Andrea SanchezUniversity of Houston - Clear Lake

How to Become a Competent Beginning

Counselor

“Developing a personal theory of counseling is an essential part of the training and development of counselors and provides the basis for informed and effective counseling practice” (Spruill & Benshoff, 2000).

Spruill, D. A., & Benshoff, J. M. (2000). Helping Beginning Counselors Develop a Personal Theory of Counseling. Counselor Education and Supervision, 40(1), 70-80.

DEVELOP A PERSONAL THEORY

DEVELOP A PERSONAL THEORY

This process begins during graduate training and continues on throughout one’s professional career.

Even though beginning counselors may be licensed to practice, they are still, in many ways, evolving.

SEEK A SUPERVISOR

“. . . from within the counseling profession, from those who have educational backgrounds, clinical training, and experiences that will help extend and deepen the focus rather than alter the course of the developing counselor” (Pehrsson & Ingram, 2001).

Pehrsson, D. E., & Ingram, M. A. (2001). Supervision: A guide for beginning counselors. Professional Issues in Counseling On‐Line Journal. Retrieved from http://www.shsu.edu/~piic/summer2001/pehrssoningram.htm

SEEK A SUPERVISOR

Seek a supervisor with similar theoretical approach.

SEEK A SUPERVISOR

Nothing will help a beginning counselor grow more than to have an expert telling you how you can improve in your methods and, consequently, grow as a counselor.

WORK WITH DIVERSE POPULATIONS

“The need for multiculturalism in the counseling profession is urgent and necessary for ethical practice, an integral part of our professional work” (Sue, Arredondo, & McDavis, 1992).

Sue, D.W., Arredondo, P., & McDavis, R. J., (1992). Multicultural counseling competencies and standards: A call to the profession. Journal of Counseling and Development, 70, 477-486.

WORK WITH DIVERSE POPULATIONS

It is important for a beginning counselor to have the mindset that anyone can come in for a session and to feel prepared to work with these diverse populations.

KEEP CALM…

TRUST THE PROCESS

THANK YOU!