| Thoughts From A Successful Counselor |
| Written by Val Warner | |
| Monday, 07 August 2006 | |
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When I graduated with my master's degree and found my first job in an Ottawa psychiatric clinic, I admit I was terrified. I was part of a "team" that consisted of a psychiatrist, family physician, psychologist and a nurse.
It was bad enough that I felt intimidated by the experience, age and expertise surrounding me, but what made it worse was that I was convinced that every term bandied about-psychotic, neurotic, paranoid, inadequate, etc., etc.-referred to me, too!
The longing to be liked and understood for who we were underneath, with our imperfections and frailties. In fact, this is the very essence of counseling-helping people to like themselves with their own unique flaws. Only then can we be more accepting of others and their idiosyncrasies. Good counselors see themselves as equal, not superior, to those who come to them for guidance. In my own case, it wasn't until I had counseling myself, provided by our clinic director, Dr. Erwin Koranyi, that I started making headway in the area of self acceptance. Unless we face, and overcome, similar struggles it is hard to help others in difficulty.Parenting provided an amazing learning experience. Until I had my first child I thought it would "come naturally." My first hour home with my brand new daughter convinced me it wasn't going to be so easy, and by the time she was two years old I was desperately in need of a good parenting course. Not only did I enroll in one, I went on to teach the course in the following years, giving validity to the old expression "you teach what you want to learn." I laugh (and shudder) at some of the advice I gave to parents before I had kids of my own and found out that parenthood is the best, and definitely the hardest, job in the whole world Historically our society has preached independence and self-reliance when it comes to family problems, however, we can all benefit at times from the help of others. Dentists need dental work themselves just like everyone else, but the right one can still fix your teeth. The same holds true for counselors. Good ones are honest and will admit they never have their lives under perfect control. No one does. But a counselor may, through his/her own personal growth and professional development, be able to help you find more fulfillment in your life by sharing some of their insights. Val Warner, MSW RSW, has her own private practice called Walk Talk Counseling For Women. She has taught parenting courses and can be reached at 284-1999 in Calgary. |
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