1. How to Become a
Competent Beginning
Counselor
Andrea Sanchez
University of Houston - Clear Lake

2. DEVELOP A PERSONAL
THEORY
“Developing a personal theory of
counseling is an essential part of the
training and development of counselors
and provides the basis for informed and
effective counseling practice” (Spruill &
Benshoff, 2000).
Spruill, D. A., & Benshoff, J. M. (2000). Helping Beginning Counselors Develop a Personal Theory of
Counseling. Counselor Education and Supervision, 40(1), 70-80.

3. DEVELOP A PERSONAL
THEORY
This process begins during graduate
training and continues on throughout
one’s professional career.
Even though beginning counselors may be
licensed to practice, they are still, in many
ways, evolving.

4. SEEK A SUPERVISOR
“. . . from within the counseling
profession, from those who have
educational backgrounds, clinical
training, and experiences that will help
extend and deepen the focus rather than
alter the course of the developing
counselor” (Pehrsson & Ingram, 2001).
Pehrsson, D. E., & Ingram, M. A. (2001). Supervision: A guide for beginning counselors. Professional Issues in Counseling On‐Line
Journal. Retrieved from http://www.shsu.edu/~piic/summer2001/pehrssoningram.htm

5. SEEK A SUPERVISOR
Seek a
supervisor with
similar
theoretical
approach.

6. SEEK A SUPERVISOR
Nothing will help a beginning
counselor grow more than to have an
expert telling you how you can
improve in your methods and,
consequently, grow as a counselor.

7. WORK WITH DIVERSE
POPULATIONS
“The need for
multiculturalism in
the counseling
profession is urgent
and necessary for
ethical practice, an
integral part of our
professional work”
(Sue, Arredondo, &
McDavis, 1992).
Sue, D.W., Arredondo, P., & McDavis, R. J., (1992). Multicultural counseling competencies and standards: A call to the
profession. Journal of Counseling and Development, 70, 477-486.

8. WORK WITH DIVERSE
POPULATIONS
It is important for a
beginning counselor
to have the mindset
that anyone can come
in for a session and to
feel prepared to work
with these diverse
populations.

9. KEEP CALM…

10. TRUST THE PROCESS

11. THANK YOU!