Personal_and_Professional_Development

A REFLEXIVE AND REFLECTIVE DEMOSTRATION AND CRITIQUE OF MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS A STUDENT COUNSELLOR. Introduction This essay will describe and explain how my reflexive and reflective personal and professional development has influence my growth as a student counsellor. It will also describe my growth as a potential counsellor using reflective practise and evaluates practice has been informed with the qualities, values and personal boundaries within the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) ethical framework and readiness to start counselling. At the beginning of my second year this semester, there were a lot of uncertainty with regards to what is expected of me and setting goals with clear map for learning. I decided to go for personal therapy which has really help me until the excitement of my discovery takes hold and tutors were taking responsibility for all the mishaps of my fist year degree in the university. My starting point is my beliefs, based on reflection on my own personal and professional development as a student counsellor. The two are both inextricably connected, and reflecting on it is an essential part of learning that is vital for effective learning that allows me to be honest with myself about my insecurities in readiness for counselling need. While professional development focuses on one's profession or area of expertise, personal development focuses on the individual herself. Therefore by increasing and improving in my personal development; l will also broaden my professional skill capacity and efficiency. It could be said that professional development plan is a division of “personal” development plan -- that focuses on your entire life and "professional" only on the subset dealing with work/career (Zajas, 1994). Professional development can be defined as the process by which a person maintains the quality and relevance of professional throughout learning and working life. It has been defined by the Institute for Continuing Professional Development as: “The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of Knowledge and the development of personal qualities necessary for the education of professional and technical duties throughout the practitioner’s working life” (www.cpdinstitute.org) This term we have covered a range of topics in Personal and professional development, all of which have been aimed to aid us in developing and maturing as a competent counsellors. In understanding my own personality, and accepting it, l developed the ability to change my style of learning which helps me to pay more attention to studies and fulfilling goals. I discovered that my personality is most fitted to ‘expressive’. From this I have gained the knowledge; in setting objectives so that I can achieve my purpose. Though, I also realised that to achieve my objectives, I have to pay more attention to my weaknesses; for example, focusing more on time control and organization. I have been introduced to the new learning Blackboard, which seem so inadequate if lecturers were not inputting any information about the module guide, seminar or lecture notes. Nonetheless I think that it is a good way to communicate through to other students and lectures and submit assignment electronically. As a student counsellor, I have an ethical responsibility as professionals to continue my personal and professional development throughout my learning and career years ahead. These skills can help to offer a supportive and caring relationship in which I can explore any issue at my own pace. It helps to see difficulties more objectively; it also helps to express the feeling and come to terms with new or past experiences. This is part of my growing process whereby unwanted feelings can be changed that can build my self esteem and help to take control of my life and become more assertive. Reflexivity in my own understanding is seen as part of ethical awareness that is an essential part of learning, and using continuing professional development to develop awareness to bring unconscious communication to light in counselling has helped me to identify my blind spots, prevent complacency, and maintain an curious attitude as part of learning, self-care and joggling home front with children reducing the risk of burnout to change my bad habits to maintain focus. Taylor (2000) states reflection is the process of critically analysing practice to uncover underlying influences. Relating these with relevant theoretical knowledge is a vital tool that enables practitioners to bridge the theory-practice gap (Bolton, 2005). It means taking my own experience as a starting point for learning (Jasper, 2006). With these definitions, I will think on my journey as student counsellor by exploring on what I have learnt and reveal an area that needs continuous personal and professional development improvement. As a student counsellor, all the lectures, role play experiences and group task during workshops has offered me the opportunity to critically analyse and reflect both on my personal and professional development. My main highlight is personal development because; studying counselling began by gaining perceptive into my strength, personal values, self-awareness and passion. Also, it is about thinking through some reflective questions such as “Why am I studying counselling and psychotherapy' What interest me' What are the challenges involved or that l will face' These were all my concern in the first year of my degree. Ability to know myself and understand my course is the beginning of my professional development; it has given me the opportunity to continue improving every aspect of my learning even though there is area that is still challenging for me. Personal and Professional development Plan The concept of personal and professional development is closely related. It could be explained that both concept impacts on one another, depending on the aspect at which we perceive the terms. According