Pursuing a counseling degree is deeply rooted in my personal and professional aspirations. I am passionate about helping people and have always been compelled to do so. Witnessing the transformative power of counseling can help people develop, heal, and change people’s lives. I am inspired to get a counseling degree to acquire knowledge, skills, and an ethical foundation. I want to be equipped with the tools to change people’s lives. I must help others overcome challenges and realize their greatest potential. A counseling degree will help me comprehend human behavior and the psyche. This understanding will enable me to give attentive and compassionate treatment to varied patients, meeting their particular requirements. Counseling degrees provide career opportunities and personal satisfaction. Counselors are needed in schools, hospitals, community groups, and private clinics. This degree will allow me to change people’s lives and have a meaningful profession.
I have always been interested in human psychology and behavior. I am fascinated by our ideas, feelings, and behaviors complexity. I need a counseling degree to assist my clients in overcoming their issues. The counseling program will teach me theoretical theories, therapeutic methods, and research-based approaches. This understanding will guide me through the complex world of human behavior. Theoretical models help explain and understand human psychology by revealing the fundamental causes of ideas, emotions, and actions (Stoll et al., 2020). I can help others develop and recover by learning therapeutic skills. I use cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and humanistic methods to meet each client’s requirements. A counseling degree will also provide me with effective, research-based approaches. I can provide the best treatment to my patients by being up-to-date on the newest research.
The counseling profession offers an appealing versatility that deeply resonates with me. This course will give me several employment environments to choose from. I am excited to work in schools, hospitals, private offices, or community groups since it offers opportunities for development, learning, and specialization in my interests and ideals. I want to help children of all ages handle academic and personal problems in schools. This variation will let me learn new skills, adjust to varied demands, and appreciate young people’s unique issues. I also advise hospital patients and their families through sickness, trauma, and sorrow. I can assist people in recovering by listening, supporting, and providing coping methods. Healthcare environments are fast-paced and ever-changing, giving me various situations to improve my clinical abilities and psychological intervention expertise (Stoll et al., 2020). Private practices allow me to have a deeper relationship with clients. I could explore people’s lives, develop genuine therapeutic connections, and encourage personal growth and mental health here. Private practices enable me to concentrate on each client’s requirements and customize treatment strategies. Community groups also allow large-scale goods. I can handle societal concerns like addiction, homelessness, and domestic violence with varied people in these situations. Community outreach and advocacy help society, create awareness, and encourage accessible mental health services.
Regarding my prospects for success in a graduate counseling program, I am confident in my ability to thrive. Communication and interpersonal skills drive my confidence. These qualities help build client connections and create a secure and supportive counseling environment. Effective communication requires attentive listening, empathy, and clear expression (Stoll et al., 2020). I developed these talents via personal and professional experiences. My heart and compassion boost my confidence in my counseling program abilities. I want to assist people to overcome their obstacles and flourish. My natural empathy helps me connect with clients and develop trust and teamwork, which is essential in therapy. My self-reflection makes me proud. I believe in self-reflection throughout my academic career and beyond. This commitment will help me understand my biases, counseling skills, and limitations. I can best serve my clients by periodically analyzing my ideas, beliefs, and behaviors. I also want criticism and progress. I am open to critiques and prepared to learn from others. Counselors must always remember and adapt. Thus, I look forward to graduate counseling’s difficulties and learning chances.
Counseling Aptitude
Research suggests that effective counselors possess several key personality characteristics. Counselors and professionals need empathy and emotional intelligence. Empathy is essential to building a good therapeutic connection and helping clients. Empathy is understanding and sharing another’s emotions. Counselors must empathize with their client’s feelings, thoughts, and opinions. Thus, counselors may help clients overcome their issues. I practice empathy in my therapy. Active listening shows empathy. I offer clients that their ideas and emotions are appreciated by paying attention, keeping eye contact, and delivering verbal and nonverbal clues. This degree of attention helps me comprehend their feelings and provide meaningful and sympathetic solutions. I also establish a secure, nonjudgmental atmosphere for clients to express themselves. Empathy includes listening, respecting, and validating others (Pilecki et al., 2021). I validate customers’ sentiments by noticing and validating them. Validation builds trust and rapport, enabling clients to express their feelings.
