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Patricia A. Crew
Master Career Counselor MA, LCPC, NBCC
Patricia has almost 30 years of experience helping individuals pursue, change, manage and advance their careers. As well as a Masters degree in counseling from Catholic University, Patricia has completed numerous post-graduate classes in counseling and career development at Johns Hopkins University.
Patricia previously worked as the Career Development Manager for the Montgomery County Government and as a career counselor for the Montgomery County Commission for Women.
She continues to be a featured speaker with recent presentations topics that include: Secrets to Predicting Career Success That Only You Know, Get Out of Your Own Way To Get What You Want in Your Career and Winning Strategies to Enhance Your Worth at Work.
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COMPREHENSIVE CAREER COUNSELING CAN HELP YOU TO: |
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~ Gain a clear understanding of your core strengths. ~ Do a thorough career exploration. ~ Manage a career change. ~ Improve your work performance. ~ Remove artificial, organizational barriers to success. ~ Navigate thorny management issues. ~ Prevent derailment by building strategic alliances.
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| CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
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"Trisha values my perspectives, opinions, and goals in all
the advice and strategies she offers. Our sessions provide me a safe opportunity to reflect and strategize on
my current position and career goals.
I know Trisha is trustworthy with sensitive topics and above all puts
herself in my shoes and cares deeply about my success in my current job as well
as my career growth. My individual experiences, perspectives and skills are considered,
appreciated and utilized in plans and recommendations.
I cannot imagine my day-to-day work or career
future without her past and continuous support and input. Trisha's focus on me as an individual and her
expertise in career counseling truly are priceless."
- S.G.
Rockville, MD
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Volume 7: May 2009 Greetings!
Welcome
to the seventh edition of my Comprehensive Career Counseling Newsletter. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I have
taken these next few editions in a new direction to address some of the
problems and opportunities facing many of us in the current turbulent times.
On the positive side in April 2009, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the lowest unemployment rate
among the 34 Metropolitan Divisions right here in the Washington Metropolitan
area. I have also noted that a number of my clients have secured promotions and new jobs during this recent time. There are still many opportunities out there!
But as one of my clients so aptly pointed out, it's hard not to fall into the "collective anxiety" out
there. Every day, we hear on the news about the uncertainty and unpredictability of life and the fluctuating job market. However, as noted in prior newsletters, now may be the time to focus and prepare for what will carry us through to a brighter time in the future.
Selecting a career counselor with an appropriate background, training and skills to
facilitate your transition could well be your most important next step. In this
issue I begin to discuss some of the criteria for choosing counselors to guide you in this difficult task.
I have two workshops coming up in the early summer:
On June 5th, I will be presenting for the Employee Assistance Program, Potomac Chapter at the Adventist Health Care Support Center on Research Blvd. in Rockville, Maryland (www.potomaceapachapter.org). The title of the presentation is Career Counseling Strategies and Tips: Helping Clients Facing
Turbulence at Work.
On June 11th, I will be presenting at the CFO Support Group held at Teq Corner (www.teqcorner.com). The
meeting begins at 4:00 pm and is for both men and women. The title of the presentation is: Characteristics of Successful Job Hunters. This meeting is designed for the CFO in transition but welcomes all finance and accounting professionals.
I'd also like to remind you that I am now seeing clients on alternating Wednesday and Thursday afternoons
and evenings in Washington,
D.C. at the following location: 1700 17th Street, NW, Suite 201.
And finally, I'd like to encourage you to visit my new Web site at www.crewcounseling.com
if you haven't done so already.
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What Clients Should
Expect From Good Counseling Relationships
In times of difficulty, confusion and
unremitting stress, how can you find relief from stresses and express your
concerns, feelings and ideas? Research has shown that participating in an
effective counseling relationship can provide measurable value when facing what
may seem like insurmountable problems. But when seeking a counselor, what should clients expect from a good
counseling relationship?
