My STEP project combined my two lifelong passions – working with children and behavioral health. Through my internship at the Cleveland Clinic ADHD Summer Treatment Program, I was responsible for labeling the behaviors of children with ADHD to teach them how to regulate their behavior and manage their symptoms. I created individually designed treatment plans each week that targeted behavioral, emotional, and learning difficulties as well as constructed a structured environment which was conducive to learning specifically for children with ADHD, allowing them to expand upon their skills. Throughout the program, I was responsible for managing medications and administering them on schedule. In becoming a Lead Counselor of the adolescent program, I wanted to have a greater impact on the care of the children in the ADHD summer treatment program. My responsibilities included, but were not limited to, managing a group of counselors, providing mentorship, and approving treatment plans that counselors create. In addition to the program, I’m involved in parent meetings in which we provide psychoeducation about ADHD and tools to continue the efforts of the program at home.
The ADHD Summer Treatment Program taught me that leading with intentionality is invaluable when interacting with patients. Through my patient care experiences, I’ve observed the effect of being intentional with language and behavior on the treatment of my patients. Since utilizing behavioral intervention strategies in my work, I’ve learned that I can use my actions as a tool to shape the behavior of those around me. Through using descriptive statements and appropriate modeling to bring awareness to my patient’s behavior, I’ve been able to create an environment that allows the possibility for change. Instead of operating from a place of a patient’s history, selecting language that gives the opportunity for the patient to make a decision to take an alternative action for themselves creates the space for genuine personal growth. This has been especially prevalent at the ADHD summer treatment program as the treatment is delivered through this method of intentional language. Through this experience, I was able to notice the impact my own language, expectations, and nonverbal cues have on the environment in which the patient receives treatment and how it can even impact the treatment itself.
As a Lead Counselor at the Cleveland Clinic ADHD Summer Treatment Program, I lead through example – utilizing my behavior to model what is expected from my group and to encourage authenticity when delivering the treatment program. I noticed that although my team was working together effectively, I felt as if their leadership qualities weren’t fully being utilized. Dr. Michael Manos, our clinical director, gave me the coaching that sometimes it’s necessary to force people into uncomfortable situations to help them grow. This can be accomplished by taking a step back and intentionally allowing breakdowns to occur to provide them with the opportunity to gain experience. Dr. Manos explained that even though I may be able to prevent issues from occurring in the moment, allowing my team to step into a leadership position will have a long lasting impact on the treatment program and their overall professional development. Initially, I was completely stunned that I was being told to allow chaos to occur but this advice helped me come to the realization that being a leader isn’t only about the success of your patients but there’s an additional responsibility to bear in mind a larger goal as well – the empowerment of your team.
I can say without hesitation that the ADHD Summer Treatment Program was the most valuable experience for my personal and professional development. The supportive environment that was created through the Cleveland Clinic allowed me to grow in my confidence and experience in the medical field. I appreciated how the leadership emphasized my personal values and encouraged me to lean into those when pursuing a career in healthcare. They took the time to understand my values and goals in order to best support me and provide appropriate mentorship. I’m endlessly grateful to STEP for providing me with the funds to pursue this opportunity as well as to the Cleveland Clinic for allowing me to find myself as a healthcare provider.