...When I was a child, I had to wear cultural clothing for an event at my local Hindu temple. As I was putting the clothes on, I was very worried that others would judge me for embracing my religion in public. My mother noticed my anxiousness and reassured me that people in the community accept people for who they are and that nothing would happen. I nodded in agreement, hopeful that the day will be good while wearing traditional Indian clothing. Going to the temple, all was fine, since no one had commented on what I was wearing. However, on our way back from the cultural event, things were different. We had stopped by a grocery store and that is where I became exposed to the lack of tolerance in people. As my family and I walked in, people stopped...
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...Do you listen and respond in ways that a significant person in your life would perceive as empathic? I would define empathy by the words of Rogers (1975), one of the most influential American psychologists in the exploration of empathy, that it means” entering the private perceptual world of the other and becoming thoroughly at home in it” (“Empathic: An Unappreciated Way of Being,” para. 17). In my mind, in this short definition there is everything what empathy consists of. To be attentive and delicate without making judgments or expectations, to be respectful and willing to center other person’s feelings and emotions, and to put aside our own needs and concerns for a while. The listener lets the speaker know, "I understand your problem and how you are feeling about it and I am interested in what you are saying and I am not judging you." When dealing with a person who is feeling troubled empathic listening and supporting response become the most important and powerful strategies to apply. As Adler, Rodman and Sevigny (2011) say that ” in empathic listening… the goal is to build a relationship or help the speaker solve a problem… to become better acquainted with others and show them that their opinions and feelings matter to you” (p. 152). From my point of view, neither advising response nor judging response is appropriate in such sort of situations. Furthermore, they more likely make the situation worse and make a person to feel more...
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...Professional Ethics Statement Hanaa Juma Concordia University- Portland Abstract This ethical statement offers a scholarly and professional analysis of ethical matters that often confront professionals in the educational field. In addition to exploring the foundation of my ethical principles, this paper explores the interdependent relationships of the mind, body, and soul in shaping the whole ethical being and the influence of theories such as Utilitarianism upon my values. The ethics portrayed in my professional life as an educator have the power to impact my students and colleagues immensely. It is therefore imperative to implement a systematic, in-depth analysis of my ethical beliefs, thoughts, and conduct. The professional obligations of the educator require the educator to inspire students and guide them to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to discover “what is excellent and true” (Markie, 1994). This professional ethics statement affirms the role of the mind, body, soul, and community in ethics as well as the responsibility of educators to purposefully and consistently strive for portraying their ethical best in professional relationships and conduct. Keywords: ethics, utilitarianism, education, mind, body, soul Ethical Foundation Among the many facets that comprise the total human experience, ethical frameworks mold and shape the character and the conduct of each individual within both their personal and professional lives. Although there is a plethora of ethical...
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...Empathy is not the same as sympathy. Empathy is a way to experience an emotionally or painful situation together, helping the client to feel less alone and understood. Sympathy is a feeling sorry for a person or client’s situation. Empathy can help a person move beyond feelings of negativity and hopelessness about a situation so that they can start to focus on moving through the situation. Even though empathy can lead to too much self-disclosure, it is crucial for nurses to apply empathy towards fearful cancer patients because a better therapeutic relationship is created and the patients feel more at ease. Literature Review Arnold and Boggs define empathy as the ability to be sensitive to and communicate understanding of the client’s feelings (2011). Empathy is to understand what it is like to “walk in someone else’s shoes” or to know what it is like to understand how that person feels by going through a similar experience (Kirk, 2007). Brunero, Lamont and Coates states that empathy is the ability to understand the meaning and feelings of a person and communicate those feelings back to that person (2010). Empathy is a relationship that allows open and honest discussion about one’s feelings (Haraldsdottir, 2007). A nurse is able to show empathy by a number of ways. You can display empathy by explaining a medical procedure or test in non-medical terms so the client can understand and feel in control of...
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...The Wellbeing of Counseling Professionals Mariah Shields Bolf Liberty University Abstract The of this intention paper is to help shed light on the issues that can affect a counselor’s wellbeing and impair their ability to counsel clients. When dealing with clients who have experienced sever traumatic life experiences counseling professionals can begin to face emotional issues of their own. Understanding and recognizing how this happens, why it happens and ways to effectively combat it when it does are an important aspect of being a professional counselor. The Wellbeing of Counseling Professionals Pray, eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep, take time for yourself and talk to someone. Six common and well know key pieces to dealing with the daily struggles of life, they help control stress and reduce anxiety. But what if you are the one that people turn to when they need to talk, to share distressing life experiences and are seeking understanding and compassion. Caring for the needs of others can quickly over shadow the needs of caring for ones self, what are the consequences of this and how can we as counselors maintain healthy lives so that we may serve others to the best of our abilities. In order for a counselor to be effective in the help that they give to their clients they must offer a more vulnerable side of themselves during a session. This is extremely important in helping the client feel safe and allows them to see the counselor as someone...
