Counselor Identity Reflection Presentation Charlotte Prater COUN 7449

Counselor Identity Reflection Presentation Charlotte Prater COUN 7449 Family, School, Community Collaboration

Assignment Description OBJECTIVE: Fulfill MEd portfolio requirement, “Assignment that reflects emergent identity as a professional […] school counseling […] counselor. ” DESCRIPTION: Candidates will answer 4 discussion prompts, completing at least 1 slide per prompt. Candidates will use narrative text as well as relevant coursework, artifacts, resources, links, images, etc. In addition to satisfying the above referenced objective, this presentation may be useful for group presentations (e. g. , PTA/PTO, community outreach, etc. ) where there is a need to provide basic definitional information about professional school counseling.

What is a school counselor? I believe a school counselor has to be multitalented and flexible. School counselors strive to adhere to the American School Counselor Association’s National Model and follow the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics. The primary role of a school counselor is to counsel students individually and in small groups. Guidance lessons are also typically a major area of a school counselor’s profession. Professional school counselors are open to learn and experiment new methods and techniques in order to best help his or her students through professional development. Professional school counselors advocate for students and act as mediators between their students and those who can provide the necessary assistance. On a comprehensive level, a school counselor strives to improve the climate and overall wellbeing of the school through the use of databased interventions and collaboration between families and the local community. School counseling is a much needed helping profession for skillful, talented, and determined individuals.

What’s unique about PK-12? As an emerging school counselor, my focus is on the holistic wellbeing of students. Through Ethics and Foundations of School Counseling (COUN 7445), I learned that school counseling contains a specific responsibilities unseen in related professions such as teaching or general counseling. On one hand, I can help students in life in and outside of the school setting through group counseling, individual counseling, and guidance lessons but I also get to assist with overall school development and improvement. Being located within a school provides ample opportunities for student check-ins and immediate assistance with emergencies however, sessions for school counselors are typically shorter than general counseling session because instruction is the primary purpose for school. In my Practicum (COUN 7737) and Internship I (COUN 7738) experiences, I have observed how the focus in a school setting is education and mental health and overall wellness are often prioritized lower. While there are demands in the school setting, being onsite helps establish rapport with students, teachers, administration, and faculty and provides easier, quicker access to students.

How have you grown? The growth I have experienced on my journey to become a professional school counselor is significant. I came into the program wanting to help students in any way possible and I am seeing more and more how this goal, while not easy, is achievable and the ways in which this goal is achievable. My general understanding of counseling in general has morphed from an incorrect understanding to one that is practical and realistic. My basic counseling skills, especially empathy, active listening, and questioning, have grown tremendously from Models and Techniques of Counseling (COUN 7333) and my experiences as a peer supervisor for an additional Models course. I believe I have seen the most growth and change through Practicum (COUN 7737) and Internship I (COUN 7738). My ethical understanding has been put to the test multiple times during these experiences, I have grown in understanding and application of various interventions, and I have learned how to take initiative as a counselor in the school setting. On a more personal reflective note, I know that I need to take my time counseling clients and trust in the counseling process as I have in the past tried to rush the process and search only for solutions. Finally, my theoretical orientation has begun to emerge as my experience and growth progresses.

How will you continue to grow? My continued growth as a professional school counselor must be set as a priority. As I have previously observed, it is very easy for school counselors to find one intervention or guidance lesson that works for a particular student or group and overuse it. The focus of the school counselor should always be on the students and their needs. I plan on attending ASCA conferences and keep my ASCA membership updated to continue growing as a school counselor. I also want to keep in touch with my fellow school counselors through this cohort and other areas to collaborate with one another. Constantly challenging myself to try new techniques will be another way I can continue to grow as a school counselor.

References § ASCA National Model § http: //www. schoolcounselor. org/school-counselors-members/asca-national-model § ACA Code of Ethics § https: //www. counseling. org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics. pdf