In this week’s readings, Pratt and his colleagues break down the five distinct factors that are used to assess Psych-Rehab readiness. This readiness assessment was developed by the Boston University Center of Psychiatric Rehabilitation (Pratt, Gill, Barrett, & Roberts, 2013). These distinct factors address the following areas: need for change, commitment to change, environmental awareness, self-awareness, and closeness to practitioners (Pratt et al., 2013; Roberts & Pratt, 2007). Relating these factors to my personal journey was truly an enlightening experience.
My journey started about 20 years ago, I was 23. I graduated the year prior with a BS in environmental science and was unable to find a job in my field. So in turn, I started waitressing in order to pay my bills. The extrinsic benefits motivated me to waitress for nearly a year but I felt that I had no purpose in life. At this point, I began to…show more content… (2013), the first two factors of rehabilitation readiness are the need of change and the commitment to change. I was unhappy with my current situation and I realized I needed to make some changes. Therefore, I felt the “need for change.” At this point, I began searching for a new path in life. I began interviewing at a variety of businesses. I was “committed to change.” In late March of 1995, I interviewed for a non-profit behavioral health agency. Within a week of my interview, I accepted a position as a direct-care worker. At this moment, I began to assess the next two factors, self-awareness and environmental awareness (Pratt et al., 2013; Roberts & Pratt, 2007). I knew I was starting on an unfamiliar journey especially since my degree was in environmental science and I had no experience in the mental health field. As a result, I began to assess the new role and the new environment I was entering into. I quickly adapted to my new role and environment and embraced every challenge with a positive outlook and
