Philosophy of Counseling
Psychological Fitness
As a CIT, I recognize psychological fitness as a vital component of ethical practice. It's to maintain emotionally grounded and mentally clear especially when working with complex client needs. I improve in this area when I implement self-care, boundary setting, and do some reflective journaling. This will allow me to show up to each session with empathy, cultural humility, and be able to be fully present.
Genuineness
As a CIT, I value genuineness as a foundation of trust and connection because it can mean showing up, providing the warmth welcoming and safe environment and ensuring the clients feel heard and respected. I will embrace my true self while honoring my clients by providing the space for growth.
Self-Awareness
As a CIT, knowing the importance to have the ability to recognize and reflect my own emotions, thoughts, and values but to keep them to myself so I don't cause harm on my clients due to reframing from bias and comparing which will help me stay present with client and continue to grow.
Cultural Diversity
As a CIT, my journey has helped me developed a deeper multicultural competence due to working with a diverse population at my site. Also, being aware of what their cultural needs are to be able to tailor interventions to meet the individual needs from all backgrounds. Lastly, I recognize that each client bring a unique cultural lens shaped by factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, background, and language.
Flexibility
As a CIT, throughout my internship, the flexibility became another important value due to working with kids and having to do family sessions, and unexpected client needs. Reminding myself of this value kept me grounded, maintain a therapeutic presence, support clients, and uphold ethical standards. Overall, it helped me adapt to the diverse needs and handle them with responsiveness and openness.
Patience
As a CIT, I learned that being patient is key because it helped allow me to promote space through silence for the client's to process, show empathy for allowing time without them feeling rushed, and build the trust of the therapeutic relationship. I know the importance of remaining calm, supportive, and present to help navigate client on their own pace.
Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices
Counseling Skills
Practicing SOLER, Active Listening, Empathetic Listening, Probing, and Summarizing
Race & Ethnicity
Ethics in Psychological Assessments
Group Design, Selection, and Screening
Kohlberg’s Six Stages
Empathy
As a CIT, I learned that empathy isn't just about listening, it's about being fully present, building trust, validating, and being nonjudgemental. It has helped develop a deeper understanding and to connect to the client's personal experience.
Amiability
As a CIT, I knew the importance of this value especially when first starting with clients because it can be nerve racking as it is to be vulnerable but providing a warmth, safe, and welcoming space helps the client feel seen, empowered and open to share. I do this by showing compassion, having a calm presence, and a positive regard.
Biopsychosocial
Professional Identity
Research in Counseling
As a CIT, I internalized the responsibilities, advocacy roles, and boundaries of this profession. I am learning every day and as I gain more clarity as a CIT by having empathy, passion for strength based, and having cultural humility, I will evolve my own professional identify.
Acceptance
As a CIT, I leaned that acceptance fosters the safety, trust, and true therapeutic connection. I was able to honor each client's identity, emotions, and experiences without giving any judgement. I will continue to provide support, and empathy to provide the space for client centered.
Marginalized Group Career Counseling Paper
