Running head: [BRIEF VERSION OF THE TITLE, ALL CAPS] 1COUN, Lecture notes of Accounting

Download Running head: [BRIEF VERSION OF THE TITLE, ALL CAPS] 1COUN and more Lecture notes Accounting in PDF only on Docsity! Running head: [BRIEF VERSION OF THE TITLE, ALL CAPS] 1 COUN5004 Unit 6: Counseling Specializations and Multidisciplinary Teams COUN5004 – Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors Counseling Specializations and Multidisciplinary Teams Introduction In March 2010, delegates from 31 major counseling organizations met at the ACA Conference to compose a general definition of counseling with viewpoints touching on each organization’s values. This conference’s accomplishments assisted in the advancement of the counseling profession. The definition they settled on is “counselingis a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals”. As simple as the definition is it upholds so much meaning behind it. From the global pandemic to personal life, people will always need the support of others to endure difficult times. As mentioned in the ACA Code of Ethics (2005), “counselors are dedicated to the promotion of human growth and development across the lifespan, engage in practices that are developmentally appropriate in nature, and act as advocates against any barrier that limits human development.” Counseling is such an important profession; especially, in today’s culture with all that is going on in the world. Impact of a Wellness Model The Wheel of Wellness is based on the importance of the holistic approach within counseling. Maslow (1970) concluded that striving toward self-actualization, growth, and excellence is a universal human tendency and overarching life purpose. The holistic model of wellness focuses on the overall well-being of the individual in which the mind, body, and spirit are connected to influence that optimal health. This wellness model impacts the way in which counselors and therapists view clients by providing perspective to how each level of the client’s life may affect the other since the mind, body, and spirit are linked. For example, as a counselor, one must understand how a client’s close relative passing away can affect the client’s schoolwork or change the client’s way of thinking. To effectively use this model, the counselor must gather intimate information about the client such as religious viewpoint, self-regulation, work and personal life, social encounters, and intimacy. Historical Perspective of Key Philosophies The beginning of the counseling profession can be outlined with the emergence of psychology dating back to Aristotle and Socrates. Psychology was not recognized as a “real” science until the late 1800’s. Some of the most influential psychologist contributed to many counseling theories that have given counseling a seat within the helping professions. The major works of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Ivan Pavlov fueled defining moments within the counseling profession’s early history. Early significant events in the development of the counseling profession have been highlighted by the start of the social movement in 1889 by Jane Addams who established the Hull House in Chicago that would become the landmark for promoting ideas of wellness, resilience, and prevention. Wellness as defined by Myers et al. (2000) is a way of life oriented toward optimal health and well-being, in which body, mind, and spirit are integrated by the individual to live life more fully within the human and natural community. According to the American Psychological Association (2012), “psychologists defines resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors.” across school, family, and community systems”. These challenges can be constructively analyzed to develop guidelines such as “trust, clarifying roles, communicating openly and effectively, appreciating diversity of ideas, and balancing the team’s focus” (Belgrad, Fisher, & Rayner, 1995). Analyze how professionals from your specialization and others might collaborate to benefit the “client” in case study selected For Ashley’s case, the professionals who may play a role are the teachers, school, or guidance counselor, or even a school social worker. The teachers are the children’s advocates; therefore, if Ashley’s behavior has changed, the teacher would more than likely be the first to notice. Next, would be a secondary authority figure such as an administrator or school counselor. Their role will be to assess the problem and suggest an intervention. The next step for the school counselor would be to contact Ashley’s parents and discuss a possible solution. The role of a guidance counselor may come in and help identify hobbies, interests, clubs, and other extracurricular activities that could pull her focus on something she likes; something positive, rather. In this case, collaboration, and communication amongst these “helping” professions are important because; in order, for Ashley to make a healthy and timely recovery she needs all her resources to work together. Assess how to ensure good collaboration and communication between the professionals in the two specializations An outside agency such as a clinical practice would help Ashley improve her depression and help her establish coping mechanisms that would help her when she felt overwhelmed with depression. While in this setting, if chemicals were imbalanced, then a psychiatrist would also prescribe medicine that would treat Ashley’s depression. Another outside agency would be an organization that provides support through group counseling and different events that would convert her negative thoughts through positive outlets. How do you measure the effectiveness of treatment? It is objective. It is contingent on the individual client. Variation in clinical practice is often based on the needs of individual patients and their responses to specific treatments (APA, 2002). For treatment efficacy, it refers to the effects of a given intervention compared to a different approach and whether a favorable outcome can be demonstrated scientifically. Conclusion Counselors should also include information regarding “engagement in services, home and social dynamics, relevant historical considerations, psychological profile, academic, vocational, and behavioral functioning, and recent events that may be relevant to any concern” (Lim, 2006). Professional counselors focus on the developmental, prevention, and wellness aspect of their clients. Although, there has been significant debate within the counseling profession about whether professional identity should reflect a unified profession or area of specialization, professional’s central focus is to increase their client’s overall wellness. Fusing ideas of other “helping” professionals can cover treatment gaps. What one professional lacks in strength, another one will make up for in another area. Moreover, each profession can witness their client’s progress in similar, if not the same way. The only difference between these professions will be roles, functions, and tasks; along with, training and licensing.; however, they will share mutual goals. The effectiveness of treatment will be proven in their client’s behavior and thoughts. As (Lopez-Baez & Paylo, 2009) described, “the counseling profession continues to lead advocacy and social action efforts that require interprofessional and cross-system collaboration. References American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Gladding, S. T., & Newsome, D. W. (2010). Clinical mental health counseling in community and agency settings (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill. Bertalanffy, L. V. (1968). General Systems Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications. New York: George Braziller. Wong, Hall, Justice, & Wong-Hernandez, L. (2015). Counseling throughout the Lifespan of Human Development Green, J. B. (2003). Introduction to Family Theory and Therapy: Exploring an evolving field. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Mellin, E. A., Hunt, B., & Nichols, L. M. (2011). Counselor professional identity: Findings and implications for counseling and interprofessional collaboration. Journal of Counseling and Development, 89(2), 140–147. Myers, J. E., & Sweeney, T. J. (2008). Wellness counseling: The evidence base for practice. Journal of Counseling and Development, 86(4), 482–493. American Psychological Association. (2002). Criteria for Evaluating Treatment Guidelines. http://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/evaluating Lopez-Baez, S. I., & Paylo, M. J. (2009). Social justice advocacy: Community collaboration and systems advocacy. Journal of Counseling & Development, 87(3), 276-283.