"Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion” Romans 12:16, NKJV
© 2014 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC
Retrieved from: http://www.brighthorizons.com/careers/social-responsibility
As
a counselor responsibility for my choices and actions lies squarely on my
shoulders. In the light of this fact, I enjoy taking into account how I can be
responsible for myself within and outside of the counselor role. Thomas and
Sosin (2011) covered in depth the “Person of the Counselor” in chapter four of
the text (p. 82). The authors addressed poignantly
the need for one to be honest with herself about short comings and talents,
sins and past experiences, self-efficacy and humility. I realize that I am responsible for being
aware of and addressing the so called skeletons in my closet. Before expecting
others to open up in counseling I too need to be vulnerable. The phrase “practice what you preach” comes
to mind when analyzing responsibility for myself. Recognizing the need to be
responsible for myself, I then read
chapter’s five through six in the light of being responsible to the client.
Skills
to be learned and practiced in the counseling setting are an important way of
equipping the client for personal growth.
Creating a “safe haven” begins that process (Thomas & Sosin, 2011,
p. 133). Being hospitable in the way I
maintain the counseling space is a basic way to be responsible to the client.
Acknowledging internally the effort client’s make in seeking counseling is
another way to care for the client. Flowing through that established safe haven
and consequent rapport are the techniques employed to explore the client’s
problem(s). Questioning, reflecting, paraphrasing, and summary all have a depth
of purpose. To maintain focus on the purpose of techniques and responsibility I
have to clients I like to reflect on the Scripture that reads: “Be of the same
mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate
with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion” (Romans 12:16, New King
James Version)
References:
Thomas, J. C., & Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic expedition:
Equipping the Christian counselor for the journey. B&H Publishing.
I really enjoyed reading your post Rachel. I definitely think that you are right in that we need to "practice what we preach". It is easy to forget that putting things into practice is much more difficult than actually verbalizing it. We are expecting our clients to be open and willing to disclose personal information and being, how you describe it, "vulnerable", while we, as counselors may not put ourselves in a position of vulnerability. I think this is why it is a great thing if a student who is pursuing counseling also goes to counseling to see how it feels to be on the other side of the wall.
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