Transcript Advocacy_in_Counseling

Advocacy in
Counseling
Advocacy in the counseling world involves
“identifying groups of people who might
benefit from increasing their own strength”
(Lewis Lewis, Daniels, & D’Andrea, 1998,p.25).
Advocacy
A Voice for Our Clients and Communities
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Regardless of the work setting, counselors are
confronted again and again with issues that can
not be resolved within the individual.
All too often negative aspects of the environment
impinge on a client’s wellbeing, intensifying or
creating obstacles.
When such situations arise, effective counselors
take action!
Definition of Advocacy
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Give an example of a
time you were an
advocate or when
someone advocated
for you.
What is your definition
of an advocate?
Share with partner.
Advocates…
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Speak up
Take action
Plead on behalf of a
client or social cause
Challenge institutional
or social barriers
Working Definition
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Working with or on behalf of individual or
groups of vulnerable consumers to:
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Obtain services or resources
Modify policies, procedures, or practices with
adverse impact
Promote new legislation or policies
Skills and Attitudes of Advocates
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Capacity for
commitment
Appreciation for
human suffering
Communication skills
Ability to use multisystems perspective
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Ability to use
individual, group, and
organizational change
strategies
Media skills
Technological
competencies
Assessment and
research skills
Exercise
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Count Dracula
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The group’s task is to
formulate a plan to save
the world by stopping
Count Dracula from
initiating a new reign of
terror by vampires.
Instructions
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Read the situation sheet
Individually, use the ranking sheet to rank items
from most important (1) to least important (12)
Working cooperatively in your group come to a
consensus of the rankings using the same scale.
Compare your individual and group rankings to
the “expert” rankings. (supplied by the instructor)
Results
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The lower the score, the more accurate the
ranking.
0 – 20 excellent (we’re saved)
21 – 30 good (we have a chance)
31 – 40 poor (uh-oh)
41+ terrible (we’re dead)
Point of the exercise…
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What did you learn
from the exercise?
Analysis of the Group Activity
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What were the patterns of communication among
the group?
What determined how influential each group
member was?
How did the group make decisions and how
effective was it?
Did the group members challenge one another’s
conclusions?
Were there conflicts and how were they resolved?
Why is knowledge of groups
important for advocates?
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Effective groups are
usually more effective
and efficient than
individuals!
Effective Groups
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Goals
Communication
Leadership and
Participation
Power
Decision making