Blog 9

      I found both chapters this week to be very thought provoking. In chapter 6 I was especially intrigued by the section on career counseling for individuals with mental illnesses. I was surprised by the number of people in just the United States alone who were considered disabled. 17 million people seems like a lot of people, and to think that 29.5% of them are extremely disabled (Brown, 2012). I also had never really given any thought to how difficult this could be for someone who has bipolar disorder. They would require a very specific environment to work in and this would be a really extreme challenge for us as counselors.  This just really gives me something to think about as I embark on my counseling journey because it was really nothing I had considered before. I mean as I have been working as a TSS with a client with autism I have been thinking about how they would receive just normal counseling but now I wonder how I would work with these individuals on career counseling as well.

                Another group of individuals that I may have a hard time working with would be ex-offenders. I have not had a lot of experience with this group of individuals, so it would be a whole new population to deal with. I also do not know how my own personal views on life my affect the type of counseling that I provide to these individuals. I know this is an area that I need to work on as a counselor but is definitely something that I can change. I also took to heart the older workers section. I have noticed more and more how people are coming out of retirement and trying to find part time jobs just to help pay the bills. I think helping older people with career counseling will be a challenge in itself. Like the book says there are myths that have to be dealt with when working with an older clientele. It will probably take a lot of advocating on the part of the counselor to make sure that employers do not pre-judge these individuals before giving them the chance to prove themselves.

                In Chapter 14 I was just shocked by all that it really does take to set up a private practice. I have never even thought of owning my own practice because I am too afraid of the liability that it would be. I am much happier helping clients through a public service than through a practice of my own. The responsibility that it requires from the owner really does scare me and that is not something I am willing to risk. 

Brown, D. (2012) Career information, career counseling, and career development (10th ed.).  New York: Pearson Education, Inc.