Classes today at the retreat center. The morning session was about how Counseling in Italy differs from the United States. Eugenio Bacchini provided a great prospective about these differences. In Italy, at the moment, one does not need a degree from the University to be a counselor. So really, anyone, like a garbage man per se, could claim to be a counselor and if they could get people to come to them, charge. Talk about ethical practices gone wrong! Overall, in Europe, one only needs a high school diploma to become a counselor. Over the past few years, many “counselors”, with backgrounds in psychology from the university, are struggling to define the proper training to become an actual counselor instead of a “friend with a listening ear” or a psychologist that provides other services and proclaims to be a counselor. Dr. Bacchini made a good reference in saying that “psychotherapy is where a patient needs to be repaired and is more passive and dependant and counseling is like jump starting a car. It is a balanced relationship where the client must be active in the process. It is also where there are already all the necessary working parts but a need for a tune up. The push for private associations to support basic training of at least 3 years post high school as well as 450 hours of personal counseling has become quite popular. There is also a push to provide training of specific counseling skills versus psychotherapy skills for many professionals already recognized in Italy. Dr. Bacchini is looking to start certification of counseling seminars for doctors, nurses, and social workers for the purpose of reaching more individuals. His session overall was very eye opening in regards to the huge steps counseling in Italy is taking that now that the United States has taken in the past 40 years. Still processing what I have taken away from this session – more to come later.
Our second session was about Play Therapy by Dr. Terry Christensen. FABULOUS. She talked about how play therapy helps children the same way that talking during counseling helps adults. She re-enforced many of the ideas that I learned about during my two play therapy classes at UAB. Her enthusiasm about play therapy as a whole was incrediably rejuvenating and motivating. We watched two tapes of sessions with children of trauma in play therapy and this helped me transfer the content behind play therapy to real life. Dr. Christensen has a great deal of experience and interaction with individuals behind the development of play therapy. She has written some literature about the topic as well and I am interested in reading this upon my return. She talked about advancement in the field of counseling as a play therapist as well advocacy for children. I am processing a great deal about this session and hope to talk more with Dr. Christensen about play therapy during the rest of my trip. This is my area of motivation along with working in the school. More self-actulization and growth to follow.
In the evening, we ate another fantastic dinner. I never seem to eat too much to feel stuffed but enough to feel satisfied. After dinner it was socialization time in the sitting room. Great conversation again. Talked with Dr. Pat Thomas about doctorate programs and searching for a good fit. Watched the phenomenal sunset and took pictures. Then it was off to bed with another beautiful view and peaceful sounds =)
No comments:
Post a Comment