Personal Identity: The Influence Of Professional Identity In Counseling

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Recommended: A day in the life of a mental health counselor

My professional identity is fundamentally grounded on my commitment to social welfare through which I achieve my sense of purpose. Furthermore, I support the humanistic values that uphold the core philosophy of the counseling profession and uniquely distinguish counseling from other helping professions. Specifically, I endorse the wellness model wherein optimal health is achieved via holistic integration of mind, body and spirit (CITATION). Likewise, I believe that successful integration begins and ends with the counselor-client relationship; a secure, genuine and empathic relationship is at the heart of well-being and personal growth. Finally, my academic studies as well as the experiential learning process thus far have imparted a sincere sense of pride in the field of counseling; I value the dedication that is required to become a counselor and I am confident in our abilities and our mission as a profession. For that reason, I strive to exemplify those values which promote professional competence and enhance the collective identity of the counseling profession. As expected, my professional identity will affect how I approach my work with Betty. As I operate via a wellness paradigm, my work with Betty will be multifaceted with a focus on physical, mental and spiritual health in favor of treatment based solely on her diagnosis. Moreover, I will focus a great deal of attention on the development of a positive counselor-client relationship as I believe that a supportive and nurturing environment is the basis for successful therapeutic outcomes. Diagnosis Presently, Betty exhibits low mood underscored by persistent occupational, interpersonal and emotional difficulties. Similarly, changes in appetite and sleeping patterns as... ... middle of paper ... ...lf-disclosure as too much would only reinforce Betty’s pathology. Consultation Consultation in the form of supervision should occur regularly, particularly in cases where the therapist is working with trauma survivors. Most likely I will experience strong feelings of concern and anger on Betty’s behalf; therefore, I need to address any countertransference issues immediately with a supervisor so as to maintain strong professional boundaries with Betty. Additionally, I would seek consultation related to drug-specific “intoxication” effects and long-term effects on mental and physical health. As I have limited experience in the realm of addictions, I can only operate within my level of competence and would certainly seek out consultation from an addictions specialist or medical doctor should the nature of my work with Betty necessitate greater expertise. ,

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