Marilyn Bitty

Background

About Marilyn Bitty

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”- Theodore Roosevelt Sitting in a lecture at London South Bank University was where I heard this quote for the first time and it resonated with me. As an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) I cannot simply throw interventions at my pupils, I need to build meaningful rapports and not just tell them how I can help. Whilst I knew I had a rapport with most of my pupils, studying Mental Health and Clinical Psychology is where is learnt the practical steps to develop my interpersonal skills such as active listening, empathy and consistency, all of which enabled me to develop the necessary rapports with my pupils. My current role as an ELSA has not only allowed me to apply some practical steps but it has also provided the opportunity for me to sharpen my organisational skills. The nature of the role requires me to plan and deliver, effective interventions using Cognitive Behavioural Approaches. What’s more, the operational and administrative aspects must be considered and carried out by myself in order for the interventions to flow seamlessly; thus, highlighting the importance of organisation. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to liaise and work collaboratively with both external and internal agencies in a multidisciplinary team to ensure interventions are tailored to the children’s needs by using the relevant expertise of those involved. This has provided the opportunity to further develop additional interpersonal skills such as; communication and collaborative working, as well as technical skills such as Cognitive Behavioural Approaches. Furthermore, studying at a postgraduate level in Mental Health and Clinical Psychology at London South Bank University taught me more than applicable, practical skills; it enabled me to strengthen my level of critical thinking whilst developing my independent thinking. Moreover, whilst studying Psychology BSc (Hons) at Brunel University London, I had the chance to carry out two research studies, both independently and as a group, thus allowing me develop research skills using software such as SPSS as well as analytical and teamworking skills. I can proudly say these aforementioned skills have allowed me to teach the necessary skills to my pupils to help them develop a stronger mental health whilst breaking down the stigma around mental health particularly for the young, black boys. This is something I feel passionately about and wish to do indefinitely. Any advice or job experience in the Psychology field is welcomed.