Reference no: EM132168207

Questions

Answers should be at least 100-175 words and reflect critical thought. Whenever possible, please try to relate the course content to real-world applications from your work experience. Be sure to cite all sources as well.

1. As you review all your readings for this course, I wonder if your view of becoming a licensed therapist has changed in any way. If so, how? What still fits? What no longer fits?

2. I completely understand what you mean when you say that this class hasn't made you change your mind, but has made you a little more nervous.

I can agree with that, there have been many times throughout this class that I have read something and thought, "Wait, what? I wasn't thinking about that when I started this program." But, like you said with training and experience I am confident that we will be able to overcome the nerves and build our strengths into our practices. Your thoughts?

3. I think my views on becoming a licensed therapist have stayed the course, but I believe my knowledge regarding the requirements and responsibilities of becoming a therapist has been altered considerably throughout this course.

There are so many issues and challenges that I hadn't considered before this class, the ethical issues, responsibilities, and various codes of ethics; the legal issues, responsibilities, and implications; and realizing the potential drain to the therapist emotionally, physically, and spiritually reminding me of the importance self-care and routine self-monitoring. For me, I think most of my views regarding becoming licensed still fit, but perhaps with some adjustments and reality checks added in for good measure. Any thoughts?

4. I have an issue with children and getting connect with them. I hope that the more experience that i have the easier it will get. One thing that i cannot seem to stop thinking about is how a counselor can stay in contract with these individual without having them in on our personal Facebook?

One idea that i had it to create a professional account where they can see updates on what i am posting without having connection with my personal account. I would set it up in a way so they can like my "professional" page and this is where the can personal message me on that page. However, would this be ethical? What are yours and other classmates thoughts?

5. I can relate to the emotional draining and self-care. You get so involved in the client and their problems you compare them to your own or take them home with you.

I have to do progress notes and I base them off questionnaires I come up with after each session so I can address the notes personally to each client. I sometimes use the group session as my own outlet for therapy and forget that I can project issues back on to the client. I need to work on self-monitoring but I have become more spiritual because of the clients and their faith in AA/NA. I am nervous about going into practice alone or with a bigger, more "professional" setting with all the guidelines there are to follow and remember.

I am sure they become easier to remember and become acquainted with as time goes on in our profession. I am also reminded of ethical decisions I need to make on a daily basis with my clients. I have been asked out on a date, I have had donuts delivered, and just last night I had a man waiting by my car to thank me for helping him stay sober. He said because of some of the things I say and teach him it is the longest spurt of time he has gone that he has not wanted to drink. I was surrounded in a massive bubble and shook his hand to say thank you. He then said I looked nice and asked my out:( This deflated my bubble and I thanked him and declined.

The donuts were delivered while I was not there so they were accepted. How would I go about accepting or declining a gift like that? I didn't have a chance to refuse them so I shared them with the people in the office and took them home to my family. What are some things I could have done different?

6. What concerns do you have and what challenges do you anticipate in your career as a counselor, legal, ethical, or otherwise?

7. My concerns regarding becoming a counselor are mainly academically based. I am concerned that this program may not have what the states will require for us to take the exam, and what happens next as far as educationally to reach the state requirements for testing. Challenges are ensuring that I can meet the required amount of hours of supervision and clinical experience to take the state exams.

As far as legal and ethical challenges those are hard to predict and plan for because many times you won't know until you are facing them head on that there is an issue, some you can plan for, but not all.

I believe it we are diligent in knowing the laws of the states we are practicing in, and are familiar with the various codes of ethics, and do the research when necessary we should be okay.

I know that sounds rather simplistic, but the point is taking on this responsibility means we must take on the responsibility of knowing the laws, codes of ethics, and preparing ourselves for handling multiple types of situations that could challenge our belief system, and we need to have an emergency plan in place when and if that type of situation arises. Any thoughts?

8. I also believe that the challenges I anticipate will be this course not meeting up to the state exam requirements. Although, I think that the state in which I take the license exam, will require me to know the ethics guidelines and their state guidelines. Since every state law is different so are the ethics guidelines.

I understand that knowing my state laws and ethical guidelines will help me set boundaries with my clients and coworkers, which will allow me to successfully complete my job as a counselor. I know I still have a lot to learn but I am still very eager and cannot wait until our practicum courses begin. I cannot predict what will happen in the field once I have a license to counsel and treat, but I can tell you that I will have guidelines, rules and regulations set in place for all coworkers and clients to follow. Is it unethical to also have your own set of ethics in your place of work?

9. I work in substance abuse and have a small dilemma that I would like your feed back on. I have a female in my group that has major issues outside her substance abuse. Her underlying causes are major and above my head to deal with. I have requested to my supervisor that she be recommended to an inpatient counseling or licensed therapist. I have great Danes, stay with me, and I sometimes talk about them when there is down time.

Alot of the people in group are dealing with grief and it astounds me how many are dealing with the death of their dog. I understand, I am very attached to mine so it breaks my heart. I have a lady wanting to re home a 1 year old Dane and I mentioned it in group. I cannot take the dog because she has shown aggression to other animals. This female is very interested because her Dane had died a few years back.

She gave me her number and wants me to have this lady call her. I talked to the lady that owns the Dane and told her where I worked and that the dog may technically become a therapeutic animal. I do not think I should have told her that this girl was in my class. I also don't think I should get involved in the process because if the deal turns out bad then I will be looked down upon. I also do not feel that adding an animal to this womans life is a very good idea with where she sits with her personal issues. What are your thoughts? Is it ethically right or wrong for me to be the in between or should I just giver her the ladies name and step back?