ACA MEMBER BLOGS

Vision boards. For some of us they conjure up images of school project style collages while for others they might suggest Pinterest boards of recipes and renovations. But what exactly is a vision board and what’s its primary purpose?

It’s no secret that much of our society today thrives on convenience and instant gratification. From unlimited drive-thru services to same-day shipping, and from on-demand movie streaming to Instacart groceries, we have the ability to access just about anything we want or need within a matter of moments.

Decision fatigue is not a new thing. But it feels like it’s been on the rise for years. As society has become increasingly busy and inundated with tasks and obligations, we’ve started carrying more on our plates today than ever before.

Sure, counselors and therapists out there have always provided support, worked to raise awareness and advocated for mental health long before the pandemic. But this past year or so has been unique and mental health advocates and professionals have stepped up in big ways that could not have been anticipated.

Most of us at one point or another have faced challenges. If we were to be perfectly honest with one another and ourselves (who just happens to sometimes be the hardest person to be authentic with), we would admit that we have been through some type of trauma.

Life over the past year has looked quite different than years of previous. It is important to focus on how we have survived through this unprecedented time and highlight the strength and patience that you (yes, you reader!) have exhibited over the past year.

ACA has called upon its members to confront our own biases, stereotypes, and racial worldview. Moreover, we should work toward challenging and dismantling systemic and pervasive racism.

All too often we find ourselves paralyzed by the ideal of perfection. Trapped at a standstill, unable to move in a direction, and unsure of ourselves, most individuals tend to fear making a decision over the potentiality of relief upon its execution.

In school, we are taught that there are a few different places we can work as mental health and wellness professionals: community agencies, hospitals, and private practice. While in school, we don’t understand the full inner workings of all these settings; after we graduate, we don’t always figure out much more. We graduate, get a job and the bulk of us forget that we have other options out there.

As a Counselor Educator, I encounter many of my master’s level students struggling with understanding the importance of professional identity within our field. Students often do not understand why counseling professional identity is emphasized in introductory courses. But with some guidance, I hope that you can begin to understand the importance of a counseling professional identity.