The Hero's Journey
Hero and Ethics
Unit Four Assignment:
The Hero’s Journey and Ethics
Michael Harvey Miller
HN144: Human Behavior and the Environment
Professor Jennifer Beatty
May 14, 2013
PART A
Mr. Richard Halstead writes about Steve, a client on the Hero’s Journey. The Hero’s Journey is described as the “challenges faced by women and men…[that] reveal[s] a process of personal transformation…when innocence was lost to a personal and often painful call to learning.” It is a time when one realizes that there is no turning back and that one must move forward in order to continue to develop or to do nothing and accept being a victim. The other alternative is to commit suicide (Halstead, 2000). Halstead acknowledges that his experiences with Steve influenced him and the way he practices his role as a Human Services provider. He writes that, initially, he believed that he should be a tour guide to Steve but after his experiences with Steve he says that his role should have been more like a travel companion (Halstead, 2000). This makes sense because as a Human Services Worker we cannot actually guide anyone. We need to stay on the sidelines, offering our input and advice in a manner that suggests that we are assisting and not attempting to tell the client what to do and how to do it. We listen, ask pertinent questions, make accurate assessments, and make suggestions. Our end goal should be one where the client decides to make changes. This is when true change takes place and the possibility to better oneself presents itself. Halstead learned that he could not guide a client’s behavior. He learned that he could be an effective counselor by listening to Steve’s problems and to “share in the pain (Halstead, 2000).” Another big idea that probably affected Halstead’s counseling methods is that we should not incorporate our client’s pain and suffering into our own minds. By doing this, we risk the
Unit Four Assignment:
The Hero’s Journey and Ethics
Michael Harvey Miller
HN144: Human Behavior and the Environment
Professor Jennifer Beatty
May 14, 2013
PART A
Mr. Richard Halstead writes about Steve, a client on the Hero’s Journey. The Hero’s Journey is described as the “challenges faced by women and men…[that] reveal[s] a process of personal transformation…when innocence was lost to a personal and often painful call to learning.” It is a time when one realizes that there is no turning back and that one must move forward in order to continue to develop or to do nothing and accept being a victim. The other alternative is to commit suicide (Halstead, 2000). Halstead acknowledges that his experiences with Steve influenced him and the way he practices his role as a Human Services provider. He writes that, initially, he believed that he should be a tour guide to Steve but after his experiences with Steve he says that his role should have been more like a travel companion (Halstead, 2000). This makes sense because as a Human Services Worker we cannot actually guide anyone. We need to stay on the sidelines, offering our input and advice in a manner that suggests that we are assisting and not attempting to tell the client what to do and how to do it. We listen, ask pertinent questions, make accurate assessments, and make suggestions. Our end goal should be one where the client decides to make changes. This is when true change takes place and the possibility to better oneself presents itself. Halstead learned that he could not guide a client’s behavior. He learned that he could be an effective counselor by listening to Steve’s problems and to “share in the pain (Halstead, 2000).” Another big idea that probably affected Halstead’s counseling methods is that we should not incorporate our client’s pain and suffering into our own minds. By doing this, we risk the
References: Halstead, Richard W., From Tragedy to Triumph: Counselor as Companion on the Hero 's Journey. Counseling & Values, 01607960, Jan2000, Vol. 44, Issue 2. National Organization for Human Services page. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals 1. What are some of the things you believe that the counselor has learned from Steve? What are some of the counselor’s behaviors that may change as a result of working with Steve? Do you think that most people you come into contact with change you in some way? Explain. 2. How has Steve changed as a result of this relationship? Has Steve benefited from this relationship? Why or why not?