Jun Angelo F. Nagallo
Introduction to Guidance and Counseling
BSPSY4B
Ma’am Gemma Gornez
M5 Check-in Activity Reflective Journaling
Steps to follow in keeping a Reflective Journal about your hypothetical helping/counseling
activities.
Step 1: Choose a Journaling Medium
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A digital document (e.g., Word Doc, Google Docs) is ideal for people seeking a flexible,
accessible, and easily editable journaling option. One of its main advantages is the ability
to access your journal from multiple devices, allowing you to write anytime and
anywhere. It also offers great organizational features, like folders and tags, which make it
easy to search for specific topics and edit your entries. Additionally, digital documents
don’t require physical storage space, making them convenient for those with limited room
for physical journals. However, there are a few downsides. Digital journals can be
distracting, particularly if you're using a computer or tablet, where other apps or
notifications might interrupt your focus. Some people may also find typing on a keyboard
less personal than writing by hand, and it can be more difficult to incorporate creative
elements like drawings or stickers compared to a physical journal.
Step 2: Set a Consistent Schedule
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Daily in the morning reflect on goals for the day, setting intentions or priorities. Write
down any worries or thoughts that might be lingering from the previous day.
Example: “Today, I want to focus on finishing my project. I’m feeling a bit anxious, but
I’ll take it step by step.”
In the evening, review how the day went, what you accomplished, and how you felt. note
any challenges, triggers, or moments of anxiety you encountered. Example: “I felt
stressed about the deadline today, but breaking it down into smaller tasks helped me stay
focused.”
And every Sunday, have a short 20-minute reflection about what happened to you in a
span of a week.
Step 3: Select a Quiet and Reflective Space
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For me, Church is a place where it is quiet and at the same time, it is also a place where
we can have a reflection about ourselves.
Step 4: Document the Session
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After today's counseling session with Sarah, she presented concerns about feeling
overwhelmed by work and struggling with balancing her personal life. I used cognitivebehavioral techniques to help her identify and challenge negative thoughts about her
productivity and self-worth. Sarah responded well to the idea of reframing her thoughts,
especially when she realized she often equates her value with her work output. She had a
breakthrough moment when she recognized the importance of setting boundaries and
prioritizing self-care. We discussed strategies for time management and ways to create
space for relaxation. Sarah left the session feeling more empowered and hopeful about
implementing these changes.
Step 5: Reflect on Your Feelings
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In today’s session with Sarah, we focused on addressing her feelings of overwhelm
related to work and balancing her personal life. Using cognitive-behavioral techniques,
we explored how her negative thoughts about productivity were affecting her well-being.
Sarah had a breakthrough when she realized her self-worth didn’t need to be tied to her
work output. She responded positively to strategies for setting boundaries and prioritizing
self-care. Moving forward, I aim to help her build a sustainable routine that supports both
her professional and personal needs while continuing to reinforce her sense of control and
agency.
Step 6: Self-Examination
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As I reflect on my counseling practice, I recognize both strengths and areas where I can
continue to grow, all while ensuring that my work aligns with the ethical standards of the
profession, particularly those outlined in the ACA Code of Ethics. I have found that my
ability to listen attentively and empathize with clients helps create a safe, non-judgmental
space for them to express their feelings. I actively listen, provide affirmations, and ensure
clients feel heard and understood, which aligns with the ethical standard of respecting
client autonomy and fostering trust in the therapeutic relationship. And, I am diligent
about maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding client information, which is central to
building trust and maintaining ethical standards. I ensure clients are fully informed about
the limitations of confidentiality and feel secure in our work together, following the
ethical guidelines regarding privacy and information sharing.
Step 7: Analyze the Client's Progress
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Overall, the client has made significant progress since the beginning of therapy. They
have shown an increased ability to manage their anxiety, reframe negative thought
patterns, and apply practical strategies to reduce stress. The recent breakthrough
regarding their self-worth is a critical step in building a healthier, more balanced mindset.
Moving forward, it will be important to continue reinforcing these strategies while,
providing support for any remaining challenges, particularly around boundary-setting and
sustaining self-care practices. The client has shown substantial progress in managing
anxiety related to work and self-esteem. Their openness to the interventions, combined
with their growing self-awareness, and, application of strategies, has led to positive
outcomes. With a continued focus on consistency in applying time management skills,
setting boundaries, and maintaining self-care, the client is likely to continue making
progress toward greater emotional balance and well-being.
Step 8: Set Goals
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The client’s goals moving forward focus on improving their emotional well-being and
managing stress. These goals include:
1. Setting Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time to
reduce overwhelm.
2. Consistent Self-Care: Develop a regular self-care routine to support relaxation and
balance.
3. Time Management: Enhance skills for managing workloads and deadlines to lower
anxiety.
4. Challenging Negative Thoughts: Continue reframing negative thoughts about
productivity and self-worth.
5. Seeking Support: Increase openness to asking for help when feeling overwhelmed.
These goals aim to empower the client with practical strategies to manage stress, improve their
mental health, and maintain a healthier work-life balance.
