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Work values for an academic counselor
In a high school setting, many students have extreme issues, be it with mental health, family, drugs, poor academic performance, etc. As a counselor, it should be one of your core values to care. However, where is the line drawn? To what point can you help them without crossing boundaries or compromising yourself?
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Jenna’s Answer
Hi Nghi!
You ask a very insightful and valid question. As a mental health professional, it seems like the weight of the world's problems (or whatever population you work with) are in your hands/your responsibility. While this may feel true, the reality is that we are not here to change the world (and frankly are not capable of doing so), we are here to support our clients, often in ways others do not/cannot.
We are also human beings, and while the world expects us to fix every mental health problem known to man, we are only capable of what we can provide. In addition to education and skill, we must be very in tune with how we feel. As the saying goes, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
There has been research done around a few key topics that help us to understand and also cope with these thoughts and feelings: compassion fatigue, burnout, secondary trauma, and different types of empathy (cognitive, emotional, compassionate). We have support around us, whether it be other MH professionals, supervisors, or even family/friends/pets that keep us afloat.
If you are interested in this field, I'd suggest tapping in to what draws you to it. Are you a people person, are you curious about how people work or what makes them tick, do you have personal experience that drives and motivates you to do this work, or do you love helping others? Satisfying these internal motivations, as well as CONSTANTLY utilizing your support systems and self-care practices, will continue to keep you moving forward in this work. Hope this helps! (:
You ask a very insightful and valid question. As a mental health professional, it seems like the weight of the world's problems (or whatever population you work with) are in your hands/your responsibility. While this may feel true, the reality is that we are not here to change the world (and frankly are not capable of doing so), we are here to support our clients, often in ways others do not/cannot.
We are also human beings, and while the world expects us to fix every mental health problem known to man, we are only capable of what we can provide. In addition to education and skill, we must be very in tune with how we feel. As the saying goes, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
There has been research done around a few key topics that help us to understand and also cope with these thoughts and feelings: compassion fatigue, burnout, secondary trauma, and different types of empathy (cognitive, emotional, compassionate). We have support around us, whether it be other MH professionals, supervisors, or even family/friends/pets that keep us afloat.
If you are interested in this field, I'd suggest tapping in to what draws you to it. Are you a people person, are you curious about how people work or what makes them tick, do you have personal experience that drives and motivates you to do this work, or do you love helping others? Satisfying these internal motivations, as well as CONSTANTLY utilizing your support systems and self-care practices, will continue to keep you moving forward in this work. Hope this helps! (:
Thank you for the advice.
nghi