Counseling Program

Philosophy

Counselors, like all professional human service providers, have a rationale for why they enagage in the practice of counseling. During your time in the program, you will continually reexamine your developing statement of philosophy.

At the end of your first semester you will be asked to submit a statement of philosophy in Theories of Counseling (EDUG 721). That statement begins your journey in developing what is important to you in crafting your philosophy of counseling. While this exercise is ongoing throughout your program, at the end of the program, in Practicum, EDUG 732, you will be asked to submit your final philosophy statement.

Introduction

The philosophy statement is intended to enable students to be responsible for integrating their learning, professional development, and philosophy of life as they focus on their professional work in helping relationships.

Elements in the Philosophy Statement

The program combines theoretical, experiential, and supervised practice; there is an emphasis on the scientist -practitioner model that links three components: a general philosophy of helping, a personal style and way of interaction (process), and RESEARCH. The research is as important as the general philosophy (which may or may not be spiritual).

Developmentally the philosophy statement should all evolve into a concise statement and include, in some cases, a sense of the spiritual if that is important in one's life. It should ultimately be a concise 1 page at most statement that includes some sense of the role of theory, research if applicable, and process, even if not one theory is identified, in their work. It may also include their view of how they personally want to counsel as indicated above.

As it is an evolving process, whatever supports (i.e., references, a theory) may or may not be cited or used. Some students choose one theory, and some are very eclectic as suits high school counseling where counselors need to adapt much more to the situation. So, do what your professional and personal instinct tells you - impart your thinking on this process.



Philosophy Counselors, like all professional human service providers, have a rationale for why they enagage in the practice of counseling. During your time in the program, you will continually reexamine your developing statement of philosophy. At the end of your first semester you will be asked to submit a statement of philosophy in Theories of Counseling (EDUG 721). That statement begins your journey in developing what is important to you in crafting your philosophy of counseling. While this exercise is ongoing throughout your program, at the end of the program, in Practicum, EDUG 732, you will be asked to submit your final philosophy statement. Introduction The philosophy statement is intended to enable students to be responsible for integrating their learning, professional development, and philosophy of life as they focus on their professional work in helping relationships. Elements in the Philosophy Statement The program combines theoretical, experiential, and supervised practice; there is an emphasis on the scientist -practitioner model that links three components: a general philosophy of helping, a personal style and way of interaction (process), and RESEARCH. The research is as important as the general philosophy (which may or may not be spiritual). Developmentally the philosophy statement should all evolve into a concise statement and include, in some cases, a sense of the spiritual if that is important in one's life. It should ultimately be a concise 1 page at most statement that includes some sense of the role of theory, research if applicable, and process, even if not one theory is identified, in their work. It may also include their view of how they personally want to counsel as indicated above. As it is an evolving process, whatever supports (i.e., references, a theory) may or may not be cited or used. Some students choose one theory, and some are very eclectic as suits high school counseling where counselors need to adapt much more to the situation. So, do what your professional and personal instinct tells you - impart your thinking on this process.