COUNSELING REPORT

I. Presenting Problem:
There is a higher position opened in the program at work where I was assigned.
The position has a higher salary grade but I was having a second thought if I will apply
for the position.

The department require internal candidates to go through a similar hiring

process as external candidates. Since I’m already a part of the program, there are
likely many things that are known about my job performance already, which can be an
advantage to me. Our section head keeps on encouraging me to apply for the position
but I’m having a second thought because some of my colleagues will be applying too.
Most of them are more experienced in handing cases when they were once employed
in private child placement and child caring agencies. They were all skilled and their
experiences matches the job description needed for the position.

I think, I will only waste time to review for the exam and job interview as well,
because I believe that I have a slim chance to get the position. The new position
requires a higher level of responsibility and higher level of authority within the
department. Deep inside of me, I know that I’m qualified and deserving as well but I
keep thinking that it will be a safe choice if I will not apply for the promoted position
because it is very difficult to balance my career, studies and my responsibilities at
home.

II. Source of Difficulty:

I worry that I’m less competent than my coworkers especially that they have
experiences that matches the job description. I think, my abilities and characteristics
are inferior to those of my colleagues. I may be working with the department for five
years but I have less experience in case management because I’ve been working with
the different programs of the department. I constantly question my skills in case
management — and thinking that others are questioning them, too. Sometimes, I avoid
taking on new projects for fear of failure. I feel reactive especially when hearing
feedbacks.

I also fear how my colleagues will react if I will get the position. Me and my
colleagues will be applying for the position and I’m worried that the candidates
(including me) who will not get the position may feel hostile, disillusioned and unwilling
to work with the person who will be promoted. If the promoted employee will be
managing his or her former coworkers, relationships could become tense and difficult.

As a working a mother, it is very difficult for me to balance my career, studies

and my responsibilities at home. I’m worried that I may have less time with my children
if I ever I will be promoted. I remember how sad I was when I had to go for a field work
for a month. I felt guilty about leaving my children especially my youngest child. I was
torn because I needed to earn money (and the fact that I really enjoyed my job),

Jane S. Backong Mag 1 GC206 Counseling Theories and Techniques 1|P age
 worried about what would happen while I was away and sad about missing a day with
my children.

III. Counselor’s Intervention and Processing:

One source of difficulty may include minimization because I don’t believe in my capacity.
I won’t go for that promotion because I think I’m not qualified. Also, I feel inferior to my colleagues
and view myself, experiences and skills as less capable than my colleagues. It is important to
reframe my negative and/or damaging thoughts and beliefs. I need to build more self-confidence
and to surround myself with people who could uplift me.

I’m also being anxious of my colleague’s reaction if I will get the position. I prefer to play
safe because I’m afraid of what will happen on the other side of the critique. I feel reactive
especially when hearing feedbacks because I fear being ridiculed or rejected. With this, it will be
beneficial if I will stop worrying about what other people think. I need to cultivate more self-
awareness and develop a stronger and much deeper sense of myself.

In relation to the application for the promoted position, there are a variety of decision-
making techniques. One is to identify the pros-and-cons in order to arrive to an informed decision.
There is hardly an easier method than the good old pros-and-cons list to make decisions. It is
also helpful to review my individual development plan (IDP). The IDP tool will help to assist
employees in career and personal development since its primary purpose is to help employees
reach short and long-term career goals, as well as improve current job performance. As a social
worker, we also have social worker career goals which includes activities we plan to accomplish
in our career as a social worker. These are milestones social workers set to help improve our
professional development. Social worker career goals are important in helping us continue
developing professionally and learning new knowledge. Having social worker career goals can
help us earn promotions. As we gain more experience, we can advance in our career with higher
positions, and earn more responsibilities. Other benefits of social worker career goals include
increasing our work motivation, making a difference in the lives of clients and increasing our self-
esteem.

Being a mother and a career woman, it is important to put emphasis on time

management. Essentially, good time management matters because it means I spend more time
doing what truly matters to me and feel better about how I’m using my time. Balancing work and
family can be chaotic; thus, I should plan, schedule and run routines to create order out of chaos.
I should get better in managing my time in the workplace on a daily basis. I should set family
goals and look forward together with family.

Prepared by:

JANE S. BACKONG-QUIZZAGAN
Counselor

Jane S. Backong Mag 1 GC206 Counseling Theories and Techniques 2|P age