Things I have learned in my intro to counseling course

First and foremost, I learned that a counselors mantra should be "DO NO HARM!!!!!!!!" I also learned that counseling is not even close to the same thing as advice giving. In fact, counselors shouldn't be giving advice, they should be helping clients achieve autonomy. The basic purpose of a counselor is to help a client reach mental wellness. Through what I have learned, many times counselors do no just stop there, but rather see that their clients achieve overall wellness. I learned the certification and licensing process to become a licensed professional counselor. I learned about boundaries, and that the counselor has an ethical obligation to maintain a strictly professional relationship with their client, and should avoid any behavior that might form a dual relationship. i learned that a counselor cannot just say that counseling is over, but rather have another session called a termination session, to bring the counseling relationship to a close. I learned the ethical decision making process, and applied it in three different case studies. By using that I also learned moral principles and virtues of counseling. Ultimately, through going through this class I was able to start forming my own definition of what counseling is to me.

link to my current resume

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AddzfGJEPHvkZGN4dmhyNGhfMGcycDdya2Yy&hl=en

check out my resume

Definition of Counseling specific to my concentration

I plan on working with high school aged students. If a new 9th grade student were to come to me in September and ask me what my job is, or what I will do for them, this is what I would say:

" My job is to help you be aware of different things going on around you, and in your life during these busy and hectic teenage years. It is my job to help you become more and more independent by helping you become aware of yourself, and issues or problems that can arise during these years.
I am here to promote your academic, emotional, mental, and physical well-being."

1,3,5,10 years after completion of degree/counselor credentials.

I want to be great at what i will be doing with my degree, so I am in no rush, to blow through my career. I have always envisioned myself for the first five to six years after my degree, simply serving in a high school as one of the school counselors. I want to really learn that trade, and get great at it. Then after that, I have always planned to go back to take the classes necessary to become a SAC which is a Substance Abuse Counselor or Student Assistance Counselor in a high school. Honestly, that position is where I would like to be for a long portion of my career. I feel that here is where I can do the most helping for teenagers as possible.

The courses necessary for the SAC certification vary from university to univeristy but are mainly similar. These are the requirements.
for the New Jersey SAC Certification are:
1. A bachelor’s degree in Health, Human Service, Psychology, Social Work, or some other field leading to Teacher Certification
2. A program of studies comprised of 21-27 credits beyond the Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, which meets the requirements of the NJ state Department of Education.
3. Upon employment and while serving under provisional certification candidates must demonstrate completion of a state approved district residency of no fewer than 6 months (full time) and no longer than one year (part time).

Potential sites for my internship/fieldwork

I would like to do my internship/fieldwork at Paramus High School. The biggest reason for this is that I am currently a teacher there. I would be able to do my hours necessary on all of my lunch and prep periods, and not have to take off a year of work. It also makes sense that I want to do it at the high school level, because I got into counseling because I want to help teenagers. Another possible site would be River Dell High School, because it is close to Paramus, but also because I think it would be interesting to work at a school that has students from multiple towns.

My goals are simple for internship and fieldwork, and they are to open myself up to my supervisor and learn everything I can. I want to be able to take their criticism and make improvements, and changes necessary to be a great counselor. I want to learn different techniques to employ in certain situations. I am excited, and just wish this experience was not so far away.

Professional Development-Join an Organization(After)

As I said in my earlier post, I decided to join ASCA. Some of the benefits I will receive, now that I am a member are : I get free liability insurance, I have access to a variety of professional magazines and journals that normally cost close to $115 for nonmembers. There is also an online directory which provides an excellent way to network with other members, and right now since I am still a student, I am eligible to receive the foundation scholarship that they give to 10 of their student members each year.
While I was on their site I was able to learn their mission and their purpose/focus. ASCA "focuses on providing professional development, enhancing school counseling programs and researching effective school counseling practices."(Schoolcounselor.org) "The mission of ASCA is to represent professional school counselors and to promote professionalism and ethical practices."(Schoolcounselor.org) These two items were the most exciting and reassuring facts for me. They gave me confidence in knowing that their is an organization out there that will aide me in being the best school counselor possible.
What surprised me was the amount of members this organization has, which is over 27,000. This is a large number, and a huge networking tool for the members. My expectations in joining this organization were more than met, they were exceeded. I thought I was just going to join, and every so often they would send me stuff, but it is more than that. They are there to assist you in anything you need. They provided networking and resources that will help you to excel. Absolutley I would recommend joining to anyone because of the amount of endless resources you are provided, and having the backing of an organization never hurts. And I plan to use the information to grow professionally as a counselor.

Professional Development-Advocacy Act(After)

A few days ago, I wrote a letter to Governor Christie telling him in essence to stop bullying teachers and school counselors. I provided a few facts for him to think about before he continues to attack us. I told him that capping off pay increases at 2.5% would make it impossible for teachers and school counselors to continue to live in New Jersey, one of the most expensive states to live in. I also asked him why he has yet to attack adiministrators and superintendents, who make six figure salaries. I would encourage anyone to write a letter to him as well because if you cannot stand up and help yourself and your own profession, how can you then help others.