Human interaction requires emotional intelligence—perceiving, analyzing, and managing emotions. It requires deep self-awareness and the ability to negotiate others’ emotions. I have exercised emotional intelligence throughout my life. I can make meaningful connections and create a supportive atmosphere for my clients by paying attention to nonverbal cues, subtle emotional shifts, and my communication style. Self-awareness supports emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence begins with self-awareness. I self-reflect constantly. I get emotional understanding by consistently evaluating my thoughts, emotions, and responses. Self-awareness helps me control my emotions and react empathetically (Pilecki et al., 2021). Emotional intelligence also involves understanding others’ feelings. Facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice are all ways people communicate. Through careful study, I have learned to understand these nonverbal clues and properly assess others’ emotions. I am sensitive enough to provide support and empathy even when others do not say how they feel.
Emotional intelligence also affects my counseling approach by adjusting my communication style to match others’ emotional requirements. Tailoring my speech to each person’s emotional composition strengthens the therapeutic partnership. I can make customers feel understood, appreciated, and protected by changing my tone, words, and interaction. This sympathetic approach fosters trust and encourages clients to share their ideas, feelings, and experiences without judgment. I show clients I care through listening and comprehending. Empathy validates, hears, and supports clients, making therapy more effective (Koç & Kafa, 2019). I notice and help people process their emotions by showing empathy. Emotional intelligence creates a supportive and interactive counseling environment. I can help colleagues by improving my emotional intelligence. Clients feel seen, heard, and understood when I notice and comprehend emotions, moderate my reactions, and change my communication approach. This allows for greater difficulties, coping techniques, and resilience. Emotional intelligence helps me coach clients compassionately and effectively, helping them develop and thrive.
Potential Areas for Growth
As I become an effective counselor, I expect to encounter various challenges. My academic program and counseling skills are some of these challenges. I expect to face challenges with managing the counseling program’s coursework and demands of the counseling program. Managing academics, assignments, and practical experiences requires time management and organization. I will make a study schedule, prioritize work, and approach teachers and classmates for help to overcome this issue (Pilecki et al., 2021). I will utilize counseling texts, academic databases, and online learning platforms to improve my counseling skills. My counseling curriculum provides complete information and practical skills for a successful counseling profession. Coursework may be daunting. To tackle this difficulty, I will create a specific study calendar that breaks down my responsibilities and assignments into digestible portions. This will enable me to give each topic enough time without cramming.
I will prioritize critical and urgent chores by prioritizing. This helps me organize and fulfill deadlines. I will remain disciplined and motivated throughout the program since procrastination may be a big problem. I want to bond closely with my instructors and students because I value teamwork and support. I can learn more by engaging in class discussions and asking questions. They can assist me in grasping the course content and establishing a well-rounded counseling style. I will use resources and classroom knowledge. Counseling textbooks provide theoretical foundations and evidence-based techniques (Koç & Kafa, 2019). I can remain current with the newest research by using academic databases. Online platforms may augment my curriculum with video lectures and interactive assignments. I will aggressively seek counseling experience to improve. Counseling requires hands-on learning to apply theoretical principles to real-world situations. Internships, practicums, and volunteer work provide me with practical experience and help me network.
