graduate level counseling
deefer
assignmentfordiscussionboard.docxCAT: Mindfulness and Counselor Self-efficacy (optional response)
One challenge counselors often discuss is the desire to fix, give advice, or even being comfortable with silence. Particularly, as counselors-in-training or new counselors to the field, it is normal to have some anxiety and concern related to doing and saying the right thing. It is important for counselors to be present in the moment. When we are caught in thinking about what we should say or do next we disengage from the present moment. Being attentive in the present moment, we will become more responsive to client needs. Mindfulness practice for counselors has demonstrated effectiveness for enhancing self-efficacy (confidence) related to application of counseling skills (Greason & Cashwell, 2009). How may mindfulness practice or other practices such as prayer assist you with being present? What regular practice are you committed to as a counselor/school counselor to enhance being present and increase self-efficacy?
Responding to this post is optional. If you respond with a substantive post, the response will count towards one participation post for the week.
Reference
Here is what another student posted to the question. It is difficult for me to place the information from the textbook.
Re: Topic 3 DQ 2 (Obj. 3.1 and 3.2)
One thing that I believe will be difficult to overcome as a new counselor is maintaining confidence. For the most part I am a pretty confident person, but when dealing with new situations or unexpected behaviors/stories I can get a bit awkward trying to remember how to react appropriately. This could be an issue when I hear a very traumatic story from a client and then do not quite know how to respond and I pause for an uncomfortable amount of time before responding. This will obviously be something that I learn to become better at as I begin practicing and learning more about counseling skills and responses. One way I can work on this outside of class is to begin having more difficult and deep conversations with friends and practice with them. I have asked some friends if I could have a volunteer every other week to let me practice my counseling skills on them and help them with a problem they may have. I believe this will be an excellent way for me to begin focusing on my responses in a safe environment where my friends know me and my intentions. I can consider this a way of practicing advanced empathy on myself with friends because I am taking a closer look at myself through how I respond to them and then asking them for feedback (Egan & Reese, 2019).
Reference
Egan, G., & Reese, R. J. (2019). Exercises in helping skills : a manual to accompany The Skilled Helper : a problem-management and opportunity-development approach to helping. Boston, Ma: Cengage Learning.