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...Creation of Empathy in Flannery O’ Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find” Through the usage of dramatic irony and person vs society conflict in the short story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” Flannery O’ Connor is able to elicit empathy in her story, adding a captivating new level of interpretation. “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” is about a myopic and manipulative grandmother who struggles to live in the present, because her mind is stuck in the past. To the grandmother’s great discontent, she and her family went on a road trip to Florida. In one situation, the grandchildren, John Wesley and June Star, offended the grandmother by talking negatively about Georgia and Tennessee. “If I were a little boy...I wouldn’t talk about my native state...
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...Altruism and Pro Social Behavior Social Psychology Naomi Jackson Instructor Cheryl V. Browning Upper Iowa University ALTRUISM AND PRO SOCIAL BEHAVIOR One may ask what causes people to jeopardize their own health and well-being to help other people. What is it that inspires individuals to give their time, energy, and money to aid in the betterment of others, even when they receive nothing tangible in return? Altruism involves the unselfish concern for other people. It involves doing things simply out of a desire to help, not because you feel obligated to out of duty, loyalty, or religious. I’ve noticed that everyday life is filled with small acts of altruism, from the person who greets me going into Wal-Mart to the person who gives a generous donation to the march of dimes. Although news stories often focus on a greater scale of altruism, such as a person risking their life to save a child from a burning building that they don’t even know. To giving a generous donation to a local charity. Social Psychologists are interested in understanding why it occurs. Really, what does inspire these acts of kindness? What motivates people to risk their own lives to save a complete stranger? Altruism is one aspect of what Social Psychologists refer to Pro Social behavior. Pro Social behavior refers to any action that benefits other people, no matter what the motive or how the giver benefits from the action. While all altruistic acts are Pro Social...
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...also intuition, creativity, insight and focused attention.” Throughout the semester my definition of leadership has changed drastically. I know that listening to others viewpoint and having to reflect on my own beliefs has brought me to a new outlook on leadership. I understand and see leadership through a different lens now. Although leadership is a topic with many definitions, it remains a universal term that undergoes many changes due to its constantly evolving nature. Leadership is not just for CEO’s but is shown in how one parents a child or how a teacher leads a classroom or how a pastor preaches. Leadership is a universal term that now means that everything I do, I have the choice of being a leader at some level. Throughout this semester the assignments have been enlightening and continues to bring a deeper understanding about leadership. I see movies differently and read books with a changed perspective since taking Leadership classes. This semester the three assignments that were the most influential include the “time track assignment,” “vision paper,” and “ethical orientation quiz” assignments. The “time track” assignment really showed me just how much time I waste. This assignment did more than just bring to light my inefficiencies but also how I can manage my time more efficiently. I always believed that I could lead others because I have a strong sense of right and wrong. But as my favorite assignment, the “vision paper” demonstrated it takes more than knowing right...
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... 23rd November 2011 WHAT IMPACT HAS THE RELATIONAL APPROACH, AS DESCRIBED IN ‘BEYOND EMPATHY’ AND MEARNS AND COOPER’S ‘WORKING AT RELATIONAL DEPTH’, HAD ON YOUR CLIENT WORK. ILLUSTRATE YOUR ANSWER WITH REFERENCE TO A SINGLE SESSION WITH A CLIENT. Introduction This essay will be looking at the importance of relational depth and further more I will attempt to demonstrate my growing awareness of my relationship with my clients and how it has impacted on my client work. What is Relational depth? Relational Depth comes from the book entitled ‘Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy’ (2005), Dave Mearns and Mick Cooper. ‘Such an encounter can feel beyond language’ (p.xi). I feel it’s a very true statement. Words do not feel powerful enough; it feels the power is almost being dismissed. I do not think that Mearns and Cooper have developed anything new to the Person Centred Approach, I feel that Carl Rogers had already developed relational depth by using congruence, positive regard and empathy. (Rogers 1959) Often I have found working with Bereavement, I sit with my client’s pain and can get to relational depth quite quickly. My client sat and cried and looked at me with pain in her eyes. Her eyes said, “this feels unbearable, can you feel my pain?” Yes, I thought as I slowly nodded, yes I can and it hurts. The pain was within me, my chest and stomach felt tight, the room felt cold, even though it was summer. I watched as her tears...
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...3, 4, or 5 years old. In the classroom where I began my observation there were two teachers and nine children (we later moved to the playground). I felt that the preschool was a very safe environment for the children. The front yards of the school were completely fenced so no children can run off the property. It seemed to be a healthy place for the children to play both inside and out. The preschool is very spacious and it is across the parking lot from the elementary school it feeds into. Approaching the preschool you are greeted by large, blue letters, “PILGRIM LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL”. There is a gate in the middle of the fence with a handle so that only a certain height can reach. On either side of the path to enter the main building is a nice green lawn where the children can play with toys for outside. As the door is opened you hear an alarm beep which to me said this school is a safe place for these kids, the teachers are always aware when someone walks into the building. There is a spacious kitchen where the teachers prepare their snacks for their class. There are four classrooms for the four specific age groups. Each classroom was equipped with desks and chairs suitable for young children in preschool. There was an art table where there were coloring sheets, crayons, and markers for the children to draw and doodle pictures. Another corner was filled with costumes and props for children to play dress-up. The day of my observation there were doctor props where the children...
