Psy 270 Week 9 Final Paper

To ensure that all possible clients of all walks of life are successfully benefiting from the counseling profession, advancement in the assessment field should be of a primary concern for present and future counselors. It is understood and respected that a multitude of counselors vary in the foundations of their theoretical framework and collectively not all counselors participate in assessment with their clients, but as the counseling profession continues to grow the demand of expansion is critical.

Kaut and Dickinson (2007) suggested, without expert training in pharmacology, the mental health counselor must self-educate. Counselors have to pull information from peer-reviewed articles/journals, books, and colleagues to educated themselves. In order for a counselor to address client concerns or therapeutic issues a counselor role is to understand prescription medication (Dickinson & Kaut 2007 p. 216). If the prescribing medical professional does not fully explain the medication side effects, the counselor is left to educate the client on the medication (Kaut and Dickinson, 2007). The counselor monitors side effects and drug interactions, while maintaining an open discussion about the drugs specific to the client treatment. Counselors are encouraged to help their clients manage their medications, and provide therapeutic services that capitalize on the medications desired effects (Mears, G. 2010).

ETHICAL FRAMEWORK, LIMITS OF PROFICIENCY AND THE LIMITATIONS ON COUNSELLORS COMPARED TO OTHER PROFESSIONS THAT USE COUNSELLING SKILLS.

Largely, the entire test proved thought provoking as this was a subjective test. Meaning everyone's values are not the same, everyone is not driven by the same motives. This could be problematic in obtaining valid results. It has given this writer cause to carefully examine assessments that are being administered clients. Reliability and validity have a great importance in how counselor should utilize assessments and can assist in finding appropriate instruments in order to be more effective with clients.

The American Counseling Association and the American Mental Health Counselors Association Codes of Ethics both provide guidance and direction in making ethical decisions for their members (ACA, 2005) (AMHCA, 2010). Both the ACA and the AMHCA Codes of Ethics cover a wide range of moral and ethical situations that could present themselves to mental health professionals. Both of these codes of ethics have significant impacts on the counseling profession. The tools provided by these codes of ethics ensure that mental health professionals are able to conform to the regulations set forth. They address common concerns from varying points of view. Understanding these codes of ethics is essential to all mental

I need to stay very professional at all times and make sure I do not use my personal values towards my clients. I also need to make sure my attitude does not affect my client. When working within community and private mental health system, I need to be the helper and help my clients. They come to get help not to be judged or to be told what to do. The counselor disposition will help me incorporated in my session by being aware of my own biases and making sure I do not use them towards my clients. The counselor disposition is a backup procedure I can reflex if I have a concern with a client and how to stay professional at all times. I will also build rapport with clients so they can feel comfortable and trusted. They will be able to open up without being judged or disrespected. I will make sure I give them my full attention and work as a team. The key to have better outcomes is to have empathy towards and client and be present at all times so they can feel they have a caring

Evaluation as an end in itself is a very different process from counseling. Why would a counselor want to be an evaluator?

In order for the counseling process to be effective for the client the characteristics and behaviors of the mental health counselor must be effective. To be an effective mental health counselor the process must include both the art and science of helping clients when they struggle. This paper will address both effective and ineffective characteristics of the given transcript along with an explanation of how a counselor’s characteristics or behaviors influence a session with a client.

I think the spiritual care that was provided to this patient was amazing. Being place in this counselor shoes, I would have don’t the same thing. The client had a great life, until the doctor diagnosed him with terminal lung cancer, and the client was feeling very depressed and distraught about the situation until the client met the counselor. At first the counselor did not want to help the client, and stated that he had his own personal beliefs, and don’t want to compare the religion beliefs with the client. When counseling someone, it is very rare to discuss the personal beliefs with the clients. In this case, the counselor help the client find his own religious beliefs and help him find eternity. The client was amazed as of how the counselor helped him find beyond life, death, and after death. The client asked for forgiveness and grace and felt more comfortable of dying.

(5) "Counseling" means one or more consultations as necessary between a state licensed psychiatrist or psychologist and a patient for the purpose of determining that the patient is competent and not suffering from a psychiatric or psychological disorder or depression causing impaired

His opinion was that a counselor should function primarily as a teacher and model for the client. That they should have a health relationship in which both counselor and client are on equal grounds. The counselors job, according to Adler, was to learn why clients think and behave the way they do; by gathering information about the clients family and their early memories. Then the counselor should share his or her interpretation of the client and try to build a restorative relationship.

A counselor should be very observant and able to interpret non-verbal communication for example if the patient looks angry, and then find out the cause of his/her anger first. An effective counselor should provide non-possessive warmth in a counseling environment. Smile and show concern and acceptance by showing comfort, empathy, and understanding to the patient.

Whether intentional or unintentional, the misdiagnosis of client concerns is a problem that can have implications for counselors and clients. Mead (1997) reported the

Dewey (1933 cited in Sharpy, 2005) first described reflection in terms of ‘thinking about thinking’ and encouraged professionals to examine the underlying rationale for their choices. In the early 1980’s reflection as with all professions it is important to evaluate your performance as a counsellor. No one is perfect. No one gets it right 100% of the time. Most people are hesitant to objectively look at their performance. However, in counselling, as in many other professions, it is important to be able to critically evaluate how you performed. In this way you can identify any areas that may require change. There are a number of strategies that can be implemented to assist you in monitoring and/or improving the way

Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. They are trained to address a wide range of issues, including depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress management, problems with self-esteem, issues associated with aging, job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, and marital or other relationship problems. Mental health counselors often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors. (US Department of Labor)