In therapy, there is a wide range of populations that require special treatment and knowledgeable approaches. These populations’ problems are equally valid and relevant and need to be taken care of persistently. I am looking forward to working with individuals who are prone to depression and have suicidal tendencies. I would also want to counsel clients with alcohol and drug addictions. I believe that I am most competent and experienced in dealing with these issues, and my ultimate goal is to help those who suffer from depression or addictions.
Working with depressed and suicidal clients can be difficult and triggering in a way that it may cause the counselor to face their fears of depression and anxiety. It is crucial to be independent-minded and not let your issues interfere with your work. In addition to the duty to help clients solve their issues, counselors are obliged to protect individuals who are prone to harming themselves. It is common knowledge that appropriate action is necessary once it is determined that a significant risk exists.
Moreover, counselors must consider and examine all possible backgrounds and roots where depression and suicidal thoughts could come from. Although the common triggers of depression are the loss of a family member, a break-up, or financial and identity crisis, other factors contribute to this problem on the same scale. The distress of depression could be the result of the interaction of the person in the environment. Women or persons from various cultural groups are commonly depressed because of cultural racism or sexism. Individuals who have been discriminated against or abused may experience depression as a result of environmental factors. It is essential for clinicians to “understand the various ways that depression is often associated with the racism or sexism that marginalized groups routinely experience in their daily lives” (Corey & Corey, 2015, p. 139). A true specialist must be willing to examine all possible factors of the client’s depression or suicidal tendencies and have enough competence and moral strength to discuss such issues in the first place.
Addiction is one of the most significant public health issues in the United States. Substance abuse counselors are actively involved in education, prevention, intervention, and treatment for various addictions. In my opinion, the provision of treatment in different settings — private and public treatment centers, residential treatment facilities, hospitals, private practice, and community — is necessary. As for clients with alcohol and drug addictions, I think that group counseling is an excellent option. For example, groups for people who admit that their lives are out of control when they abuse alcohol or drugs offer steps leading to recovery. When clients were using these substances, they believed that they were powerless to change. However, the modeling of others who are learning to regain control of their life gradually is proof that there is hope for a better life for everyone. Having faith that change is possible can lead individuals to major lifestyle changes. The acceptance that develops in a group can be a powerful healing force for those who suffer from addictions.
In conclusion, counseling people with depression and addictions is quite complicated and demands a lot of responsibility. Realizing that, I am open to working with such cases and using my knowledge independently of my personal experience and beliefs. Preventing serious matters like addictions, mental and physical self-harm, and even death is a crucially important task to me. Many lives can be saved if counselors give proper attention to these aspects and provide necessary treatment, and I find that truly inspiring.
Reference
Corey, M. S., & Corey, G. (2015). Becoming a helper (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.