I also expect to work with diverse demographics and traumatized or challenging mental health clients. These conditions need emotional resilience, self-care, and a solid support system (Koç & Kafa, 2019). To overcome this challenge, I have developed a comprehensive plan that includes regular self-care, supervision or consultation from experienced professionals, and personal therapy to process and manage any vicarious trauma or emotional burden. Working with diverse populations requires sensitivity, cultural competency, and an awareness of individual differences (Koç & Kafa, 2019). Each client’s experiences, background, and beliefs might affect counseling. It is crucial to treat every client with respect and an open mind. Self-care helps me work with diverse populations. Taking care of myself keeps me established and helps me assist and guide my clients. I prioritize relaxation, stress reduction, and emotional well-being via exercise, meditation, hobbies, and quality time with loved ones. I can assist others by caring for myself. Working with diverse groups and traumatized requires self-care and expert supervision or advice (Koç & Kafa, 2019). Supervision lets you analyze situations, examine personal emotions, and learn from experienced professionals. This will improve my clinical abilities, cultural competency, and awareness of dealing with diverse populations.
I also know that personal counseling helps manage the psychological costs of dealing with traumatized. Personal therapy gives me a secure place to examine my ideas, feelings, and responses throughout treatment. Self-reflection, recognition of prejudices, and techniques to preserve professional boundaries and deliver successful client care are possible. Personal counseling helps me understand my motivations and weaknesses, making me a more empathic and successful practitioner. Complex ethical considerations will be another challenge. I will face many ethical challenges as a mental health practitioner. Ethical decision-making weighs numerous considerations, considers risks and advantages, and always serves the customer (Pilecki et al., 2021). I aim to keep current on ethical rules and contact supervisors, coworkers, and ethical committees to address this difficulty. I can deliver the best treatment while upholding ethical standards by staying current. Trusted specialists can help you discuss ethical issues from varied viewpoints. These collaborative dialogues help me discover insights, explore alternatives, and make well-informed choices that value my clients’ well-being and autonomy.
In conclusion, I chose to pursue counseling because of my passion for helping people, my interest in psychology, and the profession’s adaptability. With these motivating factors, I can succeed in a graduate counseling school and have a lasting influence on the individuals I help. My interpersonal skills, gained through personal and professional experiences, are one of my greatest talents. I have always been an empathic listener and cherish human connection. My natural empathy and self-reflection will help me progress as a counselor. I believe in self-improvement and professional growth. Empathy and emotional intelligence will guide my therapy. I inspire people to explore their feelings, understand their issues, and make good changes by creating a nonjudgmental and supportive therapeutic atmosphere. Everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and supported, and I am committed to providing a safe environment for healing and development. I am ready for academic and professional challenges. My studies, practical experiences, and personal responsibilities require effective time management. To avoid burnout, I will emphasize self-care. Support and supervision from seasoned experts will help me navigate the counseling industry. I value ethics and will always adhere to them in my profession. I want to build trust and respect with my customers by protecting their privacy and well-being.
References
Koç, V., & Kafa, G. (2019). Cross-cultural research on psychotherapy: The need for a change. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 50(1), 100-115.
Pilecki, B., Luoma, J. B., Bathje, G. J., Rhea, J., & Narloch, V. F. (2021). Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy. Harm Reduction Journal, 18(1), 1–14.
Stoll, J., Müller, J. A., & Trachsel, M. (2020). Ethical issues in online psychotherapy: A narrative review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 993.
Critical Analysis Essay On Death Of A Salesman Essay Example
Arthur Miller’s 1949 play, Death of a Salesman, portrays a family’s financial difficulties. Arthur Miller considered this work as one of his most outstanding achievements. The play is often considered timeless due to its relevance to contemporary issues. Following the conclusion of World War II, the Loman family is compelled to confront a range of adversities. The paternal character of Willy Loman harbors aspirations of attaining renown and wealth and solicits the assistance of his firstborn offspring, Biff, to aid him in realizing this objective. Despite facing the harsh realities of life, Willy’s unwavering determination to achieve success remains unchanged, even though he is aware that attaining the “American dream” is beyond his reach. Biff believes that his father’s preoccupation with misguided aspirations has led to his harboring of inappropriate dreams, as he asserts that “he had the wrong dreams.” According to Miller (111), “All, all wrong” is incorrect. Multiple factors contribute to the manifestation of Willy’s ego and id in his sales profession. The psychological and contextual lenses highlight the modest but significant acts of resilience that Biff and Willy displayed in the face of complex social circumstances and their increased self-awareness during this time in history. Arthur Miller employs the American Dream as a metaphor to illustrate the socio-economic dangers of excessively prioritizing one’s aspirations, as Willy exemplifies, and the resultant impact on familial relationships, particularly with his spouse, Linda. She exhibits supportive behavior from a gendered perspective as a spouse.
