prswaim's StandOut® Profile

My name is Paul R. Swaim. I am interested in expanding my understanding of psychology by attending The University of Montevallo, where I would pursue an M.Ed. in Community Counseling. Following this program, I intend to apply for a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and work in the fields of counseling and education, in order to utilize the information I have acquired regarding identity formation and social cohesion. Since graduating Cum Laude in 2008, I have worked at Glenwood Inc.,(“The Autism and Behavior Health Center” of Alabama, Glenwood is a permanent residency mental institution for children and adults with autism, as well as children classified as having severe emotional or behavioral disorders [SED]), as a direct care worker for SED children. I also teach introductory psychology at Virginia College’s Palisades campus in Birmingham, Alabama. My clinical experiences at Glenwood allowed me to observe and lead group therapy and provide crisis intervention for clients exhibiting homicidal, suicidal, or self-injurious behaviors. Additionally, there were opportunities to observe and participate in individual service provider meetings and treatment team meetings for male clients ages 6 to 16. In addition to clinical experience at Glenwood, Inc., instructing at Virginia College has presented me with the opportunity to teach introductory psychology, while utilizing practical examples of the information. Classes range in size from ten to fourty students. My interests have been largely influenced through my work with international students, the homeless and impoverished individuals in Alabama, and minority groups such as women’s and LGBT rights. Through my personal and professional relations to these populations, I have developed an interest in further understanding the process of identity formation, social cohesion, and alienation. I aspire to research such issues as the connection between sexual identity and suicide. As presented in the June 1991, Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Remafedi, et al. states that there are “high rates of suicidality among homosexual youth”. This is supported by earlier work done by Garofalo, et al. found within the Archive of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Vol. 153 No. 5, presenting that GLBT youth were “3.41 times more likely to report a suicide attempt” than their self-reported heterosexual counterparts.

Category	Forum	Post Subject	Replies
Politics	death penalty and war started by prswaim	death penalty and war Nov 20, 2009 at 9:39 AM PST
Science	Can social pressure make you forget your morals? started by Proud Latina	Re: Can social pressure make you forget your morals? Nov 18, 2009 at 7:22 AM PST
World	9/11 Trial to be Held In New York started by backstroke48	Re: 9/11 Trial to be Held In New York Nov 18, 2009 at 7:00 AM PST
World	METEOR SHOWER? :) started by oriental_ink	Re: METEOR SHOWER? :) Nov 18, 2009 at 6:51 AM PST	5
Education	What does it take to be a good educator? started by Jojo	Re: What does it take to be a good educator? Nov 18, 2009 at 6:47 AM PST	1
Entertainment	Does the bad guy ever win? started by prswaim	Re: Does the bad guy ever win? Nov 18, 2009 at 6:38 AM PST	1
World	Being Gay in a Straight world. started by cooperdynomite	Re: Being Gay in a Straight world. Nov 17, 2009 at 8:55 AM PST
World	Same Sex Marriage? started by RonaBradacs	Re: Same Sex Marriage? Nov 17, 2009 at 8:40 AM PST	1
Education	What are YOU going to college for? started by sherikh	Re: What are YOU going to college for? Nov 17, 2009 at 8:32 AM PST	19
Entertainment	Internet radio started by purple rain	Re: Internet radio Nov 17, 2009 at 8:21 AM PST	1