to Maslow (1996) Personal development refers to individual self-development and the development of others. In addition, personal development may involve programs, tools and methods. As an individual, my personal development includes plans or actions oriented towards one or more of the following aims: goals, developing strengths, improving self-awareness and self-knowledge, building or renewing identity, identifying or improving potential, building employability or human capital, enhancing lifestyle or the quality of life, realising dreams and fulfilling aspirations (Bandura, 1997; Jasper, 2006). In my personal development, I learn information that will help me become more efficient, successful and happy according to (Peter, 1999). In the UK, personal development took a central place in university policy in 1997 when the Dearing Report declared that universities should go beyond academic teaching to provide students with personal development. In 2001 a Quality Assessment Agency for UK universities produced guidelines for universities to improve personal development as a defined structured and a support process set by an individual to reflect upon their own learning, performance, achievement and to plan for their personal, education and career development (Speck &Knipe, 2005). Professional development has been described as intensive and collaborative, ideally incorporating an evaluative stage (Golding &Gray, 2006). There are a variety of approaches to professional development, including consultation, coaching, and communities of practice, lesson study, mentoring, reflective supervision and technical assistance (Jasper, 2006). Those who engage in professional development share a common purpose of enhancing their ability to do their work in lifelong learning and increasing their own skills. Professional development also refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement. Professional development encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from (college degrees to formal coursework, conferences and informal learning opportunities situated in practice.). While professional development focuses on one's profession or area of expertise, personal development focuses on the individual herself. Though, the two are closely related due to the fact that “you perform as you are”, therefore by increasing your personal development you also enlarge your professional skill capacity and efficiency. It could be said that professional development plan is a division of “personal development plan that focuses on your entire life and "professional" only on the subset dealing with work/career (Zajas, 1994). Developing my Personal and Professional Plan The basis for my personal development plan is my ability to look inward into what are my values, who I am, my beliefs, strength and weakness. I was able to reflect and know myself and how I can transform my values into crucial tools that would help my professional development rather than be at the drawback of the clients that would need help in the future. Most counselling and therapy approaches believe that relationship between counsellors and client is very important. Certainly, effective communication between counsellor and clients is an aspect that aids the key elements of a sustainable therapeutic relationship, which includes empathetic understanding, genuineness, unconditional positive regard and trust (Copeland, 2002). It is recommended, that throughout counselling, clients should be free to give feedback and raise concerns about the counselling relationship. I have used the same relationship style in relating with fellow student to address conflict and open to change. The feedback from tutor and fellow student has helped me to readdress my time keeping, studying more and writing more in my personal journal. This is the yardstick that determines the appropriateness of my professional development in readiness for counselling as clearly defined in the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy: Ethical Framework for good practice. In accordance with the BACP code of ethics, I use reflective practice to evaluate and draw my personal and professional plan. Reflection, or rather reflective practice, contributes to professional development by revealing the knowledge and skills used in everyday practice, and exposing areas that require development (Driscoll & Teh, 2001). The values that I prioritise in my professional development plan are respecting client’s human rights and dignity, and also ensuring the integrity of practitioner-client relationship. Moreover, what is critical in practitioner-client relationship is the issue of power discourse. However, what comes to mind is that power is also a potentially destructive weapon that can be used to oppress and exploit people and could lead to abuse in counselling and psychotherapy practice (Thompson, 2003). The principles that I have learnt and hope to adopt in my work with client in balancing power relations and dealing with forms of oppression include beneficence, empowerment and advocacy. Schön (1983) state that reflective practitioners are not just skilful or competent but "thoughtful, wise and contemplative", whose work involves "intuition, insight and artistry” Generally, on our intuition we do what feels right. It is an emotional response that complements our knowledge and what we understand about a subject, and which enables us to act in a situation. Using intuition to inform learning is referred to in education as developing 'meta-cognitive' which l used to have understanding to research and summarise it. Thus reflective practice is perhaps best understood as an approach which promotes autonomous learning that aims to develop students' understanding and critical thinking skills. A technique, such as self and peer assessment, problem-based learning, personal development planning group work and workshops has enhanced my personal and professional development greatly during the cause of my study. All these I will use to support