Drs. Parsons and Zhang

We are of the same mind when responding to this question and that is, wow! Just one point?

If we were forced to identify a single point to highlight, it would be the professional nature of what we do.[Page 364]

Counseling is an awesome process. It is a process that has evolved through the diligent research and pursuit of knowledge of so many within our profession. It is a process that finds structure in the codes of ethics (e.g., American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics) developed to not only protect those whom we serve, but to give form to that which is uniquely counseling. It is our hope that the reader found within the chapters of this text an answer to the question which was initially posed at the opening of Chapter 1, about why students need a course on the essentials of helping—an answer grounded in the science of our profession and now in the elemental formation of the reader's own professional identity.

Question: In the text, you make reference to the dynamic nature of the counseling process. Could you share from your own experience how this may actually look in practice and what special demands it places on the counselor?

Parsons and Zhang

When we say fluid or dynamic, what we are trying to highlight is that every client, every situation—in fact, every moment—in counseling is truly the first of its kind. Granted depression or anxiety may be viewed as syndromes with standard characteristics, but we don't treat depression, we work with people, not syndromes. We approach our work with models and theories expecting a certain progression to occur, but we also approach all of our work with a sense of awe and an openness to be surprised. It is during these moments of awe and surprise that we are directed to be flexible, adaptable, and fluid at any one moment.

While counseling has a scientific core one that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about its practice, the application of this science invites, no, requires, some artistry. It is like singing a song or playing a piece of music. The song or the music is the same to each singer or player, but the outcome of the performance can be very different from singer to singer or player to player because of the uniqueness of each individual and the dynamic created with such uniqueness of each individual singer or player. This uniqueness includes the person's experience, training, practice, as well as the individual's understanding of the music. So, the counselor's self-cultivation including his or her training and practice determines the effectiveness of helping. This self-cultivation also means that the counselor betters him- or herself in order to be flexible enough to adapt to his or her clients.

Question: Drs. Parsons and Zhang, you are not only authors and professors, but also you are both professional practitioners. What might this book reveal about your own professional identity?[Page 365]

Dr. Parsons

I value and hopefully embody within all that I do, the importance of approaching counseling both as process and profession from the perspective of a reflective practitioner. Knowing what I am doing and why I am doing it helps me assess the effectiveness of my practice, be it in my clinical office or classroom. In addition to such reflection on and in practice, I value the science and art of what we are called to do. I attempt to integrate my understanding of our emerging science with the artistry that allows for adaptation of this science to the uniqueness of the person and situation with whom I am engaged. Finally, I believe that mine is a profession that demands accountability—to client and to the profession itself.

In coauthoring this text with Dr. Zhang, I was once again reminded of the concept of intentionality and its role in the counseling process. Ours is not an exact science and, as such, there are no fixed templates that can be employed to guide our practice. Counselors are unique—just as are clients—but one point of consistency found among all within our profession is our desire to facilitate our client's growth and well-being. With that as a beacon guiding our practice, we approach what we do with mindfulness and a sense of intentionality.

Dr. Zhang

I grew up in China but had most of my education in the United States, education in the helping profession in particular. I have seen that my worldview has gradually been transformed from the Eastern into the Western view and I exercise my values based on situations. Professionally, I always believe that counseling is a combination of science and art. Four things that I hold dear and believe are central to my professional identity are my values, passion, role, and responsibilities. I love what I'm doing—teaching, research, and practice—and I consider the roles—teacher, researcher, and practitioner—that I play to be the utmost privilege and the responsibilities that I assume exalted. I also believe that my teaching should not only be based on theories but also my own research and practice. So, much of the information I included in this text reflects my personal experience and reveals my professional identity. But this is still just the beginning. I believe as a professional counselor one must be clear about his or her professional identity and make effort to let it evolve and develop.