According to Ackerman, Sigmund Freud, a prominent psychoanalyst, proposed a well-known theory that classifies personality into three distinct types: the id, the ego, and the Superego. Upon analyzing Death of a Salesman, it becomes apparent that the work is heavily concerned with themes of sexual and aggressive impulses and memories and recollections. Willy’s ability to disregard the reality of his financial and social situation can be attributed to the interplay between his id and ego. Willy exhibits various characteristics of narcissism, such as a feeling of entitlement and a lack of capacity to handle criticism. An individual who possesses an overemphasized id may demonstrate an abundance of aggression, despite the benevolent intentions of those in their vicinity. This particular line serves as a prime example of Willy’s aggressive behavior. What is the basis of your perceived superiority over others? According to Miller (2019), the cited information can be found on page 68. Charley, the neighbor of Willy, engages in a conversation with Willy regarding his recent experience of unemployment. The scenes presented in the work showcase numerous recollections from Willy’s history, exemplifying his coping mechanisms in the face of perceived inadequacy.
When encountering an accomplished individual, his id and ego dominate Willy’s cognitive processes. He is aware of Charley’s accomplishments and often draws comparisons to his achievements. Willy endeavors to surpass Charley, positing that his charm and amiable disposition will facilitate his triumph. William believes he possesses all the essential skills and attributes for a prosperous sales career. The compulsion to uphold a successful business persona and refrain from acknowledging professional defeat was evident in Willy’s behavior. According to Miller (21), one of the fundamental beliefs held by Willy Wonka is that being well-liked is a critical factor in achieving contentment and satisfaction in life. The individual’s excessive self-regard hinders his ability to recognize his shortcomings, and his reluctance to accept assistance from others is due to his stubbornness. The character of Willy exemplifies the theories of Freud’s ego and id and illustrates his ability to manage his professional setbacks through this framework.
His id and ego propel Willy’s pursuit of success. At the same time, his eldest son, Biff, can liberate himself from the constraints of his ego and the aspirations imposed upon him by his father. The conclusion of the play involves Biff’s recognition of the need to assume control over his fate and strive towards a distinct set of feasible objectives. As per the theories of Freud, a renowned psychoanalyst, the development of an individual’s Superego is believed to occur at approximately five years of age (Ackerman). The Superego’s moral standards are intrinsically connected to an individual’s ego and significantly impact their conduct, thereby rendering them indispensable. The Superego is a psychoanalytic construct that serves as an internalized moral compass, guiding individuals in distinguishing between right and wrong—Willy’s shortcomings and aspirations for achievement influence Biff’s mindset and aspirations. Biff’s self-concept and unconscious impulses are influenced by his exemplar, Willy, who exhibits a similar disposition. Due to his significant ego, it is difficult not to hold a favorable opinion of him. Biff shows a tendency towards irrational behavior and a lack of consideration for the potential outcomes of his actions. Biff’s behavior is driven by a facet of his id that strives for instant gratification to evade discomfort. During Biff’s formative years, his id and Superego compel him to take actions without regard for their ethical implications. One of the most noteworthy instances is when Biff commits theft and demonstrates a tendency toward prostitution. His father’s support frequently reinforces Biff’s perception of invincibility.
