It is unrealistic for me as a counselor to think I am ready for every situation to counsel people. I realize that every client is different, and they are each facing different issues and struggles. One area that I will continue to work on is myself. I want to continue to learn the counseling field and the changes that happen every day. I will continue to be part of organizations such as the ACA and ASCA for professional development. I do feel that I am an active listener. I realized a few years back that I should listen to hear and not listen to answer. This has been helpful for me during the counseling program. I have found that my students/clients appreciate that in me. I also feel as though I have an empathic ear as well. I want my clients …show more content…
I do not judge my clients and I feel that is a strength for me. I have been able to build rapport with the students that I work with. I feel they can tell that I am authentic. Each of my clients is going to get the attention they deserve. I feel that the client should have a positive support system from me as their counselor.
One of my weakness areas would be the cultural diversity. I live in an area where there is limited diversity. In the school where I work, we have a total of six in the entire school that is not labeled as white. I know this is an area that I do not know much about. I am however more than willing to get to know the client and research their culture. I realize that this is an area that I will have to continue working on and learning more through education so that when I have a client I will be able to help them
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I want to help my clients to become all that they can be and accomplish all that they desire to accomplish. The experiences I have had in the counselor program have guided me to be more confident in myself by giving me tools that I can use for myself as well as the client. The skills class helped me to become a good listener. I know before that class I was not a good listener. I generally had something on my mind that I would respond to instead of responding to what the client was saying. Another key class for me was the Social and Cultural Diversity in Counseling. I have not been around many people from a different culture. I took the time to become immersed in the Mexican culture and worked with a few Spanish speaking people. That was very interesting for me. I do have a few Spanish speaking parents in my school district and this helped me realize how hard things are for them when dealing with the school system. One thing I did change was that letters that these children take home are now in Spanish. I feel this can be helpful for the families and the children to be equipped for
You must be trustworthy in order to keep client information confidential, which also requires restraint and discipline. Most importantly, a counselor must keep up with their own mental health. Knowing how to cope, unwind, and relax after serving others can sometimes become emotionally taxing. Taking care of oneself in order to help others is paramount to success in their career. I believe that I posses all of these qualities and can learn to strengthen and apply them through your graduate program. In a world that is ever changing, diversity training and sensitivity is also important. As a therapist, I will be placed in environments with the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, traditions, and approaches than I. Building rapport through relationship and empathy will be the key to giving my clients the assurance needed to make their first step toward changing their lives and moving forward toward their desired self. My job, as a counselor is to empower, not to tear down, which is why I will seek to give back my services in low income areas, nonprofit organizations, as well as on a volunteer basis to improve my very own community.
Through time with clients I would work to help the client in self-discovery in regards to their mental state, whether it is good in many areas or if it needs to be improved. I would work to continue my education regularly as to be informed on the latest discoveries and improvements. In the same realm I would work with clients on achieving self-care and a stable mind. With these objectives in mind, I would hope that the place that my career takes me is a stable and person centered journey. My first goal in counseling is to be a lifelong learner, continual taking classes, attending seminars, and reading books to improve my knowledge and skills.
It was Eleanor Roosevelt who stated, "A mature person is one who does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably” (Roosevelt). There is a great deal of truth in her statement. However, there are at least four additional characteristics that every well-functioning, effective person possesses. 1) An effective individual should demonstrate a life of integrity, committed to the truth despite how much it may hurt; and willing to speak truth into the lives of others even when it is humiliating and difficult. (A lesson learned from a very valued professor of mine.) 2) He is responsible and accountable for his own actions; and without blame, nor excuse, accepts the resulting circumstances and consequences. With humility, he willingly admits it when wrong. 3) An effective person must develop a learner’s attitude; and have a teachable spirit. He is willing to listen and expand his perspective; and able to keep an open mind. A mind that is receptive counsel, and responds to reproof. 4) A well-functioning person is available, open to interruption and accessible to others. He values and cherishes time well spent with people, and sets priorities and strives to maintain them. This is my purpose, my responsibility, my calling and I will strive to carry out all of
The philosophy that underlies the counseling profession is unique among mental health professionals. According to Remley & Herlihy (2014), the philosophy is made up of four components. First, counselor 's view mental health challenges through a positive, wellness-oriented lens. The primary goal of the wellness model is for the client to achieve the highest degree of mental health possible. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers follow the medical model of mental health. The goal of these clinicians is to cure the client’s illness, which differs drastically from counselor’s view of clients.
