Becoming a Mental Health Counselor for a patient with HIV/Aids is a position of dignity that can be often skewed or unwarranted due to the negative realm our society has placed upon the diagnosis. The main function of the HIV/Aids counselor is to be supportive of his or her infected and affected clients, to listen to their problems and to empower them to solve their problems and better their lives. These abilities can come easy for some; harder for others. I, as an HIV/Aids counselor, will embrace my future clients that seek my services. Support and empowerment should be an underlying task for any counseling profession, but particularly when working with a client who has HIV/Aids.
When beginning my career as a counselor, I will be faced with clients who have the diagnosis of HIV/Aids. This confrontation poses different issues for me personally and professionally that I will need to address as my career advances and I become more immersed and educated in the career. As a gay white male, many of my clients will have assumptions of me that are easily influenced by societal views. These assumptions, as a therapist, will need to be addressed and transformed into an understanding of HIV/Aids and the varying factors/ways of contraction and the ability to live and cope with the illness.
Treatment aside, I do not believe that I would have any hesitation to take on clients with HIV/Aids. I do believe in HIV/Aids and believe that all therapist should be aware of the infection and its’ ability to affect anyone. “If a mental health practitioner believes HIV infection doesn’t occur in his or her community and therefore fails to learn how to address it appropriately with clients, he or she does a grave disservice.” (Winiarski) I do, however, ...
... middle of paper ...
...as if I may have HIV or a fear of contracting the disease due to my similar lifestyle; ultimately leading towards the distress of early mortality.
Conclusively, I have particular interest in educating my client. I believe that the promotion of safe sex education, HIV/Aids education, life coaching, and coping abilities is an extremely influential factor in dealing with chronic illness. I want to be that counselor that is able to demonstrate to my client how to talk about HIV/Aids to loved ones, friend and colleagues, and to deal with feelings of loneliness, depression, powerlessness and suicide; all possible through consistent education.
Works Cited
Walker, G. (1991). In the Midst of Winter: Counseling Families, Couples, and Individuals with
AIDS Infection. NY: W.W. Northon & Co.
Winiarski, M. Understanding HIV/AIDS Using the Biopsychosocial/Spiritual Model.
“Clinically, the HIV infected adolescents present as physically stunted individuals, with delayed puberty and adrenarche. Mental illness and substance abuse are important co-morbidities” (Naswa, 2010). Naswa, 2010 also reports that adolescences with HIV have a higher susceptibility rate to contract STD’s that the average individual due to the thinner lining of mucus in the ovaries at this stage of their development. The stigma of living with HIV is also a factor for her psychosocial development. The fact that she contracted this disease from her father further contributes to emotional trauma.
Harm Reduction theory is an approach that was originally and successfully used when counseling HIV positive clients. When using the Harm Reduction approach during drug treatment, the counselor approaches the issue of substance abuse as a something more than just an issue to be cured. The intent of Harm reduction therapy is not to completely eliminate the client’s use of drugs, but instead focuses on minimizing the physical and mental harm that can be associated with the ongoing abuse of the given substance. The strategies used during this type of therapy emphasize management of the clients drug and alcohol use. In many cases teaching the client this type of drug management approach has been shown to reduce harm to the client, people closely involved with the client, as well as to the community. (Miller, 1996)
The counseling session should be centered on the client and their understanding of their world and/or problems not heavily weighted on the counselor interpretation of the client’s situation. The role of the counselor is to examine a problem needs changing and discover options in overcoming their problem. Bringing about change can help change the client’s narrative on their problem in the future and/or on life in the process.
Zich, J., & Temoshok, L. (1987). Perceptions of social support in men with AIDS and ARC: Relationships with distress and hardiness. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 17, 193-215.
It is a privilege to interview veteran therapists who are exiting the counseling arena after a long career in the profession. I was honored to shadow Lea Keylon, a seasoned counselor, who on the eve of retirement set aside time for a student interview. The enlightening interview opened my understanding to the importance of proper diagnostic coding for insurance reimbursements, the financial struggles of private practice, and the poignant effect of forensic counseling on therapist (L. Keylon, personal communication, March 26, 2010). Lea was eager to share her counseling accounts; however, the excitement of retirement planning could be seen in her demeanor. Private practice requires self-discipline, constant research for legislative changes, peer support and consultation, time management, tenacity, and patience. The encounter with Lea impressed the importance to surround myself with colleagues that are enthusiastic about learning and continuing education opportunities, to hire assistance for time-consuming administrative task, and adequately assess a proper caseload that will sustain my counseling practice and without avoid counselor burn out (L. Keylon, personal communication, March 26, 2010).
