Richard Yep, CEO of ACA
A Are you a "best kept secret"? Does your community know the great work that you and your professional advisors are doing? Are other members of your college community aware of academic rigor, research, and science among those who describe themselves as "counselor educators"? Do the parents, faculty, and administrators at your school know about the hard work, compassion, and long days you devote to your K-12 students? How about those of you who work in private practice, rehabilitation, career development or study advice centers? Professional advisors also work hard in companies, municipalities, government agencies, the military, hospitals, religious organizations and many other work environments.
Regardless of the work environment, many of you are likely to qualify as unsung heroes. Granted, you may get awards from your customers or students, but does your community really know about the good work you are doing? Do you hesitate to promote it because it feels like blowing your own horn? Don't think about it that way. It's really about letting your peers and members of your community know that professional advisors are doing incredibly important work to improve the lives of those they interact with. Consultants are key to ensuring that communities stay safe, productive, and healthy for people.
I know that many of you don't feel like you have the time or energy to do anything else after spending very long days in challenging situations. However, if we all took a little time to spread the good word about advice, the burden would be much less. The media is a great way to spread the word about the amazing work you do. Journalists often look for stories to write or topics to report on. Contact your local newspaper or the television or radio stations in your city. I have spoken to many of you over the years and continue to be in awe of the work you are doing. You are special people and your communities have the right to know about your many efforts to change and improve life.
If you need help telling the media about your work, here is an example from ACA that describes the scope of practice for professional advice:
"The independent counseling practice includes the provision of professional counseling services for individuals, groups, families, couples and organizations using recognized and established principles, methods, procedures and ethics of psychosocial counseling.
“Counseling promotes the well-being of mental health, which includes achieving social, professional and emotional development over the entire lifespan as well as the prevention and treatment of mental disorders and the provision of crisis interventions.
“Counseling includes, but is not limited to, psychotherapy, diagnosis, and evaluation; Management of ratings, tests and ratings; referral; and the creation of counseling plans for the treatment of individuals, couples, groups and families with emotional, mental, addiction and physical disorders.
“Consulting includes consultation and program evaluation; Program management within and to schools and organizations; and training and monitoring interns, trainees and pre-licensed professional advisors through recognized and established principles, methods, procedures and ethics of adviser oversight.
"Consulting practice does not include functions or practices that are not included in the training or upbringing of the specialist."
I would suggest that you take a look at this somewhat formal description and include it when you talk to the media about your work. Inform the media members about your specific role in professional advice as well as about your education, training and licenses. Make sure you refer to how you and your counselors are helping the local community. You will be surprised how interested some journalists will be. I hope to hear from some of you how it goes when you blow the horn for consultants.
As always, I look forward to your comments, questions and thoughts. Call me at 800-347-6647. 231 or email me at [email protected]. You can also follow me on Twitter
@Richyep. Be healthy.