I have wanted to be a counselor since my freshmen year of high school and in the counseling field there are many specialties that I can focus on. I am fairly certain that I want to specialize in helping people with substance abuse and their families. I have always focused my studies, interests, and work on things that will help me in this field and I have a lot of qualities that help to enhance me in my eventual career. There are difficulties when I get to practice also like what people perceive as correct counseling style, challenges with my gender and race, and finally creating my own counseling style and plans.
Now that I have explained why I am interested the Capella, I will explain how my personality, beliefs, values, thoughts, and experiences influence the way I look at the world in conjunction with my role as a future professional counselor. In general, I receive satisfaction from helping others fix their own problems. As I help others, I observe various outlooks on problems and solutions that I would not have noticed alone. I think that fits with the Wellness Model, which states, “the counselor assesses client’s current functioning in several areas and helps determine which factors are interfering with the individual reaching his/her potential.” I look at my
After earning my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Rutgers University, I have learned that I have a sincere passion for the Counseling field in particular. Growing up, I was never too sure what I wanted a career in. However, my mother always told me that whatever decision I make, it should benefit others as well, because ultimately the best success is when you know you have impacted the lives of others in a positive way. I have been very fortunate to have had the experience in working with children that range from ages 0-21. I have worked with young toddlers and infants in a Montessori school, as well as with children and teenagers that have been diagnosed with Autism and other disorders. Working in a diverse population has benefitted me in numerous ways and greatly shaped my interest in the counseling field.
I believe counseling is a collaborative partnership between client and counselor. Furthermore, this collaborative partnership is built from trust and acceptance of both client and counselor. I hope in conjunction with clients to understand the issues and concerns so to help them tap into their wisdom, creativity, and strengths to meet their current challenges. I believe in a comprehensive perspective through which clients can better comprehend themselves in the framework that our thinking about events can lead to emotional and behavioral upset. Moreover, counselors are to provide a safe environment for clients to explore their challenges and identify ways to move differently in overcoming these challenges.
Values, Morals, and Beliefs are components that play a role in an individual’s self-identity. The establishment of these components shape human nature, behavior, and the development of an individual’s purpose. The basis of these fundamentals has contributed to my desire to become a counselor. This paper will discuss my views of human nature, factors of behavior changes, goals of therapy, the roles of a therapist, and the counseling approaches that I chose to incorporate in a practice.
My main reason for wanting to counselor individuals, families, and groups is because I enjoy helping people and I would like to see them overcome their current issues. Also, I enjoy reading about psychology and counseling. Honestly, I am more passionate about studying the field of counseling than I am practicing it. I feel that my journey may lead me to researching. But throughout my career, I plan to display professionalism to help my clients.
Earning a Master’s in Guidance and Counseling would be the ideal next step to fulfill my goals becoming a youth counselor. The program offered at The College of New Rochelle is a perfect match or my career and educational aspirations. I hope to refine my knowledge counseling therapies and techniques, learn more about disorders and associated symptoms, develop effective interviewing skills, and sharpen my ability to work as a professional in youth counseling.
I would also like to help to take away the stigma that some individuals have of going to counseling. Counseling is needed in my community. Mental health services are needed by so many people. As a counselor, I would like to be an advocate for individuals that cannot afford mental health services. There should be resources available to individuals who need it without them struggling to pay for counseling.
Tell us about why you want to become a counselor. Feel free to address personal experiences that motivated you to want to help people. With what types of client groups or client issues do you think you might like to work? I desire a career that prides itself in making a difference in people’s life. Events happen that people may find challenging daily.
¬When considering what my own personal philosophy of counseling would be, it was eye opening to consider who I was a person and how much I have grown. The self analysis was new to me because I never thought about how I do that on a day to day basis. Reviewing the questions I found that a lot of my focus surrounded family, my significant other, and close friends. Constantly living in a diverse population and having that as my surrounding also made its mark in my answers. I also noted that both past and present influences, but primarily the present, play a large role in my own perspective. By following the prompt, I was made to understand that my thought process makes me think of what is occurring in the present and how I can alter these
This quarter’s course of “theories of counseling” felt like a whirlwind of theories, theorist, therapeutic techniques, and proper application of theoretical framework to help counsel students. As the course continued each new theory and therapy style I learned about seemed more appealing and useful than the last. In deciding which therapy styles I would favor using I have to take into account the general demographic of the students and communities I wish to work in. I plan to work with middle school to high school students that are from urban low social economic status and are recent arrivals to the country. Some of the characteristics of obstacles these students and families face daily are, single parent home/income, past/recent trauma, history of low family education level and legal trouble. I am fortunate to live in the community and society I want to help and that I have grown up in. I am equally blessed to be raised and have the opportunity to give back to my community and society the best way I know how by giving back in a positive manner.