Coun 757 Assignment 1 Research Paper

COUN. 757 Assignment One
John R. Miller
Edinboro University

COUN. 757 Assignment One
Regarding the assigned topic in the COUN. 757-course assignment one, a significant adult in my personal life that played a significant role in my development during the school-age developmental stage of my life were my parents, Eve and James Miller. There is little difference in these two individuals when compared to how they are now, however, the lifestyle these individuals have now is significantly different than the lifestyle they had. My relationship with Eve was a nurturing relationship. She organized and aided in her children’s daily life activities in and outside of the home environment. Eve is the spouse of James, who, at the time, served in the military and went to work every day at 6 am. and arrived home at 5 pm. My relationship with James was more distant, however, this was not intentional. He was essentially the person who handled the financial stability for the family.
There are several characteristics these individuals displayed that I have learned to adapt as my own in my life today, such as work ethic, hospitality, and respect. Throughout observing how James continued to handle and perform his work in the military and how Eve maintained the household, the work ethic I have learned to adapt was,

when faced with a job, I should do the job, do the job correctly, and do the job on time. When an individual can do all three of these, then there will be no problems or issues in the work environment. If these three things are not performed accordingly, then the employer will/should look for someone to do the job for the employee (replace the employee). A second work ethic I have learned to adapt from my parents regards attendance. When an individual has an appointment scheduled, they should always arrive early to the appointment. In other words, if an individual is on time, they are late.
Southern hospitality is a characteristic I had adapted from Eve. This form of hospitality was described to me as for how, as a host, to act, organize, and treat guests, when they arrive at the household. I have learned to make sure the entire household is cleaned, snacks and drinks are available and offered to the guest at arrival, and they are greeted with a welcoming smile.
Respect is a characteristic I had adapted from both Eve and James. Through these individuals, I have learned to respect individuals’ opinions, views, beliefs, actions, and so forth, even if I disagree with them.
Regarding my concerns of working with young children in a counseling setting, the need to consider the parents’ values, beliefs, standards, and so forth, seems to me, as a hindrance and possibly damaging factor for full wellbeing for the young child(s).

Although it is the responsibility of the counselor to format therapy in a way best suiting the child(s) and parents’ wants and needs, I believe it would be difficult to work with both when considering their preferences, in situations that may seem opposites to each other. I hope to overcome this concern of mine, through this class, by learning new techniques and ways to format treatment to suit both child(s) and

parents.
There are several fears a child may have when working with a counseling student and/or counselor, such as the fear of disclosing information, not commonly talked about, to a new individual they had just met. Regarding a factor a child would fear when working with me personally, I would say it would be my focus on the child(s) wellbeing. When given the notice of abuse happening to the child or the insufficient care they receive in certain environments, such as schools, I would consider it a priority to see the child(s) is taken care of as soon as possible. I would address these concerns a child may have by reassuring them, nothing they choose to disclose will hurt them in the future. I want therapy with a child to be completely safe during, after, and in between sessions.