Jail House Rock

Ok, I know, cheesy title, but that's what song's playing on the radio right now (Krock), and it suits my day just fine!

I had an orientation and tour of the jail that I will be doing my internship at today...and WOW! I have to say, it was an eye-opening, and EXCITING experience!!!!

My supervisor gave me a tour of the whole correctional center, and I met quite a few people working there. I also met a correctional security guard who is a World Champion Shodo-Kan Karate champion, 4th degree black belt. My supervisor thought we would get along well since karate is one of my passions as well. Somehow, I doubt I will be spending alot of time where he works though (the inmates'cell unit).

I met another psychologist and him and I had some fantastic conversation, about what kind of inmates come in, comparing models of thearpy (I know, geek psychology talk). He filled me in on some stories about his past therapy experiences with clients. I was intrigued! Actually, I think I was just so happy to be able to understand all the terminology and apply some relevant information to his stories.

The most exciting part was sitting in on one of his therapy sessions with an inmate. As the psychologist was interviewing him, literally, I could feel all those years of reading about psychology personality disorders coming to life. Lightbulbs were popping up as I sat there, fascinated with being able to see these personality disorders that I've been reading about all these years...COME TO LIFE!!!

I just had an exam on Personality Disorders, Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, so it was still very fresh in my mind, and I knew exactly what diagnose each inmate probably had, just by listening to them talk.

Seriously, very interesting stuff. I met a guy who was narcissitic, (self-centered, self-admiring), a paranoid schizophrenic, and a very delusional inmate..let me tell you, she was quite a character!!! She made absolutely no sense because her brain is so clouded from doing crack; yet, I had to pretend that I was understanding what she was saying.

Quite amusing.

And on top of that, I met the other intern students, and turns out that one of the occupational therapist students is a acquaintance friend of mine that I had not seen or heard from in about a year! So that was very cool.

I go back tomorrow, and am VERY excited!