My Journey Through Mental Health Education

Just finishing one of my shorter courses this semester and in the Extra Credit column, our instructor asked for a brief review of anything pertaining to mental health and counseling. For one of mine I upon a book. Well, I can't really do a review/critique so I decided to do a pre-review based on the introduction. I thought it was pretty clever, and my instructor is well aware of my quirky personality in writing.

In fact, he actually said he enjoyed it very much but would really prefer to get them a bit shorter. I did what he asked, for the most part, LOL. Somethings just need MORE than others, right? I sent him THIS and bought the book! Because "truth be told", I NEED what's in it as much as any client I will work with.

The Strength of Self-Acceptance

A synapse of the book

By Rachel Ann

In my search for an article, I came upon this book. My search was for children suffering from self-esteem issues, and whala this is what I got. This book is about exploring different theologies, psychological theories, and therapies views on self-acceptance as the KEY to resolving misery. It includes my favorite Karl Rogers in there with Maslow and “third wave” cognitive-behavioral and self-regulation approaches from Hayes and Wilson. So I bought it and intend to digest this after this course.

In this book, they are going to intertwine findings on the importance of self-acceptance when it comes to the fulfillment of happiness in people’s lives. That there is a distinct division between self-acceptance and self-esteem. Each participating researcher or theologian is convinced that self-acceptance must be valued and a positive character trait. And that it can and should be developed through therapeutic and educational processes.

As a former childcare worker (and county advocate) I KNOW this to be true. In my programs, I made it a point to incorporate self-acceptance, awareness, and care. I observed many changes in children that came through the program because of what our curriculum was based upon. Not that I took notes or did a case study, but I still know many of them who turned their lives around completely, once they KNEW they were worth more than the environment they were currently in.

Funny thing is, I am just beginning to do this for myself. I taught so many (including my own) and yet I fail to recognize the importance for myself. Until now. Better late than never, right?

I believe this book carries a balance for me. A balance of science and spirituality that I NEED. My approach to counseling will be of the same quality and I feel as though this book will provide me with some pretty incredible insight. Because my heart is with helping people attain this at a much earlier stage in life, if at all possible. There is nothing more freeing than accepting who you truly are, while also respecting the right of others to do the same. That you do so without judgment upon yourself, or them, for simply being happy with who they are. That is my desire because I know how torturous it can be to spend too many years living to please others.

I have no idea how I will accomplish this but I know that I need to. So right now I am here gathering my tools of the trade and this book seems to be a fit!

** I wanted to be certain he approved of my submission before sending it out to all of you. He did. Although it was NOT what was asked, I got close enough for it to count. He and I know I do not need the extra credit. But I LOVE the subject of psychology! And I love how the brain works and learn how we can aid in the process of producing better outcomes for ourselves. The different techniques for the different situations are great but I truly believe that any chance a person has to stop behavior that is not producing desirable outcomes, will have to START with them. Because it started with them to begin with.