In general, I believe that it is important for counselor education students to engage in self-reflection and self-discovery. Effective counselors continually work to understand themselves as well as the material they are learning, and they must be willing to examine their beliefs and behaviors. Self-reflection encourages counselors to evaluate what they have learned about themselves, and self-discovery allows counselors to take risks and try out new ways of becoming.

In all of my courses, there is a strong self-reflection and self-discovery component. Counseling is not just something we learn; counselors are people we become. Therefore, although I have a strong belief in holding students to the highest professional standards, teaching the latest information, and encouraging all counselors to use a practitioner-scientist approach to counseling, there is more to becoming a counselor. I also want to communicate to students, through classroom discussions and activities, assignments, professional development opportunities, and by example, that all counselors must be willing to engage in the lifelong process of self-reflection.