Since I am a counselor, I help people on a daily basis with personal issues. Most recently, I met with a student to help her with some family issues she was experiencing that were negatively affecting her academic involvement in her classes.
1. What were your motives for helping this person?
My motives were to fulfill my role as a counselor and I enjoy helping others to identify solutions to difficult situations.
2. Did you benefit from this relationship in any way? How?
I did not directly benefit, but I felt fulfilled in the fact that I was able to help her find relief and to identify some solutions to improve her situation.
3. What was your role in the helping relationship? In what way do you think you helped this person? Looking back, is there anything that you might have done differently?
My role in the helping relationship was to be a guide as she identified and expressed her feelings. We worked together collaboratively to identify strategies to reduce stress and to stay involved in school. In terms of doing something differently, I would have allowed her to identify solutions more on her own as opposed to making suggestions.
4. Was there anything that this person did, said, or believed that you did not agree with? How did you react?
There was not anything that the person said that I did not agree with.
5. Did you learn anything from this relationship?
I learned that culture is such an important part of interpreting others' issues and I tried to be empathetic and understanding even though I am from a different culture with different beliefs.
I also learned that I need to help students/clients identify solutions on their own as opposed to often making suggestions and recommendations. I really want to work on asking questions in a way that helps them to identify their own solutions.