Assessing Your Competence

 Assessing Your Competence

            In order for a practitioner to be effective and successful, they must maintain a particular level of competency, knowledge, and understanding of their craft.  Although I am becoming increasingly competent as a counselor, one must continuously evolve, adapt, and stay current.  At present, I am an effective communicator, an accurate and active listener, considerate, sensitive, and empathetic to the emotional needs of others, and capable of incorporating beneficial therapeutic strategies as they apply to the subject.  In addition, I enjoy gathering and organizing information and research, analyzing human development and behavior, and exploring personality (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010). 

However, over the remainder of this program and beyond, it is imperative to build upon the present foundation.  Hence, various courses of action will be employed.  These include yet are not limited to the following: utilizing relevant texts, journals, articles, and internet research, field interaction and experience, seeking guidance and mentoring from senior clinicians and ministers, prayer.

Yet there are blind spots which exist and must be overcome.  (In my humble opinion, everyone is plagued by them to varying degrees.  Those in denial of this are seemingly unrealistic).  The most evident issues requiring additional attention, assistance, and knowledge are cultural blind spots.  Although I interact with differing individuals and groups, thus increasingly expanding my diversity consciousness, there remain several customs, traditions, and beliefs of varying cultures which must be understood, considered, and applied on a case by case basis.  In order to overcome this challenge ongoing research of varying cultures as they pertain to the client will be utilized as well as continued dialogue with those belonging to the same ethnic or cultural group when possible.  Another blind spot may arise when relating to female clients.  There may be some issues which are more difficult to empathize with from a male versus female perspective.  In effort to conquer this matter I must give consideration to women’s plight, the client's individual history, and confer with female colleagues and senior clinicians.

In addition, when making decisions about competencies certain multicultural and ethical aspects must be considered.  As previously stated, accepting and understanding various ethnicities, cultures, and subcultures is imperative.  People or various gender, ages, sexual preferences, religions, and cultural backgrounds will seek assistance and guidance.  Therefore acquiring a knowledge base and concern of differing people is essential.  Also, proper ethics must be regarded and utilized.  The clinician must be aware of general psychological code of ethics and those within their state and organization.  Disregarding either would be detrimental to effective therapeutic practices.  

References:

Seligman, L. W. & Reichenberg, L. W. (2009). Theories of counseling and

psychotherapy: Systems, strategies, and skills (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson.