Professional Identity Paper: This paper will consist of 3 to 4 pages describing

Question

Professional Identity Paper:

This paper will consist of 3 to 4 pages describing the development and key components of your professional identity as a counselor. You should write this paper specific to the type of helping profession in which you are currently engaged or plan to be as a mental health counselor, substance abuse counselor, guidance counselor, school psychologist, social worker, etc. If you are not currently involved in a counseling profession, envision yourself working as a counselor.

The first few chapters from the text will help to guide you. You are expected to identify, describe, and incorporate related concepts from these chapters. The following questions/issues are intended to provide a guide/outline for writing your paper:

1) Why have you selected your particular area of counseling or helping profession?

2.) What personal, family, social or cultural factors have influenced you in this decision?

3.) What personal characteristics do you think will help of hinder your work in the field?

4.) Are there any particular aspects of the field that interest you most in terms of an area of specialization, for example, women, trauma, children, schools, etc.? Why?

5.) Identify and describe a significant life experience that you believe may contribute to you becoming a good helping professional.

6.) What values and biases do you see as contributing to or interfering with your professional work?

7.) What do you believe are or will be your strengths and weaknesses as a helping professional?

Explanation / Answer

1. I have selected the field of a clinical psychologist, particular to autism and intellectual disability. The reason for this is that I have two cousins who suffer from autism and are very close to me. It became my aim and goal to help them and otheres who are on the same boat as them.

2. My family has been very supportive in my decision and have understood the personal reasons that I have i.e. my cousins to take up this profession.

3. I personally believe that my incapability of differentiating my personal and professional life would act as a hinderance. I am also afraid that I would become too emotionally attached to my clients and won't be able to think in an objective view.

4. I am particularly interested in working with children. Early intervention is the best intervention. I can hope to see most of the changes in my clients only if I work with them from a young age.

5. I have attended a seminar with my autistic cousins and parents about autism. The auditorium was filled with autistic children and their parents. Almost all the parents had a sense of helplessness which I wanted to make them feel better but couldnt. That was when I decided to enter this field.

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