Description
The textbook and the readings for this first topic begin to describe some of the key elements for a successful therapeutic relationship.
Write a 1,200-1,500-word essay that describes the characteristics and roles you hope to embody as a counselor and the counselor dispositions that you want to bring with you. You may write in the first person for this assignment. Include the following in your paper:
- Your role as the therapist in the counseling process within community and private mental health systems
- Refer to the Counselor Dispositions. Which of these dispositions will you incorporate into the counseling relationship and how?
- Counseling skills you plan to practice for building rapport with clients
- Strategies to advocate for persons with mental health issues
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
This assignment meets the following CACREP Standards:
2.F.5.f. Counselor characteristics and behaviors that influence the counseling process.
2.F.5.g. Essential interviewing, counseling, and case conceptualization skills.
5.C.3.d. Strategies for interfacing with integrated behavioral health care professionals.
5.C.3.e. Strategies to advocate for persons with mental health issues.
Dispositions are the values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence behaviors toward
others, and, if sincerely held, dispositions lead to actions and patterns of professional conduct. The
Grand Canyon University Counseling Program’s dispositions adhere to the University’s mission
statement, as well as to the established counseling profession codes of ethics.
The Grand Canyon University Counseling Program have adopted the following dispositions for
its students derived from the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. Although
these dispositions are not all inclusive, they do represent values and qualities that are warranted by
counseling students. Students who fail to adhere to or demonstrate such dispositions may be
subject to disciplinary actions.
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Psychological Fitness: Counselors* are aware and assess their motives for pursuing the
counseling profession. They are aware of their unfinished emotional and/or mental health
issues, and resolve them before starting to provide counseling services to others. Counselors
engage in self-care and seek resolutions to issues that arise during their practice. Counselors
adhere to the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and/or the NAADAC,
the Association for Addiction Professionals Code of Ethics.
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Self-Awareness: Counselors are aware of their personal moral, ethical, and value systems and
provide counseling services with objectivity, justice, fidelity, veracity, and benevolence.
Counselors are acutely aware of their personal limitations in providing services, and are willing
to refer clients to another provider when necessary.
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Cultural Diversity: Counselors respect, engage, honor, and embrace diversity and a
multicultural approach that supports the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people
within their social and cultural context. Counselors promote self-advocacy and assist clients in
advocating for empowerment within their cultural context.
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Acceptance: Counselors foster a healthy climate of change by providing and promoting
acceptance, and a nonjudgmental environment during the therapeutic process. They understand
their personal value system and do not impose their values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors on
their clients.
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Empathy: Counselors foster understanding, compassion, and avoid any actions that can cause
harm to a client. Counselors treat others with dignity and respect.
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Genuineness: Counselors deal truthfully with themselves and their clients, in order to avoid
harming their clients.
© 2015. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
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Flexibility: Counselors practice a client-centered approach, and align treatment to the client’s
goals for therapy.
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Patience: Counselors understand the therapeutic process and respect client’s efforts to gain
control over their lives. Counselors encourage an environment that promotes selfempowerment and allows client’s voice in the therapeutic process.
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Amiability: Counselors do not support or engage in any act of discrimination against a
prospective, current, or former client. Counselors promote and practice social justice and do
not exploit others in their professional relationships.
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Professional Identity: Counselors adhere to regulatory state boards and nationally recognized
codes of ethics. Counselors practice only within their scope and competencies. They seek to
utilize best practices and empirically supported treatments. Counselors stay current with the
counseling profession through seeking continuing education, and by supporting counseling
associations.
* The term counselor is used to refer to counselors in training at the graduate level.
American Counseling Association (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
Walz, G. R., & Bleuer, J. C. (2010). Counselor dispositions: An added dimension for admission
decisions. Vistas Online publication, 1, 11-11.
© 2015. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
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