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Wesley A. Bosch, M.A. <br />April 12, 2011 <br />This section of the RFQ response reflects an expansion of my summary of qualifications and <br />experience in the areas related to the Career Counselor position being offered. <br />Personal Counseling <br />My Counseling work at the SAWC over the past 14 years has involved me in consulting with <br />customers and staff on a variety of issues and concerns related, in general, to personal, <br />interpersonal, and/or behavioral barriers to success. Some more specific examples of these <br />include high levels of stress accompanied with disabling fear; marital conflict related to pressures <br />of limited money, lack of work, or uncooperative partner support for school/training and study <br />time; depression with suicidal thoughts and feelings; profound grief; feelings of being lost, not <br />knowing what direction to go in; feelings of being overwhelmed by a myriad of problems in their <br />lives, including family issues that their unemployment status only added to; and a sense of <br />isolation; among others. <br />The duration of counseling ranges from one or two sessions for clarification, encouragement, <br />and support, up to a few months of weekly sessions when problems or the need for ongoing <br />emotional support persist while still unemployed. I have generally been effective in helping <br />customers improve their coping skills and ego strength, self-esteem, developing a more positive <br />outlook with a sense of hope, and a reduction in relationship conflicts or in process of resolving <br />them. Additionally, a benefit has been improvement in their motivation and functioning in their <br />job search or training activity, including increases in their activity level and more effective and <br />positive job interviewing. I provided referrals on occasions when evaluation revealed the need <br />for outside mental or medical healthcare services or other resources. <br />My previous mental health services was to persons with a wide range of disorders and conditions <br />in a variety of roles and settings, such as direct patient care in state, county, and private <br />hospitals, hospital psychiatric social work, group leadership and program development, in- and <br />outpatient consultation, outpatient private practice, and employment assistance program (EAP) <br />counseling. <br />Through attendance of continuing education programs, reading, and personal discussion with <br />other professionals, I remain up-to-date with current information and developments in the <br />mental health field. <br />Career Counseling <br />Concerning career issues, I often work with customers presenting with complaints of not having a <br />clear idea or goal, especially when their previous occupational field is diminishing or recognizing <br />that they are not progressing in life after bouncing from one unfulfilling job to another. With some <br />individuals, it becomes evident how career and personal counseling can and do overlap, as the <br />issues of one area are often affected by the other. <br />Within a few sessions, customers generally become clearer about their realistic career goal <br />options, engaging in occupational research, and make decisions about reaching their goals. <br />This may involve referrals for case management and training, to other One-Stop partner agency <br />staff, or outside resources. <br />2 <br />25C-13