Psychological Fitness

Reflecting on my journey as a counselor in training has been both transformative, and humbling. The start of my journey as a graduate school student, like many others, has been sought with highs and low, ups and downs, all experiences, both desired and undesired has shaped me not only as a counseling student, but as a human being.

I admittedly, have always strived for this abstract concept of greatness, and I at one point, deeply believed it was rooted in the illusion of perfectionism. For so long, in both my personal and professional life I had often thought that strength, dependability, and greatness were synonymous with carrying our burdens, no matter how heavy, with grace, with humility and with silence…. I have come to realize that there is no reward, nor accolade in which one would be revered for: “ Best at carrying their burdens in silence” or “ Best at pushing past the point of exhaustion, without ever complaining”, nor “ Best for pretending that they were okay, when they really weren’t”, I have come to accept that up until fairly recently I have spent the majority of my life, believing that these abstract “ medals of honor” were real, and that they meant something.

I have come to realize that self- care can, for many people be seen as a radical act and to be in a profession that requires you to absorb the pain, and grief of others, demanded that we would learn to self-abandon ourselves, with a smile.

I have come to learn how vital self- care is, and throughout my journey have come to learn that true healing can only truly happen with the alignment of the mind, body, and spirit. If we are to serve as vessels, that enable healing, we must embody and evoke the very habits that allow us to remain in alignment. It is true, that there is no life that comes without hardship to some form of adversity, and that it is necessary while we attempt to pour into others, that we as counselors must first ensure that we have enough ourselves to pour in the first place.

I have grown to see, that self- care is more than just having a moment of silence, it is more than finally hitting ‘reply’ to your friend’s text from eight days ago, it is more than taking a 15 minute walk outside, just to see the desert sun set, and far more than taking the time to find a moment to laugh or shake away the day to day stress. Self- care is a counselor’s immune booster, when tasked with carrying the burdens and traumas of others, and it is through self- care that allows us to not sink from the weight of others suffering, in addition to our own.

When we are of clear mind, and body and when we are alert, engaged, and Intune with our needs, and limitations we are more equipped, adaptive and effective within our practice. The ACA Code of Ethics states this ethical guideline as it relates to psychological fitness: “Counselors must refrain from providing professional services, when they are impaired ( due to personal problems, psychological issues, substance use etc.) or when such impairment can harm clients” (ACA Code of Ethics, C.2.G, 2014).  It is expected that if these circumstances arise, that the counselor must immediately communicate to their counseling supervisors and mentors for support, to ensure that the counselor is able to effectively provide services that would not only be detrimental to the client but to the counselor as well.

The artifact found within this page, is a paper that discusses the legal and ethical considerations that a counselor must be made aware of to avoid negative outcomes as it relates to their clients. By understanding various legal and ethical considerations governed by the ACA, in addition to self- care, I can be effectively, and soundly implement interventions that are sound, personalized, and ethical to all that sit on my couch. Through my growth and the reframing of my own personal beliefs, I now see self-care is a tool that enables me to be my personal best in every aspect of my life.