Role of Counselor

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Role of Counselor The American Counseling Association (ACA) defines counseling as “a relatively short- term, interpersonal, theory-based process of helping persons who are basically psychologically healthy resolve developmental and situational problems” (ACA, 2010b, p.1). Counseling concerns include personal, social, vocational, empowerment and educational matters (ACA, 2010b). This application process occurs through a special dialog in which success depends upon “an emotional exchange in an interpersonal relationship which accelerates the growth of one or both participants” (Wolberg, 1977, p. 10). The ACA Code of Ethics describes the counselor- client relationship as: “…counselors encourage client growth and development in ways that foster the interest and welfare of clients and promote formation of healthy relationships” (ACA, 2005, p. 4). The intimate, empathic connection that occurs within the counselor-client relationship is critical to helping clients achieve their goals as it affords a safe space for the work to take place as well as helping to produce insight and growth. ategies Because counselors will be both inevitably and repeatedly exposed to their clients’ painful material, it is essential that they work to mitigate their reactions so they can continue to be effective clinicians. The American Counseling Association’s Taskforce on Counselor Wellness and Impairment identified five wellness domains to which counselors should attend, including physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual and social (ACA, 2003). The ACA Code of Ethics states that counselors should work to maintain their “emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being” (ACA, 2005, p. 9). Much of the vicarious traumatization and self-care literature organizes self-care strategies into categories that are consistent with the wellness
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