Presentations and Projects

As I progress in my counselor training, I have realized that building self awareness is a core part of my professional development. I am learning to notice how my own perspectives, values, and beliefs can shape the counseling dynamic, and I have come to understand the need to set those aside in order to provide clients with an environment that feels open, accepting, and free of judgment. Through supervision and ongoing reflection, I have become more attentive to my automatic reactions and underlying biases, which has helped me respond in ways that align with ethical practice and cultural sensitivity. Even with this growth, I know that cultivating self awareness will always be an ongoing journey. I am committed to continuing to explore how identity, culture, and power show up in the counseling process so that I can stay grounded in a client focused approach and work to minimize the risk of harm.

CACREP Common Core Area Standards
This artifact connects to the following CACREP standards:

• 2.F.5.f. Personal qualities and counselor behaviors that shape and affect the counseling process.

• 2.F.5.g. Core skills in interviewing, counseling, and developing case conceptualizations.

ACA Code of Ethics Standards

• B.1.a. Multicultural and Diversity Considerations. Counselors remain attentive and respectful toward cultural perspectives on confidentiality and privacy. They honor differences in how clients view the sharing of information and engage in ongoing dialogue with clients about when, how, and with whom personal details may be disclosed.

• C.2.a. Boundaries of Competence. Counselors provide services only in areas where they have the proper education, training, supervised practice, and professional credentials. Because cultural competence is essential in all counseling specialties, counselors are expected to grow in knowledge, awareness, sensitivity, and skills that support effective work with diverse client populations.

My training has shown me that valuing cultural diversity is not only important, it is essential for ethical and effective counseling. I have been intentional about building awareness of the ways that culture, identity, and personal history shape each client’s experience, and I work to meet every client with curiosity, respect, and openness. Through coursework, supervision, and client interactions, I have grown more conscious of my own cultural perspectives and how they may surface within the counseling relationship. My goal is to create an environment where clients feel fully seen and affirmed in every part of their identity. Although I have made progress in becoming more culturally responsive, I know that this is a lifelong process. I am dedicated to expanding my understanding of diverse backgrounds and continuing to examine and challenge my own biases so I can offer care that is both inclusive and equitable.

CACREP Common Core Area Standards
This artifact aligns with the following CACREP standards:

• 2.F.2.a. Understanding multicultural and pluralistic characteristics within and among diverse groups at both national and international levels.

• 2.F.2.b. Knowledge of theories and frameworks related to multicultural counseling, cultural identity development, and social justice advocacy.

• 2.F.2.c. Development of multicultural counseling competencies.

• 2.F.2.d. Awareness of how heritage, beliefs, attitudes, and acculturative experiences influence an individual’s perceptions of others.

• 2.F.2.g. Understanding the role of spiritual beliefs in shaping both clients’ and counselors’ worldviews.

• 2.F.2.h. Strategies for recognizing and addressing barriers, biases, and forms of both intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination.

• Multicultural Issues/Diversity in Assessment. Counselors thoughtfully select and apply assessment tools, being mindful when tests were normed on populations different from the client. They consider how factors such as age, race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, spirituality, and socioeconomic status may influence both the administration and interpretation of assessments, placing results in context with other relevant client information.

ACA Code of Ethics Standards

• A.4.b. Personal Values. Counselors remain aware of their own beliefs, attitudes, and values and take care not to impose them on clients. They respect client diversity and seek additional training in areas where personal values could conflict with client goals or risk biasing the counseling process.

• A.11.b. Values Within Termination and Referral. Counselors avoid referring clients based solely on the counselor’s personal values, beliefs, or attitudes. They honor client diversity and pursue training to prevent personal values from interfering with client care, particularly when counselor beliefs conflict with client goals or could be discriminatory.

As a counselor-in-training, I’ve come to understand that authenticity is at the heart of developing meaningful and trusting relationships with clients. To be authentic is to bring my true self into the room while still honoring professional boundaries and fostering an environment where clients feel comfortable doing the same. In practice, I aim to remain attentive, open, and sincere in ways that are both compassionate and supportive. Through both supervision and direct client work, I’ve observed how authenticity deepens the therapeutic relationship. Clients are often more engaged when they sense that I’m not only applying techniques but also connecting with them on a human level. At the same time, I’ve realized that authenticity requires ongoing self-reflection recognizing when my own feelings or reactions need to be set aside so the focus stays on the client. I’m continuing to refine this balance between being genuine and maintaining clinical intentionality, and I’m committed to strengthening my capacity to build connections that are both honest and ethically grounded. 

CACREP Common Core Area Standards

• 2.F.1.b – Professional roles and functions of counselors, including collaboration and consultation.

• 2.F.5.a – Theories and models of counseling.

• 2.F.5.f – Counselor characteristics and behaviors that influence the counseling process.

• 2.F.5.g – Essential interviewing, counseling, and case conceptualization skills.

• 5.C.2.a – Roles and settings of clinical mental health counselors.

• 5.C.2.k – Professional organizations, preparation standards, and credentials in clinical mental health counseling.

• 5.C.3.d – Strategies for collaboration with behavioral health professionals.

• 5.C.3.e – Advocacy strategies for individuals with mental health concerns.

ACA Code of Ethics Standards

• A.1.a. Primary Responsibility – Counselors respect the dignity and promote the welfare of clients.

• A.4.b. Personal Values – Counselors avoid imposing their values and honor the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants.

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in my training is that counseling rarely follows a rigid script, and that adaptability is a core professional skill. Whether it involves shifting the focus of a session to address a client’s immediate concerns, navigating new documentation or assessment systems, or receiving feedback that challenges my assumptions, flexibility has been central to my growth. Over time, I have become more comfortable adjusting in the moment, letting go of fixed expectations, and approaching uncertainty with curiosity rather than control. Flexibility also extends to welcoming perspectives that differ from my own and modeling for clients that I am willing to meet them where they are even when that requires moving outside my own comfort zone. I continue to develop this competency by pursuing diverse clinical experiences, engaging in reflection and supervision, and reminding myself that flexibility is not about having every answer but about remaining responsive, open, and fully present. By maintaining this stance, I aim to provide ethical, culturally relevant, and client-centered care.

CACREP Common Core Area Standards

• 2.F.7.i – Use of assessments relevant to academic, career, personal, and social development.

• 2.F.7.m – Ethical and culturally relevant strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessments.

ACA Code of Ethics Standards

• C.7.b. Development and Innovation – Counselors explain the risks, benefits, and ethical considerations of innovative or developing techniques, and minimize potential harm.

• C.2.f. Continuing Education – Counselors maintain competence through ongoing education, remain informed about current practices, and stay open to new approaches for serving diverse populations.