Help with this

Week 3 questions.

Posts should be at least 200-300 words for questions and reflect critical thought. Whenever possible, please try to relate the course content to real-world applications from your work experience. Be sure to cite all sources as well.

Also respond to classmates which go along with the question that it is under. No less than 100 words which must reflect critical thought. Whenever possible, please try to relate the course content to real-world applications from your work experience. Be sure to cite all sources as well.

1. What are the qualities of effective counselors? Which of these qualities would you like to develop further?

· ANDRE TOWNSEND Discussion Starter 1, Week 3

·

Be respectful and nonjudgmental.

According to the ACA code of ethics, "Counselors are aware of  and avoid imposing their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors".  I was taught as  a counselor, you must respect each client's beliefs and struggles, and never assert your personal values or beliefs. Many time people counselors and non-counselors have the tendency to project their feelings and emotions on the person they are talking to. As a counselor we need not to shift our own feelings onto the client for one you will be adding more stress and be giving our clients a disservice. I desire to completely separate myself from the situation so I can give a theory based analysis to my clients. As well as be respectful and nonjudgmental I also desire to become a more functional communicator. Since every client is different, you may have some that need time to warm up to you, while some aren't afraid to divulge their life story from the start. Understand that communication needs to be personalized to each client. I believe with the proper communication skills I can cut the time down with a client by getting to the point of the visit and that will help me understand why the person is there and we can agrees the issue faster.   

· Valerie brown Discussion Starter 1, Week 3

·

While I know empathy, open mindedness, and a high level of integrity are some qualities of an effective counselor, awareness of some of the reasons counseling doesn't work can be quite helpful, too. Chapter 10 of our text offers clear concise definitions of terms we may have tossed about in the past perhaps without fully understanding the very real impact they may have. For example, we have easily discussed treating clients in a "whole person" perspective, but many of our conversations have edged more towards a holistic approach to healing. I would very much like to improve my ability to approach each person with empathy towards his or her whole being.  Page 149 discusses a more in-depth approach with consideration to and use of the tripartite model of personal identity. This model looks at a single person containing three separate levels; individual, group, and universal. My goal as a future counselor is to be able to fine tune my ability to see people more clearly in regards to how these separate levels are incorporated in each person. The individual level incorporates qualities I think we all understand - unique experiences and specific genetics. The group level includes a person's ethnicity, culture, identity - or how a person identifies themselves within their family and community. The universal level describes a person based on experiences shared by others who are not necessarily in their same group. I think my ability to fine tune my ability to see the "whole" person is very important and a quality I would like to further develop.

2. What do you expect from the counseling profession?

· Amy Sharman Discussion Starter 2, Week 3

·

I expect the counseling profession to be rewarding, challenging and ever-changing. I think most, if not all, counselors are motivated by helping people. I have seen a therapist for years and the guidance and help she has given me has inspired me to pursue counseling as a second profession. I would like to give the gift of well-being to others. With those successes, I expect to be equally challenged. 

When I told friends about my career change, one asked me how I would feel if patients' didn't progress or try any of the recommended changes for behaviors or thinking. That is a challenge I hadn't really mulled yet. The challenge I had expected to encounter is that of a patient who is so deep into trauma that it would be difficult to guide. In actuality, these are probably just two of the many issues I will have to work on overcoming in my new profession. 

Lastly, I am prepared to work in a constantly-changing field. There will always be new research, encounters, theories and much more to learn and take into consideration. The continued learning is something I like about the profession. The networking and being a part of a community are also areas that I am most excited about.

· Ashley , Mar Discussion Starter 2, Week 3

·

What do I expect from the counselling profession? Two words...Job satisfaction. Ever since I was a junior in high school I’ve held a job. Many of which I hated. I’ll be honest I spent 7 years in college, went through 3 different majors, and two minors to get where I am today. I’ve only had one job in my entire life that I loved, that was being a CNA at a group family home with four mentally and physically disabled adults, who became my family. Today I am in the Air Force working at a job where I sit in a dark, windowless building staring at 6 computers for 10 hours/5days a week. I’ve always believed that you should be in a job that makes you happy. Where you get excited to go to work or feel like you’ve accomplished something. While my job now has value, I don’t feel happy. My happiness comes from helping the people around me feel happy. I see myself as a very empathetic person and I tend to reflect people’s emotions. Which is a trait I will definitely need to fine tune. That being said I am wanting to follow my happiness, my passion, not only for myself but also for the happiness of my family.

3. As you embark on your new graduate degree and training, what are your biggest concerns or worries? What will you do to be successful in your program and clinical experiences?

· Carolan Dickinson Discussion Starter 3, Week 3

·

As I step forward into my graduate degree and training one of the things that I'm most concerned about is the fact that I haven't been in school in a very long time and I'm just starting to build those critical thinking muscles again. I was worried when I first started this class because I felt a little out of place being a nontraditional student, but after our class discussions I discovered that there are many of us, and I'm not sure the term "nontraditional" even applies anymore. Although I am open to my path unfolding as we go along this program, I also have a clear view of what area of counseling I want to focus on and wonder if there will be a field placement to support that.

 What I will do to be successful in this program is to really give myself over to the process and be fully engaged. Through our class discussions I was really surprised to discover how much I learned from other students, or something someone said sent me on the hunt for more information. This program must have my full attention both in the classroom and within field placements.

· Beca Discussion Starter 3, Week 3

·

As I embark on my Masters in Mental Health counseling my biggest concerns are first is destroying the oppertumity given to me. I have waited fifteen years to begin the endever of getting my Masters degree. I am using the fear of losing this chance as a motivation to drive me to do my best in classes. I have been out of school for about eighteen years, yet I am slowly developing skills and thinking of a college student.

Second is the concen that I will loose another client to suicide, domestic violence  disease. The loss of a client is a horrible experience that causes any health care unprofessionals to question themselves. It is the job of the counselor to not only build a safe environment  but to advocate for he client when needed. I have the unique experiences as a mental health worker that I believe has prepared me for counseling. Mental health unit changed constantly due to the population and status of the clients. The experiences on the units gave me exposure to several diagnosis and care plans.