The counselor as a human being: A personal perspective

The purpose of this paper is to elicit careful consideration regarding life-experience and personal mental health on the part of counselors and counselors-in-training. Counselors-in-training can gain much insight by considering their motivation for entering this profession. They need to assess their ability to enter the counseling relationship with a priority on the client’s empowerment, and not personal fulfillment. Careful consideration must be given to the client as a multicultural being, requiring the counselor to have an awareness and willingness to invest themselves in their client’s experience. Counselors-in-training should strive for personal mental wellness and an ongoing pursuit of emotional expansion