Key Philosophies of Counseling Professionals

Key Philosophies of Counseling Professionals

Veronica Y. Mitchell

COUN5004

Dr. Anna Lynne Schooley

April 20, 2014

Capella University

Abstract

When trying to describe the key philosophies of a counseling profession, it is very important that the different roles and characteristics are explained as well. A professional counselor not only provides their clients with the type of care they need, but they also determine through assessing their own lives some key areas that will help them in their professional development. It is also important for counselors to determine how their assessments of their professional lives will also influence them currently and in their future development.

Throughout this essay, information will be provided to not only describe the key philosophies of the counseling profession, but also to the professional counseling associations like the American Counseling Association. The ACA is known as the organization that is focused on growth in the field of counseling professionals. (ACA, 2014) They key philosophies of professional counseling such as: wellness, resilience and prevention will be discussed and how the wellness model impacts the counselor's view of their client along with the concerns that the client brings to their sessions. The state licensure and certification requirements will also be discussed along with the increase in technological advancement in society and how it will affect clinical practices and innovative solutions that enhance the counselor's performance.

Wellness Model

Wellness can be defined as a way in which counselors provide an assessment of their clients developmentally and then create a plan of intervention to decrease the dysfunction while increasing their optimism. A client's well-being is so important and with developmental, preventive, and wellness-enhancing interventions the counselor can provide them with the help that they need. Even though some interventions can sometimes be based on a certain type of philosophy of care the ethical practices required the necessity to use them solidifies the need for evidence-based techniques. (ACA, 2005) On their website the ACA states that "counselors have a responsibility to the public to engage in counseling practices that are based on rigorous research methodologies" (ACA, 2005 p. 9). In regards to the wellness model, the impact that it has on how the counselor views their client is based on the counselors assessment of the clients mental status.

Effective Professional Counselor

Effective Counseling requires the cooperation of both the client that is receiving the counseling and the counselor that provides it. The commitment of the client to agree to make difficult behavioral changes as well as their thinking patterns is crucial in making therapy work. A counselor can help clients to identify their negative thinking patterns that can affect their feelings of sadness, depression or anxiety. (Ponton, 2006) When a counselor is encouraging their clients to develop more grounded personal strengths while also suggesting that they advance their skills to help them overcome any feelings of self-loathing or hopelessness. With continual sessions a counselor will be able to help clients develop a more positive attitude. A good counselor can assist clients in making positive changes in their relationships with others, while helping them to recognize behaviors that may be contributing to a difficult relationship as well. (Ponton, 2006) A client's counselor will also work with them on creating more effective ways of communicating with others and helping them to find more precise ways of expressing to the people in their life, how they feel and which person could be causing them emotional pain.

Professional Counseling Associations

Some of the most common forms of counseling are American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Licensed Professional Counseling Association (LPCA). The ACA is best known as a professional organization of counselors in the United States. It is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors. The mission of the ACA is to "enhance the quality of life in society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the counseling profession, and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity." Licensed professional counselors are considered professionals in their field and have access to various types of mental health support. The requirements vary from state to state and most of them require that a counselor has at least a master's degree in counseling along with the supervised experience that is needed to meet the Arizona State Requirements.

State Licensure and Certification Requirements

A graduate students pursuing a licensure in the state of Arizona, also need to have obtained their Master's degree in counseling or a field closely related to counseling. The laws also require schools to have the accreditation of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP),