Get Involved! Planning For Leadership And Advocacy ✓ Solved

Get Involved! Plan for Integrating Leadership and Advocacy

You have engaged in both leadership and advocacy efforts. Develop a plan for integrating leadership and advocacy in your future role as a counselor educator, addressing the following: State where you see yourself on your leadership journey in the next 5 years and 10 years. Next five to 10 years I will be an official Licensed Practicing Counselor (LPC) and I will have my PhD in Counseling, Education and Supervision (CES). Start my private practice, and teaching on a doctoral level, and finally sit on the Counseling Board of Virginia as government relationship representative.

Who will you seek as a mentor to guide you through the first steps of your leadership journey? Although recently I inherited a mentor who has been in this profession for more than 30 years. I sought her out because she was my supervisor in my internship and I always valued her opinions. She was one whom I would have personal conversations with as well as clinical conversations with regarding my career and being a single mom. This particular mentor is also a leader in her church and community of professions.

She sits in leadership positions and writes to legislators on behalf of others. Her specialty is in substance abuse counseling. She has a house in which she runs an advocacy program for those who are homeless recovering from addiction. Another mentor is younger; however, she operates her own holistic, nutrition, and therapeutic family practice. She has six degrees and blogs for Psychology Today, a web searching site for counselors.

Very well educated in science and medicine and is business-minded. Her business specializes in detox and nutrition and healing without medication. How will you know that you are headed on the path towards your leadership goals? As a resident in counseling for license practitioner counseling (LPC) leadership roles are already being taken into place such as, developing and presenting via PowerPoints regarding professional identity development, roles, practicing in an ethical manner, etc., to the group of interns, residents in counseling, and other staff members within the practice where the learner is doing part of her residency.

Another role entails involvement in going out to the community offering services and information for those who are struggling during this epidemic. Being part of and participating in the truckers association as an advocate on a policy level thus far. As a substance abuse counselor at one of the other facilities participating and advocating as a team player on behalf of some clients within the court system.

Include future advocacy issues that you want to focus on for clients, communities, professional counselors, and the counseling profession. For clients: Advocacy for clients such as Long Haul Truck drivers and counselors to be able to counsel across state lines so the truckers can have regular or telehealth appointments. For Community: To go out in the community meet with the leaders of community centers listening to their concerns and counseling them about the resources available to help them through their anxiety and mental health struggles.

For Counselor: To advocate for a stronger mental health system so adults and children would recover and manage their mental illness effectively. For Counselor profession: Public policy advocacy on how to cope with the coronavirus and maintaining the standards for counseling licensure in Virginia and gaining parity with other mental health professionals. What steps can you take as an individual to engage in the work as an advocate? Which organizations are a good fit to team up with to accomplish your advocacy goals? Describe how the application of theories, models, and skills helps in the integration of leadership and advocacy activities into a professional development plan.

Describe how you will continually develop mentoring skills to assist in the development of counselor trainees.

Paper For Above Instructions

Developing a Counseling Leadership and Advocacy Plan

In order to effectively integrate leadership and advocacy into my future role as a counselor educator, I must create a structured plan that outlines my developmental milestones, mentorship opportunities, strategies for advocacy, and continuous professional growth. My vision for the next five to ten years includes significant milestones which align with my commitment to the counseling profession and the communities I aim to serve.

Leadership Journey Vision

In the next five years, I plan to achieve licensure as a Licensed Practicing Counselor (LPC) and complete my PhD in Counseling, Education, and Supervision (CES). I foresee myself establishing a private practice focused on providing therapeutic services for individuals struggling with mental health issues. Furthermore, I wish to enter academia, teaching at the doctoral level to empower future counselors. Within the next ten years, I aspire to become a member of the Counseling Board of Virginia, acting as a liaison between the profession and the government, advocating for policies that promote mental health awareness and accessibility.

Mentorship and Guidance

To embark on this journey, I will continue to seek guidance from my current mentor who has over 30 years of experience in the counseling field. Her extensive knowledge and leadership roles within the church and community organizations provide me with insights into advocacy at both local and national levels. Additionally, I plan to engage with a younger mentor who operates a holistic practice, offering modern perspectives on client care and advocacy in mental health. Her business model emphasizes a wellness approach through nutrition and holistic practices, which I believe is crucial for developing comprehensive counseling strategies.

Tracking Leadership Goals

Progress on my leadership journey can be measured through various professional activities. As a counseling resident, I am already involved in developing and presenting information on professional identity, ethical practices, and role engagement to peers and interns. This not only reinforces my commitment to effective leadership but also inspires those around me to engage in their development. Participation in community outreach programs fosters relationships with local organizations, allowing me to extend my influence as an advocate. Advocacy efforts with the truckers association at the policy level serve as a practical application of my leadership in action.

Future Advocacy Issues

As I chart my advocacy path, I will focus on critical issues affecting my clients, professional colleagues, and the wider community. For clients, I intend to advocate for telehealth access for long-haul truck drivers, facilitating cross-state counseling services. In the community, engaging with local leaders to promote resources that address anxiety and mental health will be a priority. For the profession, I will push for public policy changes advocating for the mental health sector, especially in light of the pandemic, ensuring standards for licensure remain stringent and equitable with other health professionals.

Individual Advocacy Engagement

As an individual advocate, networking with professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association and the Virginia Counseling Association will be essential. Collaborating with these organizations will amplify my advocacy efforts and provide a broader platform for impactful change. I will also dive into professional literature related to advocacy strategies and emerging trends in mental health care to maintain relevance in my practices and teachings.

Application of Theories and Skills

The integration of leadership and advocacy in my professional development plan can be enhanced through the application of various counseling theories such as the Ecological Systems Theory, which informs my understanding of how personal, community, and political factors influence client well-being and counseling effectiveness. Knowledge of leadership models, including servant leadership, reinforces the necessity of prioritizing others' needs and fostering an inclusive environment within the field.

Continuous Mentoring Skill Development

To further develop my mentoring skills, I plan to engage in workshops and training focused on supervision and mentorship in counseling. This continuous education will prepare me to better guide counselor trainees and enhance their professional identity development. I also intend to reflect on my own mentoring experiences, identifying effective strategies that foster growth and resilience in others.

In conclusion, the integration of leadership and advocacy is essential in shaping my future as a counselor educator. By setting clear goals, seeking mentorship, remaining engaged with advocacy efforts, and continuously refining my skills, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the counseling profession and the communities I serve.

References

• Decker, K. M., Manis, A. A., & Paylo, M. J. (2016). Infusing social justice advocacy into counselor education: Strategies and recommendations. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 8(3).
• Grimmett, M. A., Lupton-Smith, H., Beckwith, A., Englert, M. K., & Messinger, E. (2018). The Community Counseling, Education, and Research Center (CCERC) model: Addressing community mental health needs through engagement scholarship. Journal of Higher Education Outreach & Engagement, 22(3), 201–230.
• Lambert, S. (2018). Counselor collaboration and advocacy. Counseling Today, 61(1), 5.
• Woo, H., Storlie, C. A., & Baltrinic, E. R. (2016). Perceptions of professional identity development from counselor educators in leadership positions. Counselor Education and Supervision, 55, 278–293.
• Presley, L. (2018, October 18). Surviving and thriving at conferences. ACA Member Blogs.