1. Foundations.
   1.5 Diversity.
      b. Adapt the counselling therapist's approach to meet culture-specific needs of clients.

Reflection, Policy and Practice

​

As a White settler in the privileged position of being a counsellor, I want to ensure I am vigilant about the implicit biases I hold because it will come out on my interactions with clients of diverse backgrounds. Awareness of these biases allows me to bring them to light, so that I can engage in decolonizing my beliefs, which bolsters my cultural competency in practice and allow myself to live closer to my values related to inclusivity. There is a Harvard based website, https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatest.htm

​

lt offers free implicit bias testing in several different domains of interest: Age, gender, weight, race (and subtypes: Asian, Native, Black), skin-tone, and disability. I am going to set a calendar reminder to do one a month and use the results to find an associated therapist-based workshop to attend so that I can implement anti-discrimination practices into my approach.

In years two and three, I want to seek advanced training in specialized areas related to anti-discrimination practices, such as trauma-informed care and LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy. I want to establish connections with organizations and professionals working in these fields to enhance collaboration and resource-sharing. I just got trained in EMDR and saw that EMDRIA has a diversity-based group for clinicians who practice with marginalized groups. https://www.emdria.org/group/emdr-and-
diversity/. By year three, I will have taken 1-3 advanced EMDR sessions based on the implicit tests I scored the lowest on.
In years four and five, I would like to shift towards systemic change by develop and implementing ongoing training programs as I establish a company, that encourages a culture of continuous learning and reflection. There are many consulting firms, but many seem to concentrate on race alone. This one https://gatewaytodiversity.ca/services/ encompasses many diversities and would be a good fit. I would run one of these bi-annually and make it a fun, group experience and have it catered and
provide compensation of pay to staff.

​

Representation

 

There is an over-representation of White people in my suburban community, and many are in hetero-normative, middle to upper class pairings. Yet, my community has grown in the past several years, and has local businesses and agencies that has diluted the prevalence of the status quo. In my first year, I plan on developing a professional identity that is welcoming and embraces diversity. I will add local resources to my website and add pictures of minority groups from different cultures, religions, gender identities and abilities. I will also add links for community groups for people to join and
resources for people to connect with. Here are some:

https://pflagcanada.ca/
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1581971225188/1581971250953
https://naseeha.org/about-us/
https://www.disability-supports.ca/programs-and-services

Year two and three, I will ensure I join a DE&I committee at my place of work. If there is no DE&I committee, I will be sure to seek outside DE&I consultation so that I am accountable to my continual inventory of implicit biases. I don’t see a lot of psychologist choices, but I could join fellow social workers as well. I know a few who offer anti-oppressive consultation. Here is my first choice: https://linktr.ee/bipochealingcentre

In years four and five, I will find my own office space within an agency or open my own business. Either way, I want to ensure
the building is up to date with accessibility building codes: https://www.edmonton.ca/public-files/assets/document?path=PDF/B_3.8._Accessibility_Guide.pdf and has representation of artifacts that represent Truth and Reconciliation guidelines: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1450124405592/1529106060525

In addition, I want to ensure I have 2SLGBTQIA+ colours and welcoming words in different languages; as well, have a subscription to a language line in case of any linguistic barriers, like this one, which also offers ASL: www.languageline.com

​

1. Communication and Relationships.
    2.3 Collaborative Practice and Referral.
       e. Develop and maintain a referral network.

Referrals

 

The first stage of this process entails building connections with other providers through networking. In my first year, I am going to create a list of people from my cohort and university instructors whom I know and develop a spreadsheet to track their phone numbers and specialties. I will ask their permission to refer clients to them based upon their special interests and sub-specialties.

Between the first and second year, I will use my profile on LinkedIn and add connections I know and also look in the profile directory and suggestions to find other therapists with other specialties. I will be able to see their background education and training and any resources they share. I will message them and start a dialogue. https://ca.linkedin.com/

My third year will entail deepening relationships with people in my area whom I have met via LinkedIn and at conferences. In
doing so, I will create partnerships and affiliates.

My fourth and fifth years will include branding and advertising including investing in technology and social media account
management. I will create a survey for clients so that they can provide feedback about the success of the referrals.

​

1. Professionalism.
   3.4 Reflective Practice.
      a. Obtain performance feedback from various sources.

​

Feedback

By regularly engaging in reflection, therapists can refine their skills, identify patterns in their interactions, and continuously strive to enhance the quality of their therapeutic interventions. Receiving performance feedback from multiple sources as a therapist is invaluable for continuous professional growth and development. Diverse feedback, whether from clients, peers, or supervisors, provides a well-rounded perspective on therapeutic effectiveness and areas for improvement. Embracing feedback from various sources enhances self-awareness, fosters adaptability, and ultimately contributes to the
enhancement of therapeutic skills and the delivery of more client-centered care.

 

   3.6 Business Practices
      b. Establish sound business management policies and procedures.

​

Business Manageme

Eventually, I would like to engage in private practice part-time. To be effective, compliant and competent in this area, I have to ensure that I am choosing management policies and procedures that hold up to ethical and legal standards
which are also appealing and competitive. I must ensure that I obtain the proper insurance coverage for in person and virtual
clients. I must research and choose an effective practice management system so that client files can be kept secure electronically and that I can communicate with peers and clients via encryption measures. Keeping with my trauma-informed approach, I want to pay attention to the location and accessibility of my office space. I would need to find somewhere that is easy to get to, with ample parking yet affords clients the privacy they deserve. The space must also be OH&S compliant.

​

2. Counselling Therapy Process
    4.1 Assessment
       f. Establish ongoing informed consent.

​

Informed Consent

Informed consent happens throughout the counselling process, from the first session to the last termination appointment. As a knowledge holder, knowing my clients are vulnerable not only emotionally, but lack context of procedures and counselling interventions, it is imperative that they understand the risks and benefits of participation. Clients need to know they are free to accept, modify, change or ignore anything I recommend, without jeopardizing the quality of their care, and know they can connect to my licensing body at any given time.

Informed consent should be kept at a grade 6 reading level whether printed or verbal, and be available in different formats for those with differing needs and abilities. On the other side of the spectrum, I will regularly review CAP code of ethics and standards of practice to ensure that my informed consent process is acceptable at the policy level.