiences, syllabus and resume. I am from Bellingham, WA. I worked as a Nursing Assistant for five years after high school, primarily assisting individuals with mental health and dementia disorders. It was working in the healthcare field that I discovered that I enjoyed helping others. My hobbies include watching “scary movies”, photography, cooking, baking and Native American beading My primary academic focus has been in psychology and addiction studies. I earned my Associate of Arts from Northwest Indian College with an emphasis on chemical dependency studies. I transferred to Western Washington University after being awarded the Northwest Indian College Endowment Scholarship. I hold certification as a Chemical Dependency Profession Trainee certification. I would like to thank my parents, friends, grandparents and scholarship foundations that have assisted me in my educational journey.
Philosophy of Helping My personal values are the reason why I want to work in the helping field. I believe chemical dependency is not a moral deficiency and requires access to quality treatment. My practical experience as a counselor intern at Catholic Community Services Recovery Center and Pioneer Center North Center has taught me that client empowerment is fundamental to produce client change. I worked primarily with mothers involved in Department of Child and Family Services, individuals with co-occurring disorders, and people who have been greatly marginalized by society because of their addictions. Great societal change begins first within the individual. I am influenced by the work of the psychologist Carl Rogers and later motivational interviewing techniques. I believe when individuals are given the right tools and education, they have the ability to change. Professional helpers are merely guides to promote change. I have also studied a large amount on privilege and diversity. I value the under-representative experience: ethnic, socio-economical, sexual orientation and gender expression, and disAbility populations. I have spent a great deal studying primarily Native Americans and GLBTQ communities. My clinical approach strives to be culturally sensitive and competent. I also recognize that the individual cannot be separate from their socio-cultural systems. Traditional ways for some individuals is important concept usually ignored in psychology and other helping fields. Affective interventions for all require a strength base approach.
Professional Goals
I entered the human service program to understand system theories, and what it takes to run a non-profit agency. I also wanted to gain more ‘hand-on’ experience. My professional goal is to complete my Chemical Dependency Councilor license. My future educational goal is to earn a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. I would like to have my own private therapy practice someday.