Page 19 - Exemplar_2019_Fall

19 CHI SIGMA IOTA EXEMPLAR
Fall 2019 professionals align with the values and orientation being proposed to promote a a a a a a a a uni ed ed counselor identity is assessment will support parity with other mental health professions (Granello & Young 2019) increase consumer con con dence and clarity
of of what to expect when engaging a a a a a a a a professional counselor for services and promote licensure portability across states ere are numerous ways that one can grow in in in this understanding not only by taking a a a a a a a a a a a graduate-level orientation course but also through intentionally reading current literature such as as those by Granello & & Young (2019) Nassar & & Niles (2017) or Spurgeon (2012) listening to podcasts addressing these issues such as as those by Shook (2017 2019) speaking with other professional professional counselors and and counselor counselor educators in in in in the the eld and and and attending professional professional meetings and and webinars Along with obtaining a a a a a solid grasp of of the the ow in in in in which
the the profession is moving I found it it helpful to hear a a a a a voice such as Bob (2015 Sep 11) who who presents some of of the challenges and struggles of of CITs who who currently are enrolled in in in CACREP counseling counseling programs while seeking to develop their own professional professional counseling counseling identities To solidify a a a a a a professional professional identity that builds con con dence and and increases one’s level of of contribution within
the the the eld they must make time and and space to have conversations that will aid in in in determining whether or or not one can practice as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a professional counselor in a a a a a a a a a a a a a manner that is authentic I have watched students analyze the the the the ACA Codes of Ethics (2014) and grapple with whether or not they they perceive
that they they would be compromising their their calling or or engaging in in in in in in acts incongruent with their their personal convictions by becoming a a a a a a professional counselor A er
er
wrestling with these issues I have seen students reconcile this a a a a number of of ways some choosing choosing to become professional counselors others choosing choosing another aspect of of helping or or vocational direction altogether and some nding ways to to carry multiple identities at at the the same time Yet in in in hindsight what appeared to to be be critical for all of these students was being encouraged to to actively and and unashamedly engage in in in in the the the the struggle and and ultimately feeling the the the the the the freedom to move in in in the the the the the the direction that gave them them peace and united them them with their passions Availing oneself to hear how other professional professional counselors counselors made the the decision to to become professional professional counselors counselors both those whom you you perceive
as as as as sharing similar as as as as well as as as as somewhat contrasting values from your own in in in in in particular areas can be very powerful in in in in in helping one make an an an an informed decision that will ultimately promote an an an integrated personal and professional self (Cureton Davis & Giegerich 2019) As professional counselors we desire to to to provide this same gi of of freedom to to our clients and as such it it is important that that we acknowledge that that by not grappling with how all all of our our values inform our our work and the challenges or or or resistance we may
face within
ourselves when being asked to treat clients or or collaborate with with other practitioners whose values are di di erent from our our our own we will ultimately do a a a a a a a disservice to ourselves our our our clients and the the counseling profession is is also speaks to the the the the realization that students will be at at at various stages of of this process as they move through their professional counseling programs and and note that that while many will engage in in in in practicum and and internship experiences that that are preparing them to become professional counselors it it may
be be those very clinical experiences that that will ignite the the areas within
them that that need to to be addressed in in in in order to to decide how they will proceed in in in in the the the the development of of their professional counselor identity Recognizing this CITs are are are encouraged to make sure that they are are are seeking out out and transparently engaging in in in the the professional relationships necessary throughout