Recently, when concluding a counseling
session, a young male client commented that he had received "complete unbiased
listening." In a group setting, a
middle-aged female client indicated that for the first time in her attempts to
process a significant loss, she felt "totally respected." They are both expressing the feelings that
result from a successful counseling relationship.
Studies have shown that there are three
key elements that should be present in
an effective counseling relationship.
Safety,
Trust and Confidentiality
In a counseling relationship, you can truly
express what you're thinking and feeling and be certain that it will be held in
strict confidence. In contrast to the
work place or even family and friends, the counseling relationship is an
opportunity for you to open up and feel safe with someone who can be objective.
Listening
In our modern, hectic, day-to-day
existence, even our most trusted others can be overwhelmed with the demands and
uncertainties of life. A solid
counseling relationship offers the opportunity for exclusive listening without
distractions and interruptions. Judgment
is suspended and you are able to express yourself with depth and honesty knowing
you will be treated with respect and dignity.
As one of my clients so aptly commented: "I expect that what happens in my counselor's
office to stay there." In other words, she
feels that her career counselor is the one person that she is able to let her hair
down with and say what's on her mind. She can share what's in her soul, knowing that not only will she get an
open ear, sympathy, advice and wake-up calls, but she will also know that what she
says will remain confidential. She continued
by saying that "If I didn't feel that way, I wouldn't keep returning for
counseling when I find my work situation evolving and am confronted with new
and difficult experiences."
Transparency and Honesty
An effective counselor is completed
riveted on your needs without an agenda of his/her own. You can expect sensitivity to your situation
complemented by honesty and openness regarding your needs, goals and objectives. Grounded in a relationship of trust, you can
combat the feeling of being overwhelmed and move forward to creative problem
solving.
When seeking counseling help with the
next step in your life choices, consider these three elements when you select
the counselor. While there are other important factors to consider, if one of
these is missing, the relationship will probably not be as effective as it
could be when all three are present.
In my next newsletter I will address
other necessary components in making a decision about selecting an appropriate
career counselor. Until then, for further information about choosing an appropriate counselor go to the American Counseling Association at www.counseling.org or the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of Maryland at www.lcpcm.org.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
The Nonprofit Career Guide: How to Land a Job that Makes a
Difference by Shelley Cryer (2008)
"Beginning with an insightful exposition of the nonprofit world, this handbook
provides concrete strategies and pavement-pounding tips for securing the ideal
job for those wanting a career that makes a difference."
BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It by Peggy
Klaus (2004)
"The purpose of this book is not to teach you to make a lot of pretentious
noise. It's to teach you to master the
art of bragging (self-promotion)." Included are specific techniques to help you develop Bragologues and Brag
bites which can be utilized to enhance your image from interviewing, performance
reviews and on the spot opportunities to effectively promote yourself.
Jean Stafford, executive coach of Executive Coaching for Women Inc., specializes in the unique demands made on executive women. If you're in need of help in overcoming traditional barriers, identifying new business opportunities, and achieving new levels of both personal and professional satisfaction, I highly recommend that you contact Jean at 703-759-4862 or go to www.jeanstafford.com.
- Ready to Work
First Tuesday of the month, 6:00 pm
- Transition Roundtable - TelecomHUB
Second Tuesday of
the month, 4:00 pm
- CFO Support Group Second Thursday of the month, 4:00 pm For more information, contact ardell.fleeson@cbre.com. |
PARTNERS CORNER
Marva Goldsmith
Most people
have a vision of what they want to achieve but don't understand that their
words, actions and image may be holding them back. Marva Goldsmith, a Certified
Image Professional, delivers image and branding services through workshops,
workbooks, consulting and branded collateral development that helps her clients
market their best self. Preview her new website at urbanbuzzblog.com. |
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| As always, I look forward to your feedback.
Sincerely,
Patricia Crew
Comprehensive Career Counseling
trishacrew@aol.com
301-838-9456
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