Step 9: Explore Alternative Approaches
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - By learning to be present in the
moment without judgment, the client can better manage overwhelming thoughts and
emotions related to work and self-worth. This approach would help them decrease
anxiety and improve emotional resilience.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - This technique could help the client
embrace their anxiety and self-critical thoughts without judgment, thereby reducing the
impact of these feelings on their daily life. ACT also helps clients focus on meaningful
goals, such as self-care and setting boundaries.
Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (Expanded) - By expanding CBT to include practical
steps for addressing specific challenges (e.g., a fear of failure), the client can build
confidence and better cope with stressors related to productivity and self-worth.
Step 10: Consider Ethical and Cultural Aspects
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During the counseling session, several ethical and cultural considerations arose that
required my attention. Below is a reflection on these issues, how they were addressed,
and areas where I believe further improvement is needed.
Confidentiality and Trust - One of the primary ethical issues that came up during the
session was ensuring confidentiality and maintaining the client’s trust. The client shared
sensitive personal information about their struggles with self-worth and feelings of
inadequacy related to their work.
Informed Consent and Autonomy - Ensuring the client is fully informed about the
counseling process and their autonomy in decision-making is a key ethical principle.
During the session, it was important to check in with the client to ensure that the
interventions we were discussing were aligned with their needs and preferences.
Emotional and Psychological Safety - Given that the client was discussing deeply
personal issues around self-worth and anxiety, I was conscious of maintaining their
emotional and psychological safety during the session. It's important to recognize when a
topic might be triggering or overwhelming for the client.
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Step 11: Record Personal Growth
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After going through the process of counseling I have seen my growth and my
relationship with the client is getting stronger because it helps me become more
understanding of my surroundings. No matter how small it is it is still a growth not only
to me but to the client as well and it will serve as a lesson for both of us and it will mold
us to become a better person.
Step 12: Revise and Revisit
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Again going back or revisiting what I have done from previous steps up until to now I
have realize that tracking my growth is very crucial to me because it how your skills,
confidence, and understanding of clients have evolved. You may notice improvements in
areas like communication, empathy, or the ability to handle difficult emotions, which are
central to counseling effectiveness. Next is Identifying the patterns regularly reviewing
your reflections allows you to detect recurring themes or patterns in your work. For
example, you might see that you struggle with setting boundaries with clients or
consistently feel more comfortable using certain interventions. Identifying these patterns
enables you to proactively address challenges and refine your approach. Lastly, by
Adapting to new insights as you gain more experience, your counseling approach may
evolve. Revisiting past reflections allows you to integrate new techniques, theories, or
self-awareness into your practice. You can revise earlier entries to include new
perspectives and strategies, which enriches your learning process.
Step 13: Seek Supervision and Feedback
Sharing your journal entries with a supervisor or mentor is a highly beneficial practice for
professional growth in counseling. It provides you with an external perspective on your work,
which can be crucial for identifying strengths, challenges, and areas that need further
development. A supervisor or mentor’s feedback can help you refine your skills, enhance your
self-awareness, and ensure that you are staying aligned with ethical and professional standards.
Feedbacks: Select a Trusted Mentor or Supervisor: Choose someone whose experience and
feedback you respect. This person should ideally be someone with more experience, such as a
senior therapist, clinical supervisor, or mentor who has a deep understanding of counseling
practice.
Be Open to Feedback: Approach the feedback with an open mind. Be ready to listen to their
suggestions and constructive criticism without becoming defensive. This is an opportunity for
growth, and the more receptive you are, the more you will learn.
Use Feedback to Improve: After receiving feedback, take time to reflect on it and integrate it
into your practice. Revise your counseling techniques, set new goals, and apply the suggestions
in future sessions with clients.
Maintain Regular Sharing: Consistently share your journal entries over time to track progress
and continue receiving feedback. This can be especially helpful for addressing ongoing
challenges and ensuring you remain on track with your professional development.
Step 14: Maintain Confidentiality
Maintaining confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle in counseling. It ensures that any
personal, sensitive information shared by clients during therapy remains protected and is not
disclosed without the client’s informed consent, except in specific circumstances that are legally
required (e.g., risk of harm). Confidentiality fosters trust between the counselor and the client,
creating a safe environment where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences and
emotions. It is essential for upholding professional integrity, ensuring client dignity, and
complying with legal and ethical standards.
How to maintain:
1. Secure Record-Keeping
2. Discuss Limits of Confidentiality
3. Avoid Unnecessary Sharing
4. Discretion in Communication:
Step 15: Practice Self-Compassion
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Practicing self-compassion is essential for maintaining emotional well-being, especially
when facing challenges in both personal and professional life. As a counselor, I recognize
that self-compassion helps me stay grounded and resilient in the face of difficult
situations or moments of self-doubt. When I encounter setbacks or make mistakes, rather
than being overly critical of myself, I strive to treat myself with the same kindness and
understanding that I would offer a client. This means acknowledging my imperfections
without judgment, allowing myself to learn from experiences, and taking the necessary
steps to care for my mental and emotional health. By practicing self-compassion, I am
better equipped to show up for my clients with empathy and presence, as I am not
weighed down by self-criticism, but instead, I foster a mindset of growth and resilience.