Chapters 6 and 14

     Chapter 6 did a nice job of outlining the different types of special needs clients you might encounter as well as dispelling certain myths about what disabled people can and cannot do. It seems like the number of people with disabilities in the United States is on the rise. While many of these people may in fact have legitimate reasons for not being able to work, I feel that many of them actively choose not to work because of their ability to collect various payments from the government. As career counselors, we need to promote the need to become productive citizens and should find a way to allow the government to refer recipients of government funding to career counselors who could help them find jobs to match their ability level. It does not make sense that so many able-bodied people are allowed to collect money without doing anything. I have a neighbor who is “legally blind” who receives disability money in an amount that allows her to stay at home without working, yet every day I see her driving a car. In my mind, she is perfectly capable of working, but is just taking advantage of the system. I view this as a big problem. Finding ways to get people into jobs that fit their abilities will increase productivity and reduce the amount of money that the government wastes on people who are more than capable of working.

     I thought Chapter 14 was a really beneficial chapter because I feel like at some point I will want my own private practice. This chapter outlined the business side of establishing a private practice from choosing the location of your building, marketing strategies, and creating a budget. As someone who does not have a business background, I will definitely be consulting with business people if and when I try to make this a reality because even a really good counselor can have a failing practice if he or she does not have a good business sense. In today’s world with insurance companies playing such a big role in the healthcare system, it is especially important to make sure that all of your records are filed appropriately and that your books are well organized. I think it’s essential for graduate programs to take the time to cover some of these necessary concepts that aren’t directly related to the work you do inside the office, but are required in order to ensure that you can continue to do the work you do with your clients.

References

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