Professionalism In Counseling

Professionalism In Counseling Counseling is a profession that many pursue whose traits align with helping others. Individuals either in the field or in training are typically caring, accepting, genuine, creative and self-aware. Individuals who strive to be professional in counseling are aware that professionalism is a process that is continuous that starts with ones first semester of graduate school. (Spruill & Benshoff, 1996). By understanding the ethics and laws that govern our profession current and future counselors can move towards professional counseling which is centered on your clients best interest and not our own. I will first talk about what professionalism is in regards to counseling and how one can develop their professionalism
Counseling is rapidly growing and current and future counselors must keep up with past and current skills and theories in order to ensure competent practice. As a counselor, one must have a strong sense of identity in order to ensure they can reduce the use of biases and stereotype when working with our multicultural population. First and foremost professional counselors should “advocate for optimal human development by promoting prevention and wellness” (Kaplan & Gladding, 2011). I believe that as a counselor in training it is imperative that I understand myself and not allow my biases or similar events to be expressed or interfere during our counseling session and map out my actions based on the client's needs. According to Ponton & Duba (200) as professionals, we should ask ourselves who am I as a counselor? Which aligns with our traits initially and then divulges into how we can not only advocate, but support our
It is not professional to impose one's views on their client and many times the power between the counselor and their client is unequal where the client is extremely vulnerable and impressionable and it is our responsibility to ensure our values are not shared because our own clients values could be compromised (Perry & Dugger, 2014). Professional counselors do not only focus on an individual level but on a societal level and ensure that they foster trust with their clients whether it's in the one on one, group or family setting. Professional counselors must understand the ACA codes such as section A where we are expected to help nurture client growth and understand and outline the factors that are affecting our clients (Ponton & Duba, 2007). Professional counselors must “gain knowledge, personal awareness, sensitivity, and skills” in order to work with diverse clients and it is imperative we first learn how to truly help others and ethically ensure our clients leave our sessions better then they arrived (Francis & Dugger,