Psych- Intro (Self Reflection)

Hays (2008) discussed privilege and biases based on culture and how these privileges and biases can affect a therapist’s work. Having a healthy understanding of self-identity can help understand the role of privilege and biases. In order to help self-reflect, Hays (2008) presented the ADDRESSING model which includes age, disability (born with), disability (acquired), religion, ethnicity/race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, indigenous status, nationality, and gender. This ADDRESSING model will be applied in this paper.

Working in various school settings, I have been exposed to merely a glimpse of the future in which I pursue. I believe that this passion is driven by looking at my own school counselors when I was younger and realizing how great of an impact they have had on my life. From the counselors in elementary school that have helped me resolve issues with other children over a stolen crayon, to my counselors that pushed me over my limits at Rutgers University, I have become more aware of the positive impacts they have had on my life. I only aspire to be as great of a counselor to others, as they have been for me. This program embodies major values that I possess and would want to expand on in order to support the youth. Through the counseling program, I hope to gain more experience about how to help individuals in various topics such as academic support, self-development, and building relationships with these young

As I become more educated in the field of school counseling, I realize how important previous life experiences are, as well as the skills that I have learn from past jobs, and all through out my academic career. In my life the different roles that I hold, from being a mother, a wife, student, and an employee all contribute to my professional development in some way. Through the experiences in which each role presents it helps me to be able to relate in some way and gives me the ability

I chose to base my studies on J because we shared a lot in common; we are both Christians living in a predominantly Muslim country. He is eleven years old. His parents are Jordan nationals who have lived in Bahrain for at least two years. J goes to school at Naseem International School where I work. The school offers PYP programs. Lessons are conducted in English; however, Arabic lessons are also offered per week. Majority of kids in this school are Muslims most of whom are Bahrainis. Other nationalities making the student population are Saudis, Lebanese, Jordanians, few South Africans, and other Arabian Gulf countries. Teachers are a mixture of nationalities. Some of them are Arabs, others South Africans, while some are Europeans.

However, in this short matter of time, I believe I am able to acknowledge some my strengths and weaknesses as a new counselor. At this point, I feel my strengths involve a sense of humor, empathy, genuineness, creativity, reflecting, restating and most importantly, a heart to serve others. Not only is making someone smile the highlight of my day, but being present with an open heart, mind and ear is what drives me to be a helper. As there are good qualities about myself, there are also weaknesses as well. For instance, I need to improve on my listening skills. I think I am still having difficulty listening to what is being said, how it is being said and why it is being said along with catching non-verbal gestures. As I am still get nervous during session, I think I get too caught in the “content” of the conversation versus catching the emotion/feelings behind what is being said. Another weakness that I have, is not recognizing the moment when I should ask the client to explore more about a comment they had said. Bearing in mind that I am still growing in the counseling field, my goal is to build on my strengths and sharpen my

However, like many of my peers in the undergraduate community, I had a declared major but a persisting uncertainty and indecision about my future and career. Nevertheless, I continued to see myself in a personal setting with clients, where I could share psychological insight to those willing to open up and partake in personal growth. Through years of information, coursework, wise words from professors, and much personal insight, I decided to pursue a career in counseling

The purpose of this assignment is to self-reflect on what has been learnt in the topic this semester and how it is going to influence as a health professional in our chosen field. This assessment is made to encourage us to be able to identify the values and beliefs we have as individuals and how these impact on our ability to interact without others in a diverse society. This self-reflection will include the results from an Implicit Association Test to help gain a greater awareness of my own unconscious thoughts as well as evidence from reliable sources to help back up statements and give evidence to support this assessment.

Although my journey within the Clinical Mental Health program at the University of Scranton has come to an end, however, my journey to become a licensed professional counselor is still underway. As I tie up loose ends by handing in time sheets and remaining assignments, I find myself in a reflective peaceful space. As I look back over the years that I have spent within the program perfecting my craft, I can’t help but think that I am truly blessed. It is one thing to choose a career, but it is another to answer a calling. I say with great conviction, that I am blessed to be called to such a meaningful purpose. It is only by the grace of God that I can look back and see the person that I have matured into, not only personally but professionally. I remain humble and grateful for the opportunity, not only to reflect but, to have made it through this part of my journey. I started this program excited, yet, full of self-doubt and now in my last semester, I can gladly report that I am lesser of the two. Over the years, I have embraced challenges and endured self-doubt and it is through my internship that I have felt growth in solidifying my self-confidence. With this developed confidence I prepare to embrace the next chapter of my career with greater excitement and enthusiasm.

In conclusion, I believe that the counselor must be a lifelong learner. In the process of the completing this degree, I have realized the numerous areas of specialization that the counselor must strive to master. When the counselor does not feel competent to be of assistance, they must not allow pride to prevent them from helping the client. They must do additional study, possibly reach out to mentors for wisdom or refer the client to a specialist. Our training teaches us that anyone can grow when they are aware of their personal weaknesses. My desire is to help people achieve a whole and successful life.

¬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 paper will reflect the practice session taping number six that I did for this class. In this reflection, I will estimate my strengths and weaknesses from the taping for improving on my counseling skills. I will also evaluate the techniques and skills that I have learned and we have discussed so far in the course. This paper will be a guide to my process and assess the skills that I need to work on for the near future. In closing for the paper, I will discuss the various ways that I can advance myself in the practice session taping so that I can strengthen my skills as an effective counselor overall.

The purpose behind this assignment from my own understanding is for a couple of reasons. One of them is to help improve and practice report writings/responses, while another reason is to express what we believe our strengths and weaknesses will be in this chosen career path. This assignment is beneficial because it will prepare us for future writing assignments in the program, and better understand how we will be graded. It will also help us reflect on what skills we think we can bring to the table, along with weaknesses we can improve on. It will be a useful assignment to reflect on my own personal strengths, and will be a beneficial tool to my success in this program.

Pursuing a degree in counseling, is a task that is both exciting and scary at the same time. There are a number of processes in which graduate students go through not only academically, but also in their personal life. This journal entry provides a short perspective of how life for students going into graduate school transforms. Here, one can find a few of the thoughts and feelings a new counselor in training (CIT) may experience during enrollment, beginning the first class, and a few of the adjustments made to fit graduate studies in life.

As a physical therapy student, many peers have asked why I chose to minor in psychology rather than taking a simple course in human performance and fitness or biology. Taking this course, I am confident in my minor decision and realize the importance of mastering and utilizing effective communication, genuine listening, and authentic presence, especially in a physical therapy setting. Several counseling theories were presented over the course of the semester looking at their basic philosophies, the relationship between client and therapist, and key components to effective treatment. There were three theories in particular, Adlerian therapy, existential therapy, and rational emotive behavior therapy, which I found to really resonate with my beliefs, values, and experiences. By integrating these three theories together, using the common factors approach, I was able to identify similar core beliefs and principles in each to create my final theory of change.

Throughout the course of the semester I have learned a variety of things about psychology. I have learned about the founding father of psychology Wilhelm Wundt, various theories and case studies, coping mechanisms, and stressors. After going through each of the sections this semester, I have learned quite a few ways to utilize psychology in my personal life, professional life and academic career, in a way that is beneficial to me and progressive to my future.