Reasons For Choosing Psychology Classes - Assignment Example

Reasons For Choosing Psychology Classes I have always wanted to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Covering and successfully going through the various classes or units in psychology forms the basis of counseling as a career choice. This paper describes the reasons I chose psychology classes, the most meaningful and important things I learnt, how my learned skills and knowledge affects my life, and how I will use my skills and knowledge in achieving my future career goals. There are various definitions of counseling psychology. According to Gerstein (2009), “The counseling psychology division of the Hong Kong Psychological Society defined Counseling Psychology as the application of psychological knowledge, psycho-therapeutic skills and professional judgment to facilitate enhanced human functioning and quality of life” (p. 19). My parents instilled in me the positive values and ideals that have enabled me to develop the desire to help and assist people in need. People are faced with many difficulties in life and therefore suffer from many psychological illnesses such as depression. Such kind of people requires counseling for the recuperation process to be successful. In addition, I have been fascinated by the way various organs in the body functions especially the human mind since I was in primary school. The human brain is created or designed in such a way that it shuts down when tired and the individual falls asleep. The capacity of the brain to make resolutions and pronouncements based on the needs of the individual and the individual requirements at a particular time is a wide or broad area that necessitates more research (Brown & Lent, 2008). Through observing individual behaviors, I am sure I will contribute to the current and future research geared towards comprehension of the activities of the brain and what drives people to make particular pronouncements. This has always been one of my goals in life. There are other factors in my life that have given me the motivation to pursue a course in counseling psychology. There is a common saying that asserts that a problem shared is a problem half solved. I have the capacity to effectively pay attention to people, listen to them without interrupting, and offer my in-felt advice to help them. I have also had occasions in my life that my friends have helped me a lot through advice and offering to listen to my problems and through these experiences, I vowed to always help or assist people as much as I could. These factors have contributed a great deal in my choice of psychology. Important and Meaningful things learned in my psychology classes Through successfully completing Abnormal Psychology class, I have gained appropriate knowledge as well as understanding on the various mental illnesses that affect people today. I have comprehended the factors that cause mental illnesses, how to identify the prevalence or occurrence of a mental illness, and also the various methods of treatment and therapy. In other words, I have gained the ability and skill to differentiate individuals with mental illnesses or problems from normal individuals. Through the Introduction to Counseling class, I have acquired effective skills necessary in connecting and formation of relationships with other people, and also improved my communication skills. In Introduction to clinical psychology class, students learn a variety of medical and scientifically proven distinguishing features, traits, and attributes of mental illnesses, as well as medically proven treatment techniques geared towards assisting individuals with these illnesses (Blocher, 2000). Many researchers have in the past postulated different models and hypotheses that try to explain human behavior. A class or unit in Personality Theories covers all these researchers and their contributions to psychology (Palmer, 2000). Through learning these hypotheses in class, I have gained knowledge on how to characterize individual personality features hence the ability and skills to relate personality theories to individual lives. According to Goldstein (2008), Cognitive psychology is involved with investigating and evaluating individual psychological procedures particularly the thoughts and philosophies of individuals, how people identify what to learn, and as well retain information. Therefore I have gained knowledge on the though process and the functions of the brain. In History and Systems of Psychology Class, I learnt the relevance of historical accounts and techniques of psychology. Through successfully completing physiological psychology class, I was able to understand and gain insight in the ways the brain and other organs in the body functions and how they relate to individual ways of conduct. I was also able to learn how various animals acquire their skills and abilities to function they ways they do and yet they are not able to communicate like human beings. Through the Human Development through Lifespan class, I learnt and widened my comprehension on ways to classify and categorize psychological problems faced by human beings across their various stages in life (Nelson-Jones, 2012). How my skills and knowledge have affected my life Covering the various classes in psychology has affected my life in a number of ways. This course is created in a manner in which allows the learner to gain knowledge how individual behave and what pushes them to perform in particular a manner. Due to the fact that I have the necessary knowledge on how an individual can their own individual behaviors especially anger management, I have adopted ways of life that enables or helps me to avoid anger and manage it as well. Learning psychology has helped me to have a clear understanding and comprehension of life in general. Through observing people’s behavior, I am now able to understand their needs. Friends are very important in the life of an individual. Having the ability to understand people through observing the way the talk and act has helped me identify who is a genuine friend from those who fake friendships. In doing so, I have surrounded myself with people who can help me in times of need. Attainment of future career goals I will use my acquired skills and knowledge in counseling psychology in a number of ways to assist people and as well help them recuperate from their psychological problems geared towards accomplishment of my goals. Counseling involves a lot of communication and forming relationships with people (Kottler & Shepard, 2010). Through incorporating my learned and advanced communication skills, I will be able to identify underlying mental problems disturbing various individuals and subsequently present to them appropriate advice and therapy. My comprehension of the various theories of personality will help me classify individual behaviors appropriately and also plan for their therapy or counseling. My knowledge and skills in counseling psychology leant through successfully completing my psychology classes will enable me relate theory with practice. In other words, I will be able to incorporate my skills and knowledge in assisting mentally troubled individuals manage their ways of thinking and manners of actions, transform their estranged and unstable manners of conduct. My knowledge in psychology and counseling will also help me present my clients with abilities, and information geared towards assisting them tackle and as well deal with various difficulties in life (Berk, 2013). In conclusion, pursuing a course in psychology forms the basis through which an individual can end up in counseling as a career. Skills and knowledge in counseling psychology changes the manner in which an individual views life in general as s/he is able to relate the acquired skills and knowledge in his/her daily life. Therefore, s/he is able to uphold and maintain mental sobriety. These skills and knowledge can also be used to help others identify and confront their psychological problems and consequently better their lives. References Berk, L. E. (2013). Development through the Lifespan. New York, USA: Pearson Education. Blocher, D. (2000). The Evolution of Counseling Psychology. New York, USA: Springer Publishing Company. Brown, S. D., & Lent, R. W. (2008). Handbook of Counseling Psychology. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Gerstein, L. H. (2009). International Handbook of Cross-Cultural Counseling: Cultural Assumptions and Practices Worldwide. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publication. Goldstein, E. B. (2008). Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research and Everyday Experience. New York, USA: Cengage Learning. Kottler, J. A., & Shepard, D. S. (2010). Introduction to Counselling: Voices from the Field. New York, USA: Cengage Learning. Nelson-Jones, R. (2012). Introduction to Counseling Skills: Text and Activities. New York, USA: Springer Publishing Company. Palmer, S. (2000). Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy: The Essential Guide. London, UK: Sage Publication. Read More