Philanthropy in the helping profession: An overview and introductory workshop intended to support counselors and counselors in training

Author

Matthew Higgins, James Madison UniversityFollow

Preferred Name

Matthew Higgins

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Date of Graduation

5-9-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Educational Specialist (EdS)

Department

Department of Graduate Psychology

Advisor(s)

Amanda Evans

Kenson Hiatt

Abstract

Many new counseling professionals enter the field with a deep understanding of the therapeutic relationship but lack knowledge of the financial realities that sustain counseling services. Traditional training prioritizes building rapport with clients, leaving a gap in understanding the business side of the helping profession. As the demand for therapy increases, particularly in the United States, it's crucial for counselors to explore innovative solutions to sustain the field in the long term. Integrating education on philanthropic support into counselor training offers a creative approach that would fall in line with the ACA Code of Ethics. While more research needs to be conducted, and the education program design needs to be evaluated and revised, it will do the following for new counselors and counselors in training: Introduce national trends in philanthropy to establish an understating of where charitable giving is today and where clinicians can be a part. Foundation of Giving introduces the core principles of philanthropic empowerment. It exposes clinicians to leverage philanthropy as a means of trauma-informed care, individual empowerment, and a tool in which social advocacy is conducted. By weaving these elements into counselor training, a bridge can extend over this existing education gap. This prepares graduates to navigate the financial landscape, ensuring long-term sustainability for counseling services. Moreover, this newly acquired knowledge empowers counselors to be effective social advocates, aligning with the ethical obligations outlined in the ACA Code of Ethics.

Recommended Citation

Higgins, Matthew, "Philanthropy in the helping profession: An overview and introductory workshop intended to support counselors and counselors in training" (2024). Educational Specialist, 2020-current. 89.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/edspec202029/89