Problem:
Reply to the following two peer post:
Brittany Baker
For me, self care is not something I see as selfish or optional. I honestly think it is part of being responsible in this field. If I am run down, stressed, or emotionally overloaded, I cannot show up as my best self for clients. I do not want to be the kind of helper who gives everything away until I am empty, then starts feeling numb or irritated. I want to stay steady, present, and emotionally safe for the people I am helping, and that means I have to take care of myself too.
That belief fits counseling really well because counseling is not just about fixing problems. Counseling focuses a lot on wellness, growth, prevention, strengths, and the whole person. We are not only looking at symptoms, we are looking at what helps people build healthier lives long term. In counseling, the counselor's presence matters. We use empathy, listening, consistency, and emotional regulation as part of the work. If my tank is empty, my patience is shorter, my boundaries get weaker, and I can start carrying client stress around like it is mine. So protecting my mental health and balance is part of protecting my clients too.
I also think counseling is unique compared to other mental health professions because we are trained to work from a developmental and empowerment lens. It is not only diagnosing or treating a disorder, it is also helping people understand themselves, build coping skills, and grow into healthier patterns. We also tend to focus a lot on the client's strengths and goals and meet them where they are. That kind of work can be very meaningful, but it can also be heavy because we are hearing real life pain and trauma while still trying to stay grounded and hopeful. That is why self care and boundaries are so important in counseling. It is not extra, it is part of the job.
Ned Railing
How my values and beliefs about self-care align with the values of being a counselor.
For me, self-care is something I need to properly function. It means making time every morning for my devotions and exercise; having a plan for what I need to accomplish each day/week and having small intervals of quiet. It means setting a 'closing time' for work and classes so I can be present for my husband. It means staying dialed into my Mom and my sisters during the week. When I do these things most of the time, I'm being the me I was meant to be. It's taken a loooong time to get here. When I get off track, I try to rein myself back in. This means setting one thing right at a time and not overcorrecting.
The ACA Code of Ethics, Section C, Introduction and C.2.g both note the ethical obligation for counselor self-care and mental, physical, and emotional well-being. These are not warm suggestions but requirements as part of our profession so that we are always working at our best level of competence. Monitoring burn out and how it could impair their judgement and seek assistance. Since the mental well-being of our clients is the biggest priority of our profession, the only way to provide that is to make self-care a priority of our day.
How my values and beliefs about self-care differ from other medical health professions.
The values and beliefs about self-care in the counseling profession differ from other mental health professions based off the very different Code of Ethics we follow. We are not seeking a medical approach for our clients problems, but a holistic approach where their mental health and wellness get to the point of flourishing and we're not simply looking for the absence of a disease. Counselors look to prevent a disease and not just treat it.
IMHO counseling is so much better because our clients aren't waiting for us to give them an answer. They get to be actively engaged throughout the entire process. Their recovery counts on it. Empowerment is a powerful force that, once the client initiates, can be the beginning of a whole new future! Need Assignment Help?