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SELF-REFLECTION PAPER
Self-Reflection Paper
Rhonda Wright
School of Behavioral Sciences Liberty University
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SELF-REFLECTION PAPER
Ethics: An ethical issue that I may have encountered was that of boundaries. My boundaries can
either be too high or too low. The American Counseling Association reads H.4.b. “Counselors
understand the necessity of maintaining a professional relationship with their clients. Counselors’
discussion of the profession depends on a high level of professional conduct. They hold other
counselors to the same standards and are to take appropriate action to ensure that standards are
upheld” (American Counseling Association a Professional Home for Counselors, n.d.). I shared
this issue with my site supervisor her response was we are human and it is natural to want to care
for another hurting human being and we as professional counselors must be mindful that we are
not here to fix anyone’s problems. We are here as a conduit to be used by God so that He can
heal them through us.
When it comes to my boundaries being too strong with clients, I need to be aware I may
come across as standoffish and angry. This lack of professionalism may be due to my own
personal history of past hurts or the client may remind me of a past trauma that I have
experienced. My site supervisor suggested that I also seek counseling not because I am unhealthy
but because we as professionals deal with a lot of darkness when working with others. She said
that it is good to have a support network for myself a group of people who are supportive, loving
and, kind.
Human Growth and Development: Sigmund Freud’s is known for his psychodynamic theory
which consist of the conscious and unconscious mind. He has stated that our childhood
experiences consist of memories that determine our behavior. Erik Erikson’s developmental
theory was created to engulf an individual over their entire life span. Jean Piaget’s is known for
his theory of cognitive development while Lawrence Kohlberg is known for the theory of moral
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development. I mention these four men because they are giants in human development. Their
theories I reference while I am working with clients’.
The population that I work with are adults who struggle with substance abuse, emotional
issues, and past traumatic experiences. What I have learned through Human Growth and
Development course is that most people have carried over their childhood hurts into their
adulthood. In doing this work I am able to meet the client where they are and help them see
where the root of the issue has originated. According to Tannen et al., “Research has found that
the therapeutic relationship accounts for a large share of the variation in client outcomes. Also
the focus on the therapeutic relationship is not new, Carl Rogers necessary and sufficient
conditions have ben foundational for decades” (Tannen et al., 2019). The authors go on to say
that counselor training is vital with helping the counselor connect with the client.
Counseling Theories: How has my theoretical orientation developed throughout practicum? I
learn that theories are not therapies. With a theory I should be able to identify the deeper issue of
what is going on with the client. The main approach that is used at my site is Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy CBT, and what I have learned from watching this approach is that helping
clients see the way they think affects their behavior. For example, one of my clients who is in an
unhealthy relationship shared in our last session that her experience with her partner was not
something she would want to experience again. Then she said “If I do not want to experience it
again then why am I still in this relationship.” I thought this was profound as I watched her
process her thoughts, feelings and emotions. According to Dr. Brian “Campbell Christian
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CCBT) roles that beliefs play are in the development of
psychological disorders” (Dr. Brian Campbell, 2022). This is very true due to the fact that our
beliefs do have an impact on how we behave in every area of our lives.
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Counseling Skills: I learned several skills in COUC 505 some very useful techniques such as 1.
Silence being silent when in a session and allowing the client to process what they are
discussing. 2. Immediacy helping the client use the immediate situation to recognize what is
actually going on. 3, Attending where I am physically present with my client. 4. Active listening
5. Verbal listening where I am showing the client, I am listening by the words I am using. My
goal is to help my client achieve wellness and learn how to live whole. According to Lemmons
and A publication of the American Counseling Association “self-care is a hot topic and this
information needs to be provided not only to counselors but also to the clients they serve”
(2020).
Biblical Worldview: How does my Christian faith influence my view of counseling? When I
think about his question, I am reminded of what Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 28:19 “Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit.” Another scripture that comes to mind is that of the Book of Acts 5:20 “Go,
stand in the temple courts, he said, and tell the people all about this new life.” This is my
influence the Word of God. He delivered me from a place of darkness and I am forever grateful
to Him and I want to do whatever He has called me to do. My heart’s desire is to make a
difference in the lives of others because Jesus Christ made a difference in mine.
At my site, they are a Catholic organization and they are seeking to help women stay
sober, and keep their babies. Although they have a bit of a different doctrine, they are
acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord. They offer their clients spiritual guidance through scripture
and prayer. According to Juhnke et al. “client want to pray when they believe God (a) exist (b) is
invested and desires their successful recovery, and (c) responds to personal prayer” (2009). This
is the moto of Birth Choice they do not want to force any of their clients into any religious
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activities they are not interested in. I am in agreement with this moto because “God so loved the
world that he gave his only son.” I love how the ladies at this site care for the people who come
to them for help.
Action Plan
Goal 1 Clinical Skills:
Action Item A: Continue to develop the skills I have learned during this degree.
Target Date: Ongoing
Outcome: Naturally display these skills
Action Item B: Learn in depth about CBT
Target Date: Dec. 2023
Outcome: gained an understanding of the theory and therapy
Action Item C: Sped time with a mentor
Target Date: Dec. 2023
Outcome: gain a better understanding of how to correctly counsel individuals
Goal 2 Theoretical Development:
Action Item A: Learn how to develop a theory
Target Date: May 2024
Outcome: Have a theory written for my desired research
Action Item B: Practice and learn more about Adlerian theory
Target Date: Dec. 2023
Outcome: Learned the holistic approach
Action Item C: Learn and practice B.F. Skinner’s behavioral operant conditioning.
Target Date: May 2024
Outcome: Learn how to help clients change their behavior
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Goal 3 Professional Development:
Action Item A: Take the CPCE exam
Target Date: July 2023
Outcome: move towards completion of CMHC degree
Action Item B: Take NCE
Target Date: Aug 2023
Outcome: enter into my post grad.
Action Item C: Take a year off and apply for a PhD program
Target Date: May of 2028
Outcome: gained a Ph.D
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References
American Counseling Association | A professional home for counselors.
(n.d.). https://counseling.org
Juhnke, G. A., Watts, R. A., Guerra, N. S., & Hsieh, P. (2009). Using prayer as an intervention
with clients who sre substance abusing and addicted and who self-identify personal faith
in God and prayer as recovery resources. Journal of Addictions & Offender
Counseling 30, (1), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1874.2009.tb00053.x
Lemmons, R. L. & A publication of the American Counseling Association. (2020). Path to
wellness. Counseling Today, 1–7. https://ct.counseling.org
Ph.D. (2022). , (1), 1–6.Christian Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CCBT) #43
Tannen, T., Daniels, M. H., & Koro-Ljungberg, M. (2019). Choosing to be present with clients:
evidence – based model for building trainees’ counselling competence. British Journal of
Guidance & Counselling, 47(4), 405–
419. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2017.1370694