my reflective approach especially in counselling supervision as part of BACP Good Practice ethical frame work. Personal therapy in counselling profession enhances professional awareness, facilitate emotional growth and provide another method of personal reflection; helping others, without impeding ability to listen. Doing this has helped my emotional baggage needs to be dealt with. Personal therapy can be associated with counsellor’s competence. Buckley et al. (1981) ‘’found that in studies of personal therapy reflect, 90 per cent of therapist in samples reported ‘that personal therapy has made a positive contribution to their personal and professional development’. Cited McLeod, 2003 pg 485) The personal therapy stipulated by British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapy are based on custom and practice and clinical wisdom, rather than research evidence (McLeod, 2003) thus personal therapy is an important element for continuous personal and professional development. During my process of personal therapy, l was opportune to join the supervision group which has help me to link theory with practical and have more understanding to case conceptualisations and therapy. Reflection in supervision, in the process of writing notes, time logging and documentation and maintaining confidentiality after sessions even while in supervision has helped me to write more. I now realised the importance when my tutor always telling us to keep writing. I have learnt that client’s best interest must be of high priority in my dealings with them. I also hope to do this by making clients the centre point. In the Law for counselling module, I have also learnt that what constitutes an ethical dilemma for me might not necessarily constitute one for another person because people perceive and analyse situations differently especially in the court of law In relation to ethical dilemma in counselling and psychotherapy, one of the issues that I have observed gears around trust and confidentiality and the different government Acts stipulation. The statutory law and conflict in counselling regulation is an area that interests me in thinking ahead and preparing for practice. Assurance of confidentiality enhances trust and builds a great therapeutic relationship between a practitioner and a counselee (Paterson, 1985). In return, if trust is built and information is disclosed with clarity and honesty especially when conforming to statutory obligations. (Terrorism, Data protection, Child abuse, Criminal act). Trust is also one of the important key elements of a therapeutic relationship and it stands as a core basic to any form of relationship. Langley & Klopper (2005) defined trust as a foundation, the essential requirement for the establishment and maintenance of any relationship. Trust is highly essential in the process of establishing integrity in practitioner-client relationship because clients may be in vulnerable positions. Langley & klopper (2005) stressed that without trust any counselling intervention is unlikely to succeed, because trust encourages disclosure of information about client’s situation which enables practitioners to gain insight and hence, offer qualitative therapeutic support. When a practitioner assures his/her client of confidentiality, she/he feels confident, trust the practitioner with his/her secrets and refer friends for counselling. However, as I progress towards becoming a fully qualified practitioner, I want to be more assertive in my approach and rather than ignore issues of ethical and value discourse, I will confront and address them with respect to boundaries, policies and procedures with any significant others involved. It is suggested that in confronting an ethical dilemma, practitioners should always consult experienced colleagues and supervisors to flesh out the conflicts and to determine potential courses of action to resolve issues (Mattison, 2003). I hope to do this by making use of supervision to carefully analyse ethical dilemma that I encounter. I anticipate to practicing further in a way that any ethical decision reached will protect client’s right and serve client’s best interest while I uphold the values and standard of counselling profession. In a wider scope, I look forward to incorporate these values, and seeing them more than theoretical concept, which I will introduce into how I practice. Good decision making is an essential skill for a successful career generally, and effective counsellor particularly. As a professional, I have learnt to make timely and well-considered decisions which can be open to scrutiny by the client and other. However, I have considered what I could have done differently if or whether procedure needs change or other helpful guidance during my learning. If possible this ethical dilemma can be discussed in supervision. Conclusion Using reflective practice, I have demonstrated in this essay the experience of my personal and professional development. I have differentiated between these two concepts and have also explained how they are intertwined to produce quality and efficient professional relationship in me as a potential counsellor. I have taken on board some core professional values such as trust, confidentiality, developing, professional, relationship and self-assertiveness as principles that underpin my professional development. I hope to apply these valuable experiences to practice as I work with other multi-disciplinary teams to assess service users’ needs and the law and ethical implications that could arise in the course of my placement. Applying for placement has not been easy hence I am yet to find a place. More importantly, as a student counsellor, the question is how does reflective and reflexive influence who I am' This is an ongoing question for me to answer, as I continue with my learning until I take off counselling hat, though there is still room for improvement as I consider myself to be a work in progress. 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