Reflection Paper About Counseling

My beliefs about counseling have changed from the time I entered college up until now. I come from a family that has very strong religious views and when something “negative” occurs it’s due to karma, but if it’s good they claim it was because of God. When I was younger, my family would always have conversations about family members or friends and calling them “crazy.” In my aunt’s case, she said she would hear voices at times, but my family would blame the “dead” trying to communicate with her. My family has always avoided speaking about mental issues, since they believe psychology is “dumb.” I grew up think that counseling was for crazy individuals because my family would say so, but as I grew older I started to gain a different perspective. Now I think of counseling as guiding someone who is in greater need and

There has always been that stigma that if someone receives therapy or counseling, they are viewed as crazy by family and friends, which should not be the case. Usually people need someone to speak to, but do not feel comfortable doing so with friends because they might be afraid that it will not be kept confidential or that they will judgmental. I think the purpose of counseling is so people may overcome their problems or behaviors such as grief, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, etc. I do not think helpers should try change clients or patients, but instead guide them to the correct path and try to come to an agreement what we both think the correct path or decision might be. As helpers we should listen and be able to listen to our clients even when there is a disagreement between differences in values therefore, I think we must leave our values aside so it does not interfere when trying to help the clients. I think that a helper should help clients to a certain extent, where the helper is not at risk or