Umm...So How Do I Counsel?

So I've now been a student in the counseling program here at Penn GSE for about 3 weeks. I've learned a TON about how NOT to counsel and how to be an ethical practitioner. I've learned some theories behind counseling (Freudian psychoanalysis and Adlerian psychotherapy, so far) and I've learned a bit about some of the techniques that a person of those theoretical orientations would use. I've learned about different types of groups and the traits of an effective group counselor, as well as the traits of an effective individual counselor. I guess you could say that in 3 weeks, I've learned quite a bit. To which I would say...I think I've started to learn everything I need to know...EXCEPT the practical applications of how to counsel...

I know that could be taken as a negative, but one of the best things about this program is that it does include a practical component, the practicum. Some of the people in my cohort have already been placed and have already started working with clients, while others, including myself, have not.

I know it's probably important to have some theoretical basis for practice before you actually practice, but waiting for my practicum to start is making me so anxious! The more I learn about what a GOOD counselor is, the more I worry that I really don't know how to be that good counselor.

We did do some practical work in our seminar, a class we take where we can discuss our practicum and how it's affecting us with a counselor from the community, but not having done any REAL work with clients makes the thought of working with clients so intimidating! I DO want to say here that I think the fear I feel about working with clients is probably all part of the process. If anything, it has helped me to gain insight into my motivations for becoming a counselor and into the type of therapist I'm going to be. My fear means that I have a genuine concern and desire to help clients; I don't want to walk into a therapy session without having developed some skills, after all. And learning about the good traits of an ethical counselor has shown me that my common sense approach to helping people isn't necessarily the best approach. It's sort of like I've been shown which of my natural helping tendencies are good for professional counseling and which are not, and knowing that I don't know the best way to counsel yet makes it even scarier to think about now going in to try to help people. 

But of course, we're only 3 weeks in, so I'll let you know how I feel once I actually start counseling! I'm sure that, to some extent, I'll never really know how to counsel until I step into that role with an actual client. Wish me luck!

I Think I'm in Love with this School

Hello!! My name is Zakiya and I'm a brand new student at GSE in the Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS) program. This first post will just be an introduction of who I am and a little bit about my first impressions of Penn GSE and the CMHS program.

I was born in Brooklyn, NY, raised in Brentwood, NY, went to middle and high school in Trinidad & Tobago, studied anthropology at the University of Virginia, and now here I am in Philadelphia. I guess you could call me a traveler, but I'm actually about one-eighth Trinidadian, so that's why I spent so many years in Trinidad.

As far as who I am personally, I love reading. My favorite book is Lillith's Brood. I sometimes write poetry; I'm part of a multicultural sorority called Theta Nu Xi; I studied Japanese for 2 and a half years but now I remember only a small number of words; and I hope to learn some Chinese while I'm here.

Well, that's enough about me. Now, I'll tell you all about my experience so far at Penn. I LOVE IT! My classes have been interesting (although this week the reading is a little heavy), the professors are all easygoing and friendly, and my classmates are all so fun and we've all made friends quickly. So if you ask me how I'm adjusting, I feel like I am already in love with this place. So check back in next time to hear more about my Penn love affair...