Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

1. 1 Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio Douglas W. Worthy, R.N. B.A. Psychology/Substance Abuse 2010

2. Personal Statement My childhood was a difficult one marked by alcoholism, abuse, neglect, and my own physical limitations. My father resented my physical limitations. I was a stutterer and had suffered from polio at the age of three months. I wore braces on my legs well into the second grade and showed little interest in my father’s beloved television sports. I occupied my time alone in my room reading books, drawing pictures, and makingup “fairy-tales” to amuse my younger sister. The one bond I shared with my father was the beer he shared with me, usually while in the car. In the first grade I began taking sips of cocktails from neighbors and friends at my parents’ parties. This was usually accompanied by superficial acceptance from the party-goers. Laughter, caresses, and some conversation with these adults led me to feel as if I were worthyof their attentions. This spiral into alcohol abuse continued throughout my childhood and adolescence. By the time I was able to leave my family, I was a full-fledged alcoholic and drug addict. Although my drugs of choice were vodka and Quaaludes, I managed to graduate from high school with decent grades and muddle through my military career for six years. I went through a series of disastrous relationships, separation from my mother and sisters, repeatedly failed employment, and a failed suicide attempt. Then in 1981, I met my partner, Chuck. My life began to change, I went to nursing school, rehabilitation, and began cognitive-behavioral therapy. I became proficient at attending 12 step programs and learned to value myself, give and receive love, and establish cherished relationships with my mother, sisters, and friends. I learned to create a family of choice rather than be relegated to a family of chance. In 1984 I graduated from nursing school with honors. Chuck and I moved to Texas and I began a career of technical excellence. In 1988, I was selected for Who’s Who in American Nursing, honored for my work in Critical Care alongside Penelope Standers. Together we had created a C.A.R.E. Unit for St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston, Texas. The Coronary Assessment, Rehabilitation, and Education Unit provided post-critical care for survivors of coronary disease, allowing them to take charge of their own rehabilitation. It was then that I began to take an interest in psychology. I realized, not so much from my own experiences as a survivor, but from the revelations of my patients, that a positive attitude equaled a positive survival. Some of my patients were alcoholics: a few of them incest and sexual abuse survivors. Their stories of survival just poured out of them after having experienced a potentially life-threatening event. They wanted to purge themselves of their secrets. I was not educated to assist them other than to lend an ear and share my own story, so Penelope and I saw the need to involve psychologists in their care. I had believed my nursing degree to be an end to my academic career, after all, the money was decent, I was adept at the technical aspects, and had the respect of my peers, but I increasingly became aware of my dissatisfaction of healing the body when so many of my patients were not happy or even satisfied with their lives. Too many had given up on their lives because they felt little recourse. I knew I had to do something, however little or great, to make a difference. I discussed my options with my partner, pondering the difficulties of changing careers so late in life. Together, we decided the best course was to take the chance and go for the gusto. My intentions are to work with adult survivors of child abuse, especially those who have found themselves coping by turning to alcohol, drugs, and other risky behaviors . My goal is to attain my Psy.D. with an emphasis in adult psychology. I intend to achieve this at Argosy University in Atlanta. I believe the life experiences and lessons I have learned to this point make me uniquely empathetic to assist the population with whom I have chosen to work. I look forward to the education that will prepare me to achieve the excellence required to augment my experiences and am proud of the undergraduate work I have achieved toward this goal.

3. Resume Education: Argosy University: Online - Phoenix, AZ…………………………………….. (Mar 2010) Bachelor of Arts – Psychology / Substance Abuse Vincennes University: Vincennes, Indiana …………………………………… (May 1984) Associate of Science – Nursing George C. Wallace College: Dothan, Alabama ………………………………. (May 1975) Theatre Employment History: Pruitt Corporation – United Hospice Atlanta, Norcross, GA …………………. (2007-2009) Case Manager (Community Hospice) Responsible for direct patient care, liaison with Medical Director and ancillary care providers such as social worker, chaplain, bereavement coordinator, and pharmacy. Supervision of care given by Certified Nursing Assistant and community resources. Counseling and education of patient, family, and other home care providers including course of patient health and impending death. Consoling loved ones through course of illness and at time of death. Pruitt Corporation – UPAC Fairburn, Fairburn, GA ………………………….. (2002-2007) Shift Manager (Long Term Care) Responsible for direct patient care, liaison with Medical Director and Primary Care Provider. Liaison with ancillary care providers such as social worker, omsbudsman, chaplain, and pharmacy. Supervision of care given by Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants and other paraprofessionals. Counseling and education of patient, family, and Healthcare Power of Attorneys regarding the course of patient health, medical and nursing care plans, or impending death. Consoling loved ones through course of illness, rehabilitation, or at time of death. Self-employed - LTC Consultants, Fairburn, GA……………………………… (1995-2002) Internet Nurse Consultant Responsible for locating appropriate and affordable Long Term Care providers in patient’s and/or family’s area of residence. Investigation of LTC facility’s State Surveys, and relating to client strengths and weaknesses of proposed facility including nursing and ancillary health services, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, and dietary. Serve as patient and family advocate. Education of patient and family regarding appropriate expectations of healthcare and as expert in Nursing Care Plan direction of individual diagnoses. Expert witness in insurance and civil testimonies.

4. Reflection I have enjoyed my years at Argosy University majoring in Psychology with an emphasis in Substance Abuse. Combined with my own experiences, personal and professional, I am well prepared for graduate school. I am hoping to be accepted into the PsyD program at Argosy University – Atlanta in the fall of 2010. I have formed some lasting relationships with students and professors alike, although I must admit, I miss the face-to-face experience as in a Real World classroom. I have learned a great deal about myself and the world in which I live by being exposed to students from all over the world. Although ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, and sometimes genders, are difficult to discern in an online environment, most students have been very forthcoming about themselves in relevant postings, biographies and in the Student Café. I am able to choose from and appraise a wide range of psychological perspectives and theories as well as present my own perspective effectively in a written and multimedia presentation. I have learned to arrange information from a variety of sources integrating reasoned appraisals appropriate to my emphasis in psychology and substance abuse. I am able to recognize and apply higher levels of organization and apply appropriate levels of written work for specific audiences on varied topics. At Argosy, I have been taught to engage in ethical thinking, to recognize subtle breaches in ethical practices, and construct alternative analyses of behaviors. Comprehensive explanations that incorporate psychological principles have been a part of my education preparing me to define empirical data, solve problems, explain social issues, and to deal with everyday life situations.

5. Table of Contents Cognitive Abilities: An Exploration of the Literature Concerning the Correlation Between Child Abuse and the Subsequent Abuse of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs by the Surviving Adult – February 16, 2010 Research Skills: The Disease Model of Addiction Theory as it Relates to “Madame X” Communication Skills: Harvey's Recovery from Alcoholism and His Beginning as an Effective Spouse, Father, and Community Activist Ethics and Diversity Awareness: The Family Hero’s Movement Through Trans-theoretical Recovery Foundations of Psychology: Peter’s Multimodal Therapy Applied Psychology: The Effects of Media Exposure on Children and Their Consequential Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs Interpersonal Effectiveness: Assessment and Treatment of Suicidality

6. My Future in Learning I aspire to obtain my doctorate in Clinical Psychology and as a psychologist, I will subsequently pursue continuing education within the A.P.A. and community. My intended emphasis in practice is in gender and sexuality studies, particularly as they influence and are influenced by alcohol and substance abuse.

7. Contact Me Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio. For further information, please contact me at the e-mail address below. douglasworthy@att.net