Blog #3 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 was a good introduction to what a comprehensive school counseling program should look like and also what we will be coming up with in our groups this semester.  The chapter gives a good overview of the main components.  I like that this chapter is essentially broken down into six different parts of a comprehensive school counseling program: holistic, systemic, balanced, proactive, infused into the academic curriculum, and reflective (Dollarhide & Saginak, 2012). I also like at the beginning of the chapter that it is explained in brief what these words mean and then as the chapter continues they are each broken down even more.

I acknowledge that all of the six parts are important but for me the reflective piece of it is especially important because this is how we become better counselors.  If we don't take the time to reflect on what we are doing or have done in the past then we will continue doing the same things over and over without realizing if they are actually working or not.  Throughout this program I have learned the value of reflecting in just my own life so I think it will be easy for me to implement it into being a school counselor as well.

As Lisa said in her blog, I also really appreciated the case study of Ty that was presented at the beginning of the chapter and revisited throughout the chapter.  It really helps to see these cases presented and then as the chapter is presented be able to understand it better and have a better understanding of what is needed from us as a school counselor.  As I was reading through the case study I would have wanted to try to help Ty as much as Mr. Paulson did and I hope that I have as much tenacity as Mr. Paulson did in helping him. Even though Mr. Paulson was at first rejected by his superiors he did not give up in trying to help Ty and doing what was best for him to help his situation.  I hope that I can have that same dedication when I become a school counselor and will stand up for my students to make sure they get all of the help that they need.

Dollarhide, C.T., & Saginak, K.A. (2012). Comprehensive school counseling programs (2nd Ed.). New York: Pearson, Inc.