The field of clinical mental health is one of great reward, but also one of grave responsibility. It is the duty of the counselor to provide the client with a safe environment and an open mind, in order to foster a healthy therapeutic relationship. The majority of mental health counselors would never intentionally harm their clients; however; good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong will not occur. The ethical expectations and boundaries are regulated by both laws and professional codes. When discussing ethics, one must realize there are two categories, mandatory and aspirational. (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007)
My vision as a practitioner scholar in the field of psychology lies in clinical counseling. As a clinical counselor
I know as I further my education in the counseling field my philosophy of counseling will change. For myself, I feel that I am still young and learning about myself and my surroundings. In my eyes to be suitable to help others I need to continue to grow as a person myself both professionally and mentally. I want to be able to move forward and develop new distinctions and aspects to my philosophy of counseling as time goes on. I hope to continue my growth in understanding of what it means to be a good therapist or counselor by using good theories and techniques to help future clients.
As well as, remembering that mental health may or may not play a role in these conflicts. The counselor must first assess his or her own views regarding sexuality. Working with clients apart of the LGBT culture, the counselor should not consider homosexuality unnatural or immoral. A counselor has the skills necessary to create a positive and nonjudgmental environment, and will not feel uncomfortable discussing issues related to homosexuality. It’s important for counselors to support clients in the coming out process at a pace that is healthy for them. Also, to help the LBGT individual identify who they are, and assist in developing their coping skills. With the help of support groups and the counselor, many conflicts can be resolved (Sue & Sue,
McCree, D. H., Jones, K., & O'Leary, A. (2010). African Americans and HIV/AIDS Understanding and Addressing the Epidemic. New York: Springer.
The counselor accomplishes the above by expressing empathy, developing discrepancies, going along with resistance and supporting self-efficacy. Moreover, the counselor guides the client toward a solution that will lead to permanent posi...
I now realize how important it is to be a good listener. I must listen carefully to each client to assess their needs and connect them to all available resources in the community. Before this class, it never occurred to me that patients have the right to play an active role of their healthcare and should be included in the recovery process. However, most importantly, I learned about dual relationships. The reason why I developed a passion for the Human Services field was my interaction with the amazing volunteers at my workplace.
The first goal of intervention is for Precious to gain access to health care, and health care related resources so that she can mange HIV symptoms. Along with access to health care, Precious also seeks to gain access to emotional and mental health supportive resources to cope with her chronic illness. As a means of intervention, I will assist Precious by providing health care resources. I will aid in filling out application for Medicaid and follow up with patient to assist if necessary when her primary care physician is established. To further Precious’ access to care, I will provide her with resources for Powerful Youth, a program that provides health and physiological services for HIV positive young people. In addition to programs that provide HIV drug therapy and medical care, Powerful Youth incorporates HIV support group meeting. According to research in regards to the Powerful Youth, the program is used in conjunction with primary care settings and has been shown to reduce stress, expand social support, and improve emotional health, reduces HIV related risks, enhances medical adherence, and provide coping strategies (Solórzano & Glassgold, 2010). The Powerful Youth program is a culturally relevant because the program exists within the client’s own culture. The program is located in Precious’ current neighborhood, and it designed to reach people within her ethnic and age demographic. In
Sexual relationships between counselors and clients should never ben permitted due to the power associated with the counselor’s role with clients. While ethical guidelines vary between different counseling associations as to whether it is acceptable for counselors to have sexual relationships with clients after the professional relationship has ended, in many cases these relationships continue to be prohibited. This standard is held because some believe that the powe...
From the moment scientists identified HIV and AIDS, social responses of fear, denial, stigma and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. Discrimination has spread rapidly, fuelling anxiety and prejudice against the groups most affected, as well as those living with HIV or AIDS. It goes without saying that HIV and AIDS are as much about social phenomena as they are about biological and medical concerns. Across the world the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS has shown itself capable of triggering responses of compassion, solidarity and support, bringing out the best in people, their families and communities. But the disease is also associated with stigma, repression and discrimination, as individuals affected (or believed to be affected) by HIV have been rejected by their families, their loved ones and their communities. This rejection holds as true in the rich countries of the north as it does in the poorer countries of the south.