The Big Portfolio

For those of us in the midst of counselling accreditation, the word ‘portfolio’ looms large.

For one word with three syllables it encompasses many facets, an accounting of hours, a broad stroke of accumulated experience with literal, albeit invisible, blood, sweat and tears.

Counselling training isn't for the faint heartened and nor should it be. If we are asking clients to trust us with their soul story, we cannot offer them any less. We sit through non-attendance, moments of doubt and sometimes painful self-reflection and when the boat rocks, we grab an oar to steady the waters, through peer support, posts in Counselling Tutor or a chat with fellow counsellors over a cuppa. These moments, challenging though they can be, are the best learning.

For the longest time, my portfolio folder