1. Portrait of the “Ideal Helper”
Is a Helping Profession One for Me?

2. It’s good to imagine the ideal helper, but most helpers don’t meet all the characteristics
It would be frustrating to try to be the “ideal helper”
You can, however, improve existing skills and learn new ones
Here’s what an “ideal helper” might look like

3. The “Ideal helper”
You honestly assess your own strengths and weaknesses
You recognize that who you are as a person is your most valuable tool
You have an openness to learning.

4. The “Ideal helper”
You realize what you do not know, and are willing to fill these gaps
You have the interpersonal skills needed to establish good contact with other people, and you can apply these skills in a helping relationship
You genuinely care for people you help, and this caring is expressed by doing what is in their best interest – not your best interest

5. The “Ideal helper”
You realize that change is very hard work and you will stay with clients through the process
You see that clients often limit themselves and you are able to challenge clients to dream and take steps to fulfill their dreams
You know you cannot ask of clients what you cannot ask of yourself

6. The “Ideal helper”
You are willing to draw on a number of resources to enable clients to accomplish goals
When working with clients with cultural backgrounds different from yours, you show your respect for them by not stereotyping
You take care of yourself physically, mentally, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. You do in your own life what you ask for your clients. If you are confronted with problems – you deal with them.

7. The “Ideal helper”
You question life and self-examine your beliefs and values in a critical way.
Your philosophy of life is your own creation – not one imposed on you
You have established meaningful relationships with at least a few significant people
Although you have a healthy sense of self-love and pride, you are not self absorbed

8. Conclusion
This is not to overwhelm you, but to give you an idea of characteristics worth thinking about
You are encouraged to use what you learn in this course for honest self-reflection
Journal Entry 1
What does it mean to be a helper?