Every once in a while I have to take off my individualistic hat and put on my collective hat.\u00a0 Today\u2019s blog is simply a reminder to people about the importance of the collective.\u00a0 As individual counsellors, we are often isolated in the work we do.\u00a0 We do find other, like-minded, people to associate.\u00a0 We seek out peers for reflective practice.\u00a0 We collaborate on projects.\u00a0 When we work in isolation, we tend to forget that there is a bigger picture in the world of counselling.\u00a0 We forget to remember (or is it that remember to forget) about all the larger collection of counsellors out there that creates the profession.\u00a0 Without this larger body, individuals would struggle worse than they are now to form their identity as a counsellor.\u00a0 It is likely that it is because of this larger body that the individual has a choice of their identity at all. It is also likely that due to this body, the community at large sees counselling as a professional body as one that is governed by a regulatory body and managed by a code of ethics; that counsellors are accountable to this governing body (though voluntarily) as well as to the public.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I guess that the point of my preaching today is to remind people that that collective is coming together in Calgary, Alberta this Spring \u2013 May 24-27, 2011 in the form of a conference.\u00a0 The newly formed Alberta\/NWT Chapter will be there looking for ways to build its\u2019 own presence.\u00a0 The theme is fitting with this discussion;\u00a0 Reflecting on Self and Practice.\u00a0 The importance of these conferences is not just the education credits one picks up, but the actual bonding and building of the profession.\u00a0 Among the social opportunities, there is the intrinsic value of developing a sense of belonging (something we all strive for).\u00a0 Make sure to find your way to Calgary, Alberta for the conference, and, if it pertains to you\u2026 seek out the newly formed Alberta\/NWT chapter of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.\u00a0 Find out what they can do for you\u2026 or, more importantly, provide your input in what they will do for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Every once in a while I have to take off my individualistic hat and put on my collective hat.\u00a0 Today\u2019s blog is simply a reminder to people about the importance of the collective.\u00a0 As individual counsellors, we are often isolated in the work we do.\u00a0 We do find other, like-minded, people to associate.\u00a0 We seek […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001005,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-counsellingandpsychotherapyincanada"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n