My Final Post! For this class, anyways!

I can't believe how fast the 4 weeks have flown by. I have really enjoyed this class! It's been very intense, and I've had no life on the weekends, but its been worth it. I have learned so much about counseling. I tell people its like scuba diving into counseling, doing it in this short period of time. I learned a lot about myself. I realized I am actually pretty good at the basics of counseling. The ethical dilemma on the syllabus intimidated me when I first saw it. When I found out that would be our final I was a bit shocked. I remember the professor saying at the end of class we would know how to respond to it, and I was not convinced. Well, last night I wrote my final and it wasn't anywhere as bad as I thought it would be 4 weeks ago. I've learned that I enjoy an ethical dilemma, breaking it down, seeing possible solutions. I also have had a lot in my private life become fodder for me to think about ethically. Sounds strange, but I think about different counselors I've worked with, and how they measure up to the standards I now know. I've learned that everything is not as black and white as I thought, in relation to counseling. I know that in the past I've gone to therapists who tell me what I should do, rather than letting me come to my own decision. As a counselor, I will help people make their own decisions, and not influence them in any way with my own thoughts and feelings. I am looking forward to applying what I've learned to my future career as a counselor. I'm also really excited about taking more counseling classes. This class definitely taught me that I've made the right decision for my masters studies.