Professional Competence Issues Essays

Professional Competence Issues Essays Professional Competence Issues Essay Professional Competence Issues Essay It is important for a professional counselor to study theories to develop competency in organizing and understanding counseling approaches and develop a well rounded theory based philosophy in their counseling practice. It is also important to study counseling theories to provide the best due care for clients based on proven methodology, individualization of techniques and a personal yet professional innovative approach that is effective. Because theories give counselors a â€Å"road map† to provide services, it is imperative that counselors understand how to â€Å"read the map† and execute the path to recovery with their clients effectively. Developing Competency: The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics states that the counselor must have competency in the area in which they intend to practice, (APA Code of Ethics C. 2). Being new to the profession, I currently have no knowledge based experience in counseling professionally. However, recognizing that I’m gifted in providing guidance, encouragement and support has led me to pursue higher education to gain that knowledge and build skills to assist those who come to me in need. Counseling theories are essentially complex plans of data gathered by experts that directly address particular dysfunctional human behaviors. These theories are used to categorize client’s issues, help develop an approach in how to assist the client in developing appropriate decision making skills. Understanding theories will assist counselors in identifying common client behaviors and determine what is healthy and dysfunctional, (Murdock pg 26). In studying counseling theories, counselors also gain insight on how the profession is practiced in 400 different methodologies, (Murdock, pg 3). By learning these different characteristics of counseling theories, that are the core ingredient in providing effective counseling services; counselors are confident that their ability to address the needs of their diverse clientele in their chosen area of expertise is proven, acceptable and ethical among others in the professional. Developing Theoretical Practice A counselor must find a theory that connects with their value system, interpersonal skills, and area of practice in which they intend to engage in, (Murdock pg 21). A good theory creates a hypothesis about why certain behaviors happen and what the counselor can do to be helpful. It also explains how change occurs by defining the role of the counselor and the process for change in client behavior. Because theories can define the relationship between counselor and client and determines how a counselor should do their work it is important for the counselor to identify their professional counseling theories before engaging in practice. It is also important to listen to the client to determine the ultimate goal for the therapeutic relationship and together they assist the client in developing ways to cope with life stresses. As a team the counselor and client develop an individualized plan, based on whether the counselor is able to provide services to help alleviate the issue with their competence and theoretical approach. Several theories provide assessment tools to evaluate commonalities in disorderly human behavior, provide proven treatment techniques, and effective tools to classify issues in which the client has expressed. Without these theories already in practice and understood, a new counselor would be in experiential mode, which could lead to unethical practices and cause harm to clients. Conclusion Developing competency is the most important reason a counselor must study counseling theories. Counselors in training must research and practice many theories to determine which ones would fit their personal beliefs, personality, and skill set. Once a counselor has chosen several theories in which to base their practices, they must cultivate a plan that will include a diverse clientele base. They must also continue their education, expand their expertise, and be open-minded and flexible with their theory based approach. A counselor’s job is to figure out how an individual has come to make irrational decisions and assist them with developing the skills to improve their situation, (Murdock pg 24). In order to do so, the counselor must know and understand how their theory would cultivate that outcome while remaining professional and ethical, being value neutral and build support and rapport. References Murdock, Nancy L. (2009). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, A Case Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson American Counseling Association Code of Ethics