“Through Christ I Find
Strength”
Caption: Scaon's (photography)
Retrieved from: http://elsieisy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/christ-enablement.jpg
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,
who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to
his service.” 1 Timothy 1:12 (NLT)
I’ve heard that professionals who enter our field
have felt broken at some point in their lives or have helped another and found
great joy in it. I don’t often disclose information about myself but I came
from the broken side of things, coming from that side of the fence when things
get tough I question my abilities to be a good counselor. Throughout the
reading of the Therapeutic Expedition
(2011)and previous courses, I have realized that though I may not have came
from a good place doesn’t mean that I’m not equipped now. There are 2 things
that are on my side God and self-awareness. God has all the answers even when I
don’t; he is in control and has provided me with the ultimate guide, the Bible.
What being self aware means to me is acknowledgement that we are all different
and to remember that what may work for me, may not work for my client. We all
deal with issues in a different manner and what I may believe is the best
approach to an issue could be harmful to a client because they don’t perceive the
issue the way that I do.(2011) The end goal is Christ and following the guidelines
he has laid out, in Christ we find strength. Even though I personally came from a broken
place doesn’t mean I am not equipped to help people in need gain their hope
back through Christ. I chose 1 Timothy 1:12 because it is a reminder that he has called
me to this field and through him we all can gain strength.
Reference
Thomas, J. C. & Sosin, L.
(2011). Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for
the journey. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group.
McKenzie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post! I agree that you can help others even you have experienced some brokenness in the past. Self-awareness will help you remember to keep your client's best interests in mind, and to carefully consider how you should approach each client and each session. I'm certain you will be able to help others regain focus and get their hope back.
Marcella, yes I think sometimes people who have come from brokenness have a different perspective on things. So with that said I agree with you that we need to make sure we are aware of are own needs so they are not projected onto the client. The client is coming to us in a fragile state of mind so we need to make sure as counselors we are actively listening to their needs not are own.
ReplyDeleteMackenzie, I appreciate your commitment to want to meet client's where they are at, rather than where you would like for them to be. It is often important that when we function in the professional role of a counselor to accept that our client's might view things very differently from us, that includes their idea of God might be very different from ours. In the journey of becoming, we become willing to accept our client's where they are at.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and the comments below it. Very true couneslors are coming into the profession each with their own experience and different cultures and values.apart from countertransference, the possibility of being judgmental may hinder an effective counseling relationship.
ReplyDelete