Rationale for Seeking Specialization in A Clinical Counseling-Related Program
Clinical counseling is a segment of clinical psychology which aids individuals as they navigate mental health and emotional difficulties. There is a myriad of reasons why I want to engage in clinical counseling as a professional because of the significant positive impacts it provides to those in need of counseling sessions (Lohr, 2020). Counseling may aid those that are struggling, and they may be dealing with personal issues such as divorce or loss of a job. Via assessments and diagnoses, counselors also play an important in mitigating mental health issues such post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, stress, depression, and even anxiety (Why Mental Health Counseling Is Important, 2017). Therefore, I chose to counsel because it can help people to get back on their feet and feel stronger and empowered. Similarly, it can help them to let go of the past and start afresh without regrets of feelings of guilt.
Clinical mental health counselors who are licensed have the requisite qualifications to meet the issues and challenges that are associated with high-quality care in a cost-effective way. This is because the training process entails a plethora of contexts and settings that offer divergent challenges and obstacles. For instance, they practice in independent agencies, community agencies, hospitals, managed behavioral healthcare organizations, assistance programs for employees, as well as centers for treatment for substance abuse.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Via the graduate education in conjunction with clinical training, I can be able to achieve my career goal of giving back to my community by helping those that are in need of my services. Similarly, I will be capable of formulating novel strategies for treating mental health conditions while also incorporating evidence-based practices into my research, thus attaining the peak of my career field.
Impact of Previous Employment, Volunteer Work, And Other Human Service or Counseling Experiences
In my previous experiences in counseling, I believe I have attained the requisite skills to undertake the program successfully. For instance, one of the skills from my previous experience include teamwork, communication, and collaboration. These are some of the inspirations for applying for the program because I possess some of the basic skills and experiences that can significantly help me in the counseling program. Similarly, my previous experiences in counseling have instilled in me the qualities of empathy, which is crucial for understanding the perspectives of those in need of counseling.
In the same way, in some of the volunteering activities in my community, I was able to help those suffering, and I could perceive how they appreciated my help. This is among the biggest inspirations in my decision to apply for the program as I can gain more knowledge and experiences to extend my services to a larger population and thus have a more momentous impact in my society.
Culturally Relevant Interpersonal Skills
From my interactions with people from numerous cultures, races, religions, ages, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic status, I have come to appreciate diversity and its significance in our society. Similarly, I have learned to be sensitive according to the different contexts, and I believe this element has helped in relating well with others because I am understanding of their situations. This applies to both individuals and small group settings, as I have also worked and collaborated with different people.
Usually, mental health counselors provide their services to diverse populations. Therefore, it is in my understanding that having culturally relevant interpersonal skills is critical to the practice. As a mental health counselor, I am required to communicate with clients and patients in a manner that they can easily comprehend. Mental health counselors that do not have the basic understanding of each culture runs the risk of miscommunication, misdiagnosis, and even have their advice ignored because it is not culturally appropriate. Therefore, they are incapable of crafting appropriate solutions that may be of help to the individual. One of the steps that I am willing to take to further develop my interpersonal skills is to learn about the different cultures via journals and academic books. I also aim to read novels and watch cultural movies for the purpose of understanding and gaining insights on some of the mechanisms of the different cultures. Another way of developing culturally competent skills is to attend diversity-focused conferences where I will not only gain knowledge but also interact with different cultures and meet potential collaborators (Clay, 2010).
Self-Awareness
One of the life experiences that has heightened my sense of self-awareness is that during my teenage period, I had self-esteem issues, and it had affected my social life significantly. However, when I visited a therapist to help me through the depression that I was going through, my life changed abruptly, and it was a complete turnaround. I am appreciative of what the counselor had done for me in appreciating myself and gaining self-awareness. That same experience taught me to be resilient, steadfast, and be patient in all situations. This is among the biggest inspirations to apply to the program and advance my career in this field as I look to help others to overcome their mental health issues. I also believe that the positive attributes gained through my experience can help me in overcoming some of the challenges that are inherent in the program and later on in my career path.
Future Professional Goals in Counseling
Some of the requirements of New Jersey state in regards to licensure include those that relate to education, supervisions, examination, fees, as well as renewal (How to Become a Counselor in New Jersey, 2020). The appropriate degree programs ought to include a minimum of 45 hours of graduate coursework in eight of the following areas:
The counseling profession
Research and evaluation
Social and cultural foundations
Appraisal of individuals
Group dynamics, processes, consulting, and counseling
Lifestyle and career development
Human growth and development and maladaptive behavior
The helping relationship
Counseling theory and practices
As a requirement of CACREP accredited graduate degree programs, an individual will have to complete a minimum of 600 hours of experience in internship amid their graduate coursework. Regarding supervision, LPCs ought to complete 4500 hours of supervision in three years. One should also pass the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification to qualify for licensing where they will be required to pay licensure fees.
References
Clay, A. R. (2010). How do I become culturally competent? Retrieved 9 September 2020, from https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2010/09/culturally-competent
How to Become a Licensed Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey. (2020). Retrieved 9 September 2020, from https://onlinecounselingprograms.com/counseling-licensure/how-to-become-a-counselor-in-new-jersey/
Lohr, B. (2020). What Is Clinical Counseling? Retrieved 9 September 2020, from https://www.capella.edu/blogs/cublog/what-is-clinical-counseling/#:~:text=Clinical%20counseling%20is%20a%20branch,counseling%20and%20social%20work%20fields.
Why Mental Health Counseling Is Important. (2017). Retrieved 9 September 2020, from https://www.antioch.edu/auonline/2017/04/07/mental-health-counseling-important/
