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I really think that every mental health professional should pay attention closely to their own mental health issues and personal struggles. Vicarious trauma is the secondary trauma that the counselor experiences after being exposed to traumatic cases continuously and affects the counselors' cognitive schemas and self-regulation, making harder for them to help others appropriately (Shallcross, n.d.). As a future Licensed Professional Counselor, I will need to take care of my own mental health issues continuously, because if the person that helps is not able to solve their own issues to get the maximum focus, the most adequate perception and the highest motivation, the patient will be negatively affected by not receiving the most appropriate treatment.

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After reading the two articles "Who's taking care of Superman" (Shallcross, n.d.) and "What Is Counselor Burnout and How Can You Avoid It?" (William & Mary School of Education, 2024), I knew more about why mental health professionals including professional counselors should take care of their own mental health, because if counselors don't pay enough attention to their own problems, it will be harder to focus on the job and help others improve their mental health and well-being.

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As mentioned in the article "What Is Counselor Burnout and How Can You Avoid It?", there are different things that counselors and mental health professionals can do to increase the likelihood of their mental health stability and wellness overall such as taking time for themselves to relax and get a balance between their professional and personal lives (William & Mary School of Education, 2024). Another strategy is to develop a self-care plan based on a holistic approach by considering every aspect of a person's health and well-being (William & Mary School of Education, 2024). One example of how I can develop these strategies not only during this module, but during my whole life is to relax by doing activities I really enjoy in my free time. I really love working out several times a week, learning languages, and watching tv shows. I also enjoy ordering food I love once a week such as pizza or hamburgers. One way I can apply a holistic approach to my self-care is to pay attention to other aspects of my health such as physical, emotional, spiritual and social health (Wheel of Wellbeing, 2023). If I don't keep awake at night, I work out, I eat a balanced diet I can take care of my physical health. If get mental health therapy if I have some mental health issues and I change negative perceptions and disruptive thoughts, I will be able to improve my emotional health. If I feel connected to the world in a positive way with a purpose in life, I could improve my spiritual health. If I go out with my friends and continue enjoying my family, I will improve my social health.

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As mentioned above, taking time for relaxation can be achieved by doing activities that I enjoy such as learning languages and playing the bass. When I spend time on a hobby during my free time, I really feel better with myself, and enjoy life more. Considering a holistic approach for my health and well-being is also necessary, to not only take care of my mental health, but of my health in general. This graph addresses the different types of health and some examples and definitions of them. I want to improve my spiritual life by focusing on my life goals, my financial health can be improved by saving money, my recreational health can be addressed by spending time on my hobbies. My career health can be addressed by spending the appropriate time on doing my assignments for my master's degree, and getting prepared to become a Licensed Professional Counselor when I graduate. My social health can be addressed by spending time with my friends and family. My mental health can be addressed by changing disruptive thoughts and perceptions. I can take care of my physical health by working out, eating healthy and not keeping awake at night. Lastly, my environmental health can be maintained by ordering my personal space such as cleaning my house and ordering my stuff at home.

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Shallcross, L. (n.d.). Who’s taking care of Superman? Counseling Today. https://ctarchive.counseling.org/2013/01/whos-taking-care-of-superman/

Wheel of Wellbeing. (2023). Wheel Quiz. https://wheelofwellbeing.com/quiz/

William & Mary School of Education (Ed.). (2024, April 10). What Is Counselor Burnout and How Can You Avoid It? https://counseling.education.wm.edu/blog/how-to-avoid-counselor-burnout