Completing my Master’s in Counseling will help me learn many of the skills I still need to become an effective counselor. One area that I still need to strengthen is learning to create a therapeutic relationship that is open and trusting while still maintaining strong professional boundaries. Learning to create this type of professional framework me avoid pitfalls such as over-empathizing or internalizing the difficult emotional experiences described by clients. During my internship at the Onslow Women’s Center, I made a point of communicating with other staff members and interns to find a healthy balance between connecting with clients and maintaining professional distance. I also made an effort to practice self-care so that I maintained my