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...My greatest weakness in relation to counselling is sometimes having a tendency to give out advice too quickly due to an innate need to solve problems as fast as possible. Even though the sincerity to help exists, sometimes people might only desire a listening ear instead of suggested solutions to their problems. Other issues with this tendency of quick advice giving are that I may seem overly insistent, may make the client less comfortable with divulging further information or feel misunderstood overall. In terms of strengths, a strength of mine would be open-mindedness; I take in new concepts and ideas very easily and in a nonjudgmental manner. I fully believed in my mother telling me that we are all able to learn something from every person we meet and this notion has proven true for me all my life. The saying keeps me open to listening to what others have to say. In regards to counselling, although the counsellor is supposed to help the client, I believe that perhaps clients can sometimes teach the counsellor new things, as well. From these interactions, I have learnt to experience life with a worldview that while most people can...
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...Counselling has developed significantly since the 1950's . Carl Rogers, a pivotal player in the growth of counselling, developed an approach to counselling called "non-directive" (Barker, 2009 ) which is now known as client- centered counselling. Client-centered counselling involves three key concepts: empathy, genuineness and unconditional positive regard. Each play an important role in connecting with the client to help them achieve empowerment to resolve their issues. When all three of these key concepts are used, Rogers (Shebib, 2014) suggests, counselling has the best possible chance of success. This paper will define each concept, discuss the importance of each concept to the counselling relationship, and give a personal reflect view on how the three concepts relate to this writer's personal life experiences. This writer will begin with the definition of empathy. Discussion Description This writer's view of empathy, is having the ability to not judge, and to put yourself in someone else's shoes and to see experiences from their eyes and not your own. This writer found support in both the Oxford dictionary (2002) and Carl Rogers (Shebib, 2014, p. 47). They define empathy as "the ability to understand and share the feelings of another", and "being able to see the world through the eyes of the client", respectively. When a counsellor is unable to understand a client's concern, and lacks the ability to see through the eyes of the client, the counselling is unsuccessful....
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...Outline the primary skills used in counselling relationships This essay intends to introduce the reader to the most important skills involved within developing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship between a client and the therapist or counsellor. The onus will be on Humanistic counselling but many of these skills are central to all counselling types. Humanistic counselling is a process whereby the eventual goal is to facilitate the client in developing a personal understanding of self, and form a realisation of their own psychological needs and desires. It is, in essence, a route to empowerment for the client. Carl Rogers, father of client-centred therapy, described the client as an ‘organism’ whose natural tendency is a need to grow and develop: "The organism has one basic tendency and striving - to actualize, maintain, and enhance the experiencing organism” (Rogers, 1951, p. 487). This ‘actualisation tendency’ can only happen with the help of the therapist and their establishment of the perfect growing conditions. It is these that help launch the therapeutic relationship between the counsellor and client: “If I can provide a certain type of relationship, the other person will discover within himself the capacity to use the relationship for growth and change, and personal development will occur” (Rogers, 2004, p. 33). There are six conditions involved in a therapist-client relationship. The first involves the client and therapist entering into a psychological contract...
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...Empathy: The Unexpected Lesson I am not an altruistic person. My view on life has always been that you are responsible for yourself and no one else. Before Composition 1301, I found it hard to empathize with a cause that was not my own. I never understood why people would become outraged by statements made in mainstream media or lash out against private businesses over offensive practices. I always felt that you could ignore the comments, and if a company were genuinely impudent, the free market and lack of patronage would cause it to close. I attribute this outlook mostly to my youth. Growing up as an illegal immigrant in a southern state running across offensive situations was not uncommon. Many times, during amnesty marches in Dallas, all...
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...majority of students who study aboard are the worst ones, which are not qualified to go to a Chinese college or university. I was one of the top students in my class and expected to become the students who will have the best performance in the college admission exam. At that time, I decided to study aboard instead of accept the offer and step into the Chinese university. Most of my teachers and friends, even some of my family members, was shocked by my decision and questioned my future. Filled with embarrassment, disappointment and worries, I was under great pressure when I left my home. In this case, I felt confused about this social limitation just like Clare did. Why the people around me immediately believe what they have been told but never try to find evidence to prove it? I was struggled in the first semester due to the misunderstandings and difficulties I confronted. However, as I accumulate more and more experience, I gradually realized the benefits I gained in U of M. My own story exemplified the truth that sometimes we should challenge the social limitation and keep our faith if the result is good. Both Clare and I agree that it is significant to question rules and make a difference. One of the symbolic objectives in this article is the Clare’s Diary. I felt empathy with Clare when pictured her dairy in my mind. According to the text, “the only diary available, it came with a lock and key”(80). Why Clare only picked the one with the lock? It might because that she is...
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