Counselors as Companions and Ethics in Human Services

HN 144: Unit 4 Assignment

Counselors as Companions and Ethics in Human Services

I have a stern belief that life lessons have the potential to be learned in/under most circumstances with willing and open participants. By directly reflecting upon “From Tragedy to Triumph: Counselor as Companion on the Hero’s Journey”, it is very apparent that the counselor learned a vital lesson from Steve’s incredible journey.

Richard Halstead not only learned to change his way of thinking but also continued to use Steve’s triumph as a reference in dealing with other clients: “In a sense, my encounter with Steve was my own call to learning. My resources were tested, and I emerged with the realization that I cannot be a travel guide on such deeply personal journeys. I cannot know another’s ultimate destination. I found that when working with such clients, my role as counselor is more akin to a special type of travel companion who is willing to understand and respect the process of walking along a sacred life path. This is the only way I can effectively help a client explore the deeper dimensions of the self that are being challenged. As the hero’s companion I must be willing to share in the client’s pain as well as new, and oftentimes unexpected, discoveries. I now know that the longer path is rarely the easier path. It is not supposed to be. At times the tests come to overwhelm all that one is. It is, however, at these points that one might catch a glimpse of new possibilities and as a result emerge with a different understanding of self, others, and the world” (Halstead, R. W., 2000, January, From Tragedy to Triumph: Counselor as Companion on the Hero’s Journey). This direct excerpt from the article is a model example of the change that Halstead experienced as a reflection of his time with Steve.

Because of this experience the counselor had with Steve, I believe his behaviors will indeed change. When Steve initially walked into the Counselor’s office he was visually assessed and based upon this initial assessment, Steve was “a student coming for counseling on a beautiful afternoon and presenting with sleep disturbance would be dealing with the typical issues of a new student adjusting to college.” (Halstead, R. W., 2000, January, From Tragedy to Triumph: Counselor as Companion on the Hero’s Journey). It is said that one should never judge a book by its cover and this remains to be true in this instance. Once the Counselor dug deeper, it was discovered that the typical issues of a new student adjusting to college was farthest from the true issue at hand.

I do believe that a large number of people I come into contact with will change me in some way; whether it be a grand gesture in a hugely impactful way that encourages me to see things from a way that my form of thinking isn’t