William’s tendency to downplay the severity of Biff’s transgressions poses a notable obstacle to the maturation of Biff’s Superego. Rather than admonishing Biff for appropriating his school’s football, his father acquiesces, stating, “Certainly, he must engage in training with an officially sanctioned ball, must he not?” As Miller’s work (18) depicts, Biff presents the purloined object to his father. Biff can mitigate the adverse effects of his Superego and id by critically reflecting and questioning the underlying values that drive his behavior. As his understanding of business and capitalism deepens, he realizes that these domains need to be aligned with his aspirations and that attaining success within them is unlikely to be within his reach. Biff’s deficiency in self-assurance compels him to suppress his ego and enhance his salesmanship skills. Biff articulates to Happy the arduous nature of emulating his paternal figure, underscoring the difficulty of such a task. The issue is that we should have been raised with the mindset of solely pursuing financial gain. The individual expressed uncertainty regarding the task at hand with the statement, “I don’t know how to do it,” as reported by Miller (18). Biff’s self-commitment made during his father’s funeral serves as a contributing factor to his resilience. To arrive at sound judgments, he must surmount his former self from childhood, thereby leading to the development of a moral compass. The character of Biff exhibits remarkable resilience compared to the other male members of the Loman family, as he successfully overcomes his ego and previously held beliefs. Consequently, the play portrays his endeavor to establish a novel direction in his life.
Arthur Miller’s seminal American tragedy, Death of a Salesman, is widely acclaimed as a masterpiece. Miller’s play was influenced by the post-war New York milieu, which allowed him to observe how families dealt with the bereavement of their dear ones. The emotions and experiences of these families were integrated into the characters of the play. The 1949 drama portrays Willy and Biff Loman as remarkably resilient individuals who are able to withstand the social pressures of their time. The theatrical production transpired in the year 1949, a mere four years subsequent to the conclusion of the Second World War and two decades next to the occurrence of the Great Depression. These two events caused a significant economic shift, leading to rising unemployment rates surpassing pre-event levels. As industrialization advanced, the financial responsibilities placed on fathers escalated. Numerous men experienced considerable pressure to maintain economic competitiveness and provide for their families, among other factors. The Loman family seemingly represents a conventional American household striving to attain the elusive “American dream.”
In his capacity as the primary provider for his household, William Loman relies on societal demands to facilitate the attainment of his objectives. Despite Willy’s tendency to attribute his misfortunes to external factors, he remains resolute in achieving prosperity. The individual asserts that the population is experiencing an uncontrollable increase. The level of competition is highly intense and challenging. According to Miller (7),… According to Willy’s perspective, attaining the American dream necessitates one’s fame and amiability to prosper. Biff’s proclivity for entrepreneurship is instilled in him at a young age through the influence of his father’s principles. As customary for a son, Biff aspires to emulate his father’s path. According to the speaker, Bernard may excel academically, but his success in the professional world may not be as significant as that of others. Miller (2018) reported this information. This excerpt demonstrates Willy’s conviction in the potential of himself and his offspring to achieve the desired level of prosperity. If the objective above cannot be attained within the designated timeframe, Willy will persist in motivating Biff and guiding him toward societal expectations. The adversities during the 1940s catalyzed their unwavering determination to achieve their aspirations.
According to Linda, Willy cannot be considered the most exemplary character since he is a fallible human. This statement is cited from Miller’s work and can be found on page 40. A distinguishing characteristic of this theatrical production is its adept portrayal of the familial predicament. Willy and his family encounter tribulations relevant to contemporary society, akin to those experienced by typical families during the 1940s. The Loman family’s ability to withstand postwar social pressures, Willy’s sense of self-esteem, and Biff’s growth in developing a superego and self-awareness demonstrate resilience in psychological and contextual factors.
