Acceptance
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change”- Carl Rogers
It is in my reflection that I have come to realize the counseling disposition of Acceptance often goes hand- in hand with the counseling disposition of Self-Awareness. I must understand and embrace that we can only fortify and strengthen our skills to the amount of which we are able to identify, acknowledge and accept areas in which we have limited understanding, and/ or insight.
The ACA Code of Ethics states this regarding the counseling disposition of acceptance: “ Counselors practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials and appropriate professional experience ( ACA Code of Ethics,C.2.a , 2014)
The field of counseling is vast and beautiful and filled with people from all backgrounds, cultures, customs, lifestyles, perspectives, and experiences. As a counselor, it is important that we are transparent in experiences, backgrounds and perspectives that we may not necessarily understand; but it is imperative that we accept our limitations of our lack of knowledge as it applies to each unique individual, and to accept the insight and information that is provided that enables us to build that understanding and to facilitate that growth and connection so that we are able to serve all clients.
Within this page, you will find my artifact, in which I wrote a paper about supporting Marginalized group as it relates to career counseling. This assignment reflects the importance of acceptance of others unique cultures, and experiences. After all, no one knows our clients better than themselves.
I continue to strive to grow in this dispositional area, by continuing to accept and verbalize what it is I don’t know and to practice acceptance on my own reactions, emotions and beliefs that may be activated internally within me, and seek support from trusted supervisors and mentors.
