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The Counseling Profession-Discussion
As an individual with a profession in counseling, my long-term career is to have skills and knowledge that will help me make better decisions in life both in my profession and in my personal life. One of my main long-term objectives is to set up my clinic for counseling patients. I have always wanted to venture into private practice in the future. I feel that it will grant me an opportunity to make a real difference in society. I have always been passionate about mental health, and starting my private practice will give me a purpose in my career. Another long-term goal is earning a new degree or degree. I am an advocate of continuous self-improvement, and I love keeping myself busy at all times. I would like to earn a post-graduate diploma in either Clinical Psychology or Community Mental Health. I want to broaden my scope in psychology studies as it will help me to understand my students better. Additionally, it is my hope that in the future, after I set my clinic, I will provide free consultation sessions for people in dire need of counseling. It is my way of giving back to society as it is an opportunity for me to make real change.
Counseling as a program of study takes about four years to complete. It is intense training that incorporates strong humanistic values and awareness in its training. The coursework of counseling programs includes psychology, statistics, sociology, research techniques, and counseling techniques. Additionally, in the course of the training, students are taught about human development, counseling theories, and behavior and learning disorders. Moreover, counseling students are taught about counseling ethics. They are trained about the dos and don’ts of the professional. Here, they learn that dual relationships are prohibited in the profession because they can hinder the patient’s recovery process.
Earning a degree in counseling will benefit my current position at Catholic Charities as it will help me develop interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills are helpful because they keep me informed about who I am and what makes me tick. Interpersonal skills are helpful because they will help me take a step back to reflect and analyze my behaviors and feelings. This will help me in my day-to-day duties because as I handle our clients, I will be able to give them the best advice they need to improve their lives. Going through this program is also beneficial because it is helping me hone my communication skills that are critical in client engagement and interaction. I will be better placed to listen to the client, observe their emotions and give a correct diagnosis.
Yes, without a doubt, a field placement internship is a prerequisite for completing my degree in counseling. Going for practicum prepares students for the real world profession. It exposes students to the actual life of a counselor, and it reinforces their decision to have a career in that field. After graduation, students can work with real patients and use all the skills and knowledge gained. I have already started making plans for my internship placement. I have a few institutions in mind that I would like to work with. I am yet to make a decision as regards the exact institution where I will do my internship. I have also started networking with counseling professions to broaden my chances of getting an internship. I am targeting renowned institutions because I stand to learn a lot from the people there. I also intend on networking with professionals during my internship placement in the hopes of identifying a mentor to hold my hand in my journey as a counselor.
