Susan Jennifer Polese

Going through a master’s program in mental health counseling is a little like putting your mind on a cold, steel table and dissecting it in at least eleven different ways – and then leaving the room quickly because it is going to expand. The very essence of counselor education encourages the student to look at their lives, choices, families, and roles in society from many different perspectives. Each class offers a wealth of knowledge and fresh ways to consider yourself and your place in the world. It is at once wonderful and exhausting, intriguing and infuriating. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it.

Why have we decided to follow the path to become counselors? We, as counselors-in-training, are often asked this question. At different times I’ve come up with various responses. Another apt question is: what are we going to do with our counseling education and subsequent career? I have realized over the past few months how important social advocacy is to me and that I intend it to be the cornerstone of my counseling pursuits.

The bestselling author Suzanne Collins penned the novel The Hunger Games which has been made into one of the highest grossing films of all time. In fact, it has become such a sensation that girl tweens are having Hunger Games themed birthday parties where guests come in costume as the characters from the novel and film. When I saw the movie many of the children in the audience were also dressed up. The actors who star in the film are all over the talk shows and rumors tell us that there will be three sequels.

I am currently involved in an interesting conversation thread as part of an American Counseling Association group on LinkedIn. First off, I highly recommend that counselors get on LinkedIn and create a profile. It is a great way to network and be part of a counseling community. Once on there, take a moment to join the ACA discussion group – it is there that you can communicate with other professionals and expand your knowledge. Discussion thread messages may be directly emailed to you – in case your want to be in the know. And in the know, I am!

Having just finished a very long, grueling text book chapter exploring anxiety disorders my interest in existential counseling has once again been piqued. I’ve been interested in existentialism for years having studied the philosophy of Kierkegaard and the prose of Camus.