Professional Identity

1
Professional Identity

2
What makes us Unique

• Wellness Model of Mental Health
• Developmental Perspective
• Prevention Early Intervention
• Client Empowerment

3
The Wellness Model

• Physicians use the Illness model
• Goal positive mental health
• Across several scales e.g. family, friends,
  career, physical, financial, sexual

4
A Developmental Perspective

• People progress through a lifespan of challenges
• Problems are viewed through a developmental
  perspective
• Some issues are seen as transitional problems

5
Prevention and Early Intervention

• School Counselors play a vital role in prevention
  and early intervention
• Education is key
• e.g. parenting, assertiveness, career
  exploration, and drug/alcohol

6
Client Empowerment

• Moving client/students toward problem-solving
  skills
• Seeking help is a healthy response to life
  problems not necessarily a sign of mental
  illness

7
Counseling Programs

• Know your program
• Most counseling programs are in the college of
  education
• Accreditation is CACREP
• Degree is MS in Counseling
• Eligible for Certification and Licensure in the
  State of Illinois