Capstone: Day 16

          My mentor had this bag that has certain "props" that help patients better understand what he is trying to say. Props in the bag included a tug of war rope, Chinese handcuffs, a box of raisins, and rubber bands. He showed me how he uses these props on his patients and what kind of psychological ideas they are suppose to touch on. For example, the exercise we did with the box of raisins is used to give the patient a sense of awareness. This exercise helps them to appreciate the good and small things in life and to consider how things come to be how they are. My mentor used this exercise to tie into an assignment he gave me. When I went home, I was suppose to "experience" my first bite if dinner. I had to chew it slowly, paying attention to the smell, taste, texture, and the sound it made while I chewed it. For the second part of the assignment, I had to "observe" a homeless person and think about how they got to where they are now. I found the props to be really helpful for patients, especially for those who are more visual learners. It's one thing to hear it, but it's an entirely different thing to actually see it. This hour with my mentor really showed me how creative you can get as a psychologist. Not everything has to necessarily be done by the book. When my mentor and I meet up tomorrow, we will probably reflect on my assignments.