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School counselors are the "glue" that holds most schools together. The number of tasks that counselors are supposed to uphold is astounding.  The Texas Model establishes specific roles and duties that counselors are supposed to follow.  The problem in this situation is that school administrators and/or teachers are not knowledgeable about the roles of school counselors.  Therefore, many times, counselors are tasked with doing roles that are not in their scope.  This could lead to counselor burnout.  The burnout ultimately impacts both the counselor’s well-being and their ability to help students effectively.

This profession also has a high demand for student needs, and due to the stress and emotions, counselors could often feel emotionally and physically drained.  The effects of listening to stories from students, managing the high caseload (because some districts cannot hire more counselors), and navigating the pressures from administrators can lead to exhaustion.  If a counselor also has a family, the demands of juggling school and home life could also lead to emotional strain.

(Mahomed et.al, 2019).

(Texas Education Agency, 2018).

(Williams, 2011).

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Reflection on Importance of Self-Care in the Helping Profession

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Reflection on Importance of Self-Care in the Helping Profession

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Self-care is essential in this profession because professionals who support others must also care for their own well-being to remain compassionate toward students. Without proper self-care, the constant demands of listening and providing emotional support can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and stress. School counselors who engage in self-care help maintain their resilience in the role.  Taking the time to prioritize self-care enhances personal well-being and helps the professional provide the students with emotional and physical well-being.  The better the school counselor takes care of himself/herself, the better the school is.

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As a school counselor, I will enlist the help of my spouse to ensure that I am practicing self-care. I feel that having someone who can keep me motivated and hold me accountable is key. For example, to practice self-care, I like to read, and I will ensure that I am putting time aside to prioritize reading. Another example of self-care could be exercising or working out.

I also want to prioritize boundaries. I want there to be clear boundaries between work and home. I understand that this is not practical all the time, however, when I leave the school, I will try my best to leave work at work.

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-Read a book

-Listen to music

-Hike

-Yoga

-Walk

-Spend time with family

-Clean

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Mahomed, N. J. B., Johari, K. S. K., & Mahmud, M. I. (2019). Coping Strategies and Psychological Well-Being of Guidance and Counselling Teachers in Schools. Creative Education, 10, 3028-3040. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2019.1012227

Williams, R. (2011). The importance of self-care - american school counselor association (ASCA). Www.schoolcounselor.org. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Magazines/January-February-2011/The-Importance-of-Self-Care

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