HN 430 Advocacy for Families & Youth Unit 9 Seminar

Announcements Our last seminar – no seminar for Unit 10 No graded assignments in Unit 10 Final reflections in the discussion board are encouraged and appreciated Unit 9 Final Project due by midnight on Tuesday, February 14 No assignments past February 18 Class ends February 21

Final Project Reminders NOT the same format as previous projects Choose a NEW hypothetical client – Don’t use a scenario from this class or another Kaplan class – Make sure the case falls within one of the specified advocacy areas in the project description The entire paper must be presented in essay format with good grammar, sentence structure, etc. In other words – NO FORMS!!

LET ME STRES AGAIN… Do NOT turn in pages and pages of any form from any class or any other resource. Use the form to collect data or to guide you on what is most important, but present the information in the assignment in paragraph form. I will not read information in forms and therefore will consider it not included and you will not get any points.

Final Project Reminders PLEASE get it turned in on time See syllabus for late policy for final projects Read the project description carefully Read the grading rubric carefully SYNTHESIZE AND APPLY what you have learned throughout the course Make sure you are very detailed and specific Use adequate support

Final Project Reminders Incorporate as many concepts from throughout the course as possible Use the Kaplan Library or other academic resources (NO WIKIPEDIA) Use at least 3 resources – at least one from the library (not all websites) Points will be deducted if your APA formatting is not accurate. Refer to Unit 8 seminar for more details

Chapter 8 of text Additional Reading in Doc Sharing Unit 9

Characteristics of the Effective Human Service Professional/Advocate 1. Relationship Building 2. Empathy 3. Genuineness 4. Acceptance 5. Open-Mindedness 6. Cognitive Complexity 7. Psychological Adjustment 8. Competence

Relationship Building May be most important factor in creating client change Exists throughout counseling relationship All counselors must deal with it on some level, regardless of theoretical orientation Establish rapport, build trust, foster the relationship throughout Multicultural competencies

Empathy One of the most important characteristics To understand the inner world of the client “Getting into the shoes” of another Sensing the private world of another To show empathy is to identify with another's feelings. It is to emotionally put yourself in the place of another. The ability to empathize is directly dependent on your ability to feel your own feelings and identify them.

Genuineness Also called “congruence”; Being transparent Feelings, thoughts, and actions are “in sync” Refers to willingness of the therapist to be authentic, open, and honest within the helping relationship at the right time The more the therapist is himself or herself in the relationship, putting up no professional front or personal facade, the greater is the likelihood that the client will change and grow in a constructive manner.

Acceptance Unconditional positive regard is being able to accept clients “without strings attached.” Professional listens in a non-judgmental warm way to the client. There are no conditions put upon the relationship. Doesn’t mean you like everything a person does, but you accept the person through deep understanding

Open-Mindedness Allowing others to express their points of view Not trying to convince the client of a certain point of view Being open to feedback Not imposing your own personal biases

Cognitive Complexity Understanding world and people in complex ways – view individuals individually and systemically – understand knowledge is not fixed – receive feedback, and see different points of view – are good with empathy – are more self-aware – are able to see client’s predicament from multiple perspectives – Multicultural competencies

Psychological Adjustment Between 64% and 84% of helpers have been in counseling Counseling and Therapy: – Prevents countertransference – Fosters insight – Helps one see what it’s like being a client – Good role model experience – Assures one is providing unimpaired services

Competence Counselor expertise shown to be a crucial element for client success in counseling Perceived competence chosen by helpers as most important factor in picking a therapist These individuals have a “thirst for knowledge” Protects you ethically and legally if you are competent Lifelong process Education, colleagues, experience, conferences, reading, researching, exploring, etc. Professional Organizations

Purpose of Professional Associations in the Human Services and Related Field Provide a Political Base Offer Conferences and Workshops Publish Newsletters and Journals Provide a Process That Encourages Networking and Mentoring Offer Grants for Special Projects Related to the Field Provides lots of information about careers including job postings, salaries, outlook, etc.

The Associations NOHS: National Organization of Human Services NASW: National Association of Social Workers ACA: American Counseling Association APA: American Psychological Association American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists APNA: American Psychiatric Nurses Association Others by specializations Lower memberships for students