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Samantha's Life
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Dad moves to Florida
When I was 7 years old, my father moved from Washington to Florida. He took a promotion (exo) which required residency in Tampa. I went from seeing my father every other weekend to only a few times a year when I would go to visit him, which would decrease as I got older. It changed the dynamics of our relationship (micro) forever, and I was upset with my father for a long time for leaving.
Systems: Micro and Exo
Stage: Industry vs Inferiority -
Brother attempted suicide
I watched my brother (micro) struggle with mental illness and addiction for years. When I was 16, he attempted suicide for the first time. This was absolutely terrifying. He spent some time in a psychiatric hospital and then went to inpatient rehab (exo). This inspired me to go to college to study psychology because I wanted to understand my brother's behavior.
Systems: micro, mezzo (family dynamics), exo
Stage: Identity vs. Role Confusion -
Was not accepted to PhD programs
My senior year of college (21 years old), I applied to PhD programs in Clinical Psychology and was not accepted (exo). This forced me to get a job, which I had never done before. I became a counselor at a psychiatric hospital where I still work today (micro). I wanted to be a professor prior, but I have developed a passion for helping others which led me to this MSW program!
Systems: micro, exo
Stage: Intimacy vs. Isolation
