Solving And Prioritizing Cii's Problems

For the purpose of this paper, this writer, will use the APA Task force on Evidence-Based Practices (2006, p. 273), definition, beginning with the foundation and expanding it to mental health, defined evidence-based practice as “the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture and preferences” (Norcross, Hogan, & Koocher, 2008). According to Dr. Norcross, counseling is a dynamic process, with many moving parts, and the clinical experience is the integration of parts (pillars), the actual work in progress, which creates an opportunity for the best clinical outcomes and improved quality of life (Laureate Education Producer, n.d.).

On a bright and crisp morning of March 25, 2015, I interviewed Joni Roche and learned what a typical day was like for this Professional Counselor. Mrs. Roche has owned her own practice for nearly eighteen years and has truly loved every single part of it. Mrs. Roche has received a Master of the Arts degree and is a Licensed Profession Counselor and a Nationally Credited Counselor. During my interview with Mrs. Roche, I truly learned so many things from different counseling techniques, what it is like to have a private practice and the good and bad things counseling comes with that people do not necessarily speak about.

Oser, Bieble, Pullen, and Harp (2013) report taking a vacation is always a good thing for someone who is experiencing burnout. Although, it is easier to commit to a prevention plan to help yourself from suffering from burnout, than trying to eliminate or reduce it after it has set in. Lenz and Sangganjanavanich (2015) report it is important that counselors maintain their wellness if they are to be affective in helping their client to achieve their own personal wellness. The mental health counseling field can be exhausting, and if the counselor is not taking care of themselves prior to meeting these demands it can be mentally, physically, and emotionally

The direct clinical practice offers a solid structure to construct the standards of expert care, consultation, collaboration, evidence-based care, leadership as well as ethical decision-making. Direct client contact assist J.F. to effectively direct as well as refer direct patient care as needed. She evaluates patterns in individuals diagnostic data as well as appropriate interventions, recommended medications, obtaining additional diagnostic testing and/or supplying education. J.F. has establishes a healing partnership with all her clients. Her patients are open to her about their feelings as well as existing stressors. She admits to closely monitoring as well as proactively paying attention to them while analyzing their psychological wellness. An APRN such as J.F. communicates and interact with with her client| in order to be in tune with the patient’s psychosocial requirements. To achieve this, J.F. carries out a comprehensive|an extensive psychosocial history and physical. The demands of her patients assist J.F. to individualize treatments and review the effectiveness of care given to the patient. As a result, the relationship and direct patient treatment J.F. has effectively established a mutual understanding with her patients. The patients seem to value her awareness, respect her as a professional and accept her advice without hesitation.

According to Wester, Trepal, and Myers (2009, p. 91), “well counselors are more likely to produce well clients.” Thus, the mental, physical, and emotional health of the counselors has the ability to affect their clients. ACA (2005) states that “Counselors act to avoid harming their clients”. Moreover, counselors have an ethical obligation to evaluate, address, and improve their wellness when necessary (Wolf, Thompson, Thompson, & Smith-Adcock, 2014). Research shows that higher organizational stress was associated with lower client participation in the treatment program (Landrum, Knight, & Flynn, 2012). In addition, the working alliance between the counselor and the client is diminished due to high stress and burnout (O’Sullivan, 2012). A counselor who experiences burnout may lack empathy, respect, positive feeling, therapeutic gridlock, and or boundary violations (Wallace, Lee, & Lee, 2010). Therefore, it is vital for counselors to remediate their impairments when they occur. Counselors have to be aware of the signs and symptoms related to their own mental or emotional problems (ACA, 2005). Likewise, counselors should build resiliency against burnout. Resiliency is built by a continuation of healthy decision making (Wester, Trepal, & Myers, 2009). Counselors should seek help or assistance when they observe warning signs of personal impairment, not just for themselves, but for the wellbeing of

When attempting to identify as a professional counselor, it is important to understand the basic elements of counseling as it pertains to individual specializations. The wellness model and the key philosophies of the counseling profession: wellness, resilience and prevention are examined. The ability to articulate the roles and characteristics to understand how they relate to the different professional roles is

