This course has involved a huge workload and has been the most time consuming of them all.However, this course has been very beneficial to me. I have developed a deeper understanding of the educational theories, including questioning, observation, interview structureand integration of skills. The semester has been busy, and I was requiredto undertake an active approach towards the lectures and the practical’s.

During my admission to the program, I wrote down a personal goal statement. In this reflective account, I would like to expand on the three major goals that I wrote down, which ignited my enthusiasm to start the course. Additionally, I reflect on how I achieved the goals.

Myfirst goal was to acquire new knowledge and skills. I wanted to gain proficiency in focusing and empathetic confrontation. Acquiring these skills and knowledge was important for me before I set forth to achieve any other goal.It was to set the basis of achieving the other goals. The Education Theory course covered many of the basics, introducing me to new counselling skills and knowledge (Studer, &Diambra, 2010). With the unwavering support of my instructor and the practice,I gained skills, both as a counselor and client. I sharpened my skills in intentional interviewing, psychotherapy and summarizing (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2014).

I have spent a considerable amount of time to figure myself out. The course increased my self-awareness. I have learnt about myself,and, in particular, the interpersonal skills required for one to make a good counselor. I am now aware that a counselor should have patience, be a good listener, have compassion and be non-judgmental (The professional counselor, 2014). These traits and skills are important for me, and I learnt that I possessed them at varying degrees. For example,in the past, some people who need to discuss an issue several times for them to grasp, or make a move irritated me. After going through the course, I now realize that, as a counselor, I have to be patient with such people. This quality comes in handy when one experiences some clients who have to process slowly or might require that  informationbe constantly repeated to them (Ivey et al., 2014).

My second goal concerned how to increase the integration of the various skills and the knowledge that I learnt. The integration involveda basic understanding of the counselling skills and ethical understanding through practical’s,both as a client and as a counselor. It involved meshing the micro approach and observation skills of the foundations of counselling with the reflective and active listening of the basic listening sequence(Ivey et al., 2014). In addition, the stress management and critical thinkingelements are interpersonal, influencing skills that were well integrated with other skills such as relapse-prevention and treatment planning.

My third goal was to continue with the lifelong journey of learning. I chose this program, not only because of professional interests, but also personal interests. Themaster’s course in educational theories has fulfilled the idea, which is behind the term “lifelong learning experience.”The experience has re-ignited my zeal to seek knowledge continuously.

In conclusion, a valuable learning course equips the students withskills and knowledge to learn for themselves, both formally and informally. Undertaking this course has enabled me to understandmy abilities, and, as a result, boost my confidence levels in applying counselling skills to help clients develop.

References

Ivey, A., Ivey,B., & Zalaquett, P. (2014).Intentional interviewing and counseling:                          facilitating client development in a multicultural society (8thEd.). Belmont, CA:                      Brooks/Cole

Studer, J., & Diambra, J. (2010). A guide to practicum and internship in school counselor                          trainees.New York: Routledge Publishing Company

The professional counselor. (2014). Retrieved July 23, 2014 from http://tpcjournal.nbcc.org

Need assistance with this?