Journal: Impacts of Becoming a Mental Health Couns

Week 2 Assignment

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Journal: Impacts of Becoming a Mental Health Counselor  

As you begin this graduate program, you may think about how getting your degree and becoming a mental health counselor may positively impact your personal and professional life in the future, such as getting a new job or an increase in pay.

Some students discover during the program that, as they conduct research and examine the lives of others in detail, they begin to apply that same critical eye to their own lives. This new knowledge and view of the world may have unanticipated consequences for some students, such as deciding to end a long-standing personal relationship or to make some other substantial life change.

While you may not be able to predict all of the ways in which your journey to becoming a mental health counselor may change your life, this Assignment gives you space to consider the potential impacts becoming a mental health counselor may have on you as you begin this program as well as on different aspects of your future.

Due to the somewhat abstract topic of this Assignment, you are asked to present your thoughts as a reflective journal entry. Regular reflection through journaling is a common practice for counselors, and the American Counseling Association (2010) considers journaling to be a cognitive wellness strategy. Note that this Assignment is assessed according to the criteria in the Assignment and Final Project Rubric with the exception of APA format. Journals are intended to be informal; APA format is not expected in journal assignments.

To prepare for this journal:

    Review the Learning Resources, including the “Final Project Overview” document.
    Think about the positive impacts of entering the field of mental health counseling and starting this degree program.
    Consider how getting your degree and becoming a counselor may impact you and your loved ones, your career, and your larger community in the future.

The journal entry (1-2 pages)

    Explain the potential impacts your experiences in this program and becoming a mental health counselor may have on your personal and professional life.
    In your explanation, identify the one main positive thing you hope to get out of this experience.

Due Day 7.