It was Sunday morning of the conference, and I was in\u00a0 Roberta Neault\u2019s session on \u201cCounsellors\u2019 Career Journeys\u201d. Roberta said [hoping I\u2019m recalling accurately], \u201cI encourage you all to set aside time on Monday to reflect on what you learned at this conference\u201d. After all that was the theme \u2013 Reflecting on self and practice. And the past few days had given me much to reflect on through those who spoke in both the concurrent and plenary sessions and those I met and talked with inbetween sessions \u2013 new inspiring ideas, fresh perspectives, challenges, affirmations, salutary reminders to be purposeful in my work and intriguing possibilities to explore.<\/p>\n
I resolved to do exactly what Roberta suggested.\u00a0 Set aside time on Monday to reflect on the conference. And I did.\u00a0 I sat down, reviewed my notes from all the sessions and gathered up my swirling thoughts.\u00a0 This conference was unique in my experience in that I feel it spoke to my mind, heart and spirit.\u00a0 Thank you again to the CCPA and the organizing committee.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s some of what stood out to me.<\/p>\n
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I was reminded of the enthusiasm, energy and excitement those who are new to the profession bring.\u00a0 Counselling in Canada has a bright future indeed if the students I met at the conference are any indication.<\/p>\n
Marc Gervais, Jeffrey Kottler and Judith Jordan\u00a0 (whose plenary sessions dovetailed so well) emphasized – The work we do is about compassion, it\u2019s about caring, it\u2019s about connection, it\u2019s about love [pulling all three together].\u00a0 Love?\u00a0 Jeffrey Kottler said it\u2019s not a word we use in conjunction with counselling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Phrases that stood out to me from those talks:<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust in the relational process of helping others\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWho I am as a person is as important as what I do\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hardwired for connection\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cListening and empathy heal isolation and disconnection\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeffrey Kottler\u2019s session on \u201cChanging People\u2019s Lives While Transforming Your Own\u201d \u2013 exploring ways in which our clients can be our most valuable teachers was profoundly moving for me.\u00a0\u00a0 His story about his own journey and his work with Nepali girls and his statement that \u2018sometimes our service chooses us\u2019 struck a deep chord.<\/p>\n
As with other rich learning experiences it will take a while to fully process all that I have learned.\u00a0 I will continue to reflect on and apply what I have learned in my practice, in my research and in my own career journey and service.<\/p>\n