The beginning section of the book describes the challenges counselors face in dealing with clients. (1). Moving from Two Areas of Competence to Three (2). Blurred Personal-Professional Distinctions (3).Expanded Definitions of Training (4). Confronting Dominant Views of Mental Health (5). Establishing a Scientific Base (6). Defining Relevant Ethical Standards (McMinn, 2011). After mapping out the challenges facing interdisciplinary integration, McMinn first divides his renowned book into eight rewarding chapters including summary and reflection following each of them. He also uses vignettes in order to ask his readers”What if this Happens” scenarios (McMinn, 2011)

It is important to be aware of one’s limitations, weaknesses and strengths in the delivery of counseling services. Taking into account the cultural values of the client, the support systems and the client’s view of the key parts of his or her makeup (the history of the client) are culture specific (because someone is of the same race does not mean that values will be the same) and does not discount the individual. Sue et al reminds us that multicultural counseling competency looks beyond racial and ethnic minorities and also includes disabilities, sexual orientation, age, and other special populations (Sue, et al, 1992).

Counseling is a relatively young profession when compared to other mental health professions. In my brief personal and professional experience with the field, I have come to define counseling as a process of engagement between two people, both of whom are bound to change through a collaborative process that involves both the therapist and the client in co-constructing solutions to concerns.

The relationship of a counselor to his or her client can be troubled when the two come from different cultural backgrounds. "As counselors incorporate a greater awareness of their clients' culture into their theory and practice, they must realize that, historically, cultural differences have been viewed as deficits (Romero, 1985). Adherence to white cultural values has brought about a naive imposition of narrowly defined criteria for normality on culturally diverse people" (Bolton-Brownlee 1987). The challenge for counselors today is to balance multiculturalism and sensitivity for the client with the need to move the client forward and enable him or her to reach productive life goals. Cultural acceptance cannot be synonymous with complacency.

Multicultural group counseling takes place when a counselor and/or clients are from differing cultural, race, and/or ethnicity groups. Due to the significant demographic changes that are occurring in the United States, multiculturalism is becoming increasingly important. When acting as a multicultural group counselor, it is important to modify techniques to reflect the cultural differences of the client, be prepared to deal with difficulties during the counseling process, and understand the way culturally diverse people conceptualize their problems as well how they resolve them (Gladding, 2012). In order to be an effective multicultural counselor, it is important that one is aware of their cultural heritage, understands how their cultural background affects their attitudes, values, and beliefs, recognizes the limitations of their multicultural expertise and/or competency, and identify the root of their discomfort with different clients (Gladding, 2012). One can implement these through three key aspects Gladding (2012) outlined in his book and effective leadership skills.

CACREP Standard: Section II, 2.e. addresses counselors’ role in developing cultural self-awareness promoting cultural social justice, advocacy and conflict resolution, and other culturally supported behaviors that promote optimal wellness and growth of the human spirit, mind, and body. Previously, counseling was viewed as a “whites only” form of treatment with most research done on white or European descendants. Non-European descendants failed to believe counseling would benefit them or it was frown upon by their culture and communities. Counseling was viewed as ineffective for those of non-dominate culture. Culturally

This literature review was completed as an assignment for an Introduction to Counseling class at The College of New Jersey under Dr. Atsuko Seto. The use of correct APA format in both citations and general formatting, although has been evaluated prior to being turned in for grading, is not guaranteed. I would like to thank Dr. Seto and the entire Counselor Education Program at The College of New Jersey for being patient, informative, and overall very effective instructors.

To demonstrate the above I will draw upon my experience and learning from classroom triadic practice, my counselling placement practice and my personal and professional development to date.

Counselors must gain awareness, knowledge, and skills in counseling diverse groups of clients (Corey, Corey, & Corey, 2014). Some ways to become culturally competent include, but are not limited to, respecting religious and spiritual beliefs as well as family roles; understanding the impact of adverse social and environmental factors when assessing problems and providing interventions; and providing group members with the expectations of the group process (Corey, Corey, & Corey, 2014). In order to create a respectful, productive, and beneficial group some ways to become a more culturally competent counselor include continuing to self-reflect on my own cultural identity, values, beliefs, and biases; read about, practice and implement group interventions that have been shown to be effective with different cultural groups; gain supervision when needed; and avoid imposing my own personal worldview onto the group members (Corey, Corey, & Corey, 2014). By doing these things as well as seeking out opportunities to learn more about the various cultures that I will be working with can help to expand my knowledge of diverse groups, continue to expand my personal self-awareness, and improve my skills towards becoming a more culturally competent