Ultimately, Death of a Salesman can be classified as a tragedy. Willy espoused a firm conviction in the concept of the American Dream and dedicated all his resources to attaining his life objectives. After experiencing a lack of success in this endeavor, he perceived himself as unsuccessful in his peers’ eyes. The individual experienced a sense of assurance that he was effectively fulfilling his responsibilities of providing and nurturing his household. Consequently, he experienced a period of profound despair and resorted to committing suicide. The individual decided to commit suicide and desired the twenty thousand dollars in life insurance benefits allocated to their beloved family members. Besides fulfilling her role as a dedicated and empathetic mother and spouse, Linda ought to have possessed a dependable source of income to provide for Willy and potentially alleviate some of his monetary pressures. Nonetheless, contemporary perspectives may differ from those prevalent during the era in which the play was authored.
Works Cited
Ackerman, Courtney E. “Psychoanalysis: A brief history of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory.” Positive psychology. Com (2018). Retrieved from: www.positivepsychology.com/psychoanalysis.
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman: Revised Edition. Penguin, 1996.
Cultural Studies: Global Oneness Video Critique Essay Writing Sample
In the modern world, socio-culture has become more connected internationally. People have become interconnected and more interdependent globally, and the change is examinable in the social sphere. Based on the film, it is examined that there are humanistic social forms and customary beliefs that have been integrated with people and have caused diversions in the life is being handled. With people sharing the social place, which is the world, some cultures are considered popular and widespread in the respective populations across all continents. Therefore every specific social environment across the world is based explicitly on language. There are many languages, and no one can attest that their language was the first on earth; hence “more popular” in modern culture is detrimental to all cultures (https://www.globalonenessproject.org/). There is a humanistic need to realize that there is a deep and inherent intelligence that affects our lives and how we handle issues because culture is very influential as the beliefs and social forms are guiding principles, especially when it comes to personal lifestyles and social interactions (https://www.globalonenessproject.org/).
For example, there are spheres of the world where Spanish is dominant, while others speak French; even in Africa, a majority of the people in Europe speak English, and there is Swahili which is dominant in East Africa. What is more interesting is that most countries worldwide have their native languages. Additionally, land for settlement is an essential factor for people to have cultural identities, and the beliefs make people have a past due to their ancestors and a future as there is generational continuity (https://www.globalonenessproject.org/). Culture is a phenomenon significantly tied to the environment, and the continuous degradation of forests and natural habitats is one of the fundamental reasons cultural identity has been degraded, especially in Africa and South America. There are cultural societies that exist best while in nature and not in cities and polluted urban centers. For instance, global climate change has caused every culture to be vulnerable as catastrophes such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods are more prevalent than in the past (https://www.globalonenessproject.org/). The Native Red Indians of the United States of America have their land degraded as major companies exploit the resources found in their territories, affecting their cultural ties and beliefs because their land has ancestral connections.
The aspect of culture is also determined to have spiritual ties hence the need to have a soul search in ourselves so that greed cannot surpass our cultural identities and subject all people in the world to popular culture. Older adults were their subsequent generations to learn and speak their native languages and not conform to the dominant use of English, as languages are the most relevant form of cultural identity. We all live in a world with different and many ways of knowing; hence there is no cultural need to have a unified system that makes people abandon their cultural identities. Culture is a non-verbal narrative that guides and nourishes people in their daily social lives because, in the world, there are families as the basic unit, communities, societies, and jurisdictional territories which orient and characterize people (https://www.globalonenessproject.org/). It is essential to ensure that everyone has a place to call home because it is the first significant factor of cultural identity. Some people identify as Mexicans, Chinese, Egyptians, and Britons; because they have a social identity.
On the contrary, refugees do not have identities or a reason why they feel and are homeless and live at the mercy of dominant states who may even refuse to host them because of cultural differences (Falola., 2023). For instance, thousands of Haitians try to escape their turmoil by going to the Southern part of the United States, especially Miami, via the Atlantic Ocean; some are refused, giving them nowhere to go. As humans, we ought to respect all cultures and languages and ensure every human has a place to call home.
References:
Globalonenessproject.org (nd). https://www.globalonenessproject.org/
Falola, T. (2023). Memories of Africa: Home and Abroad in the United States. Univ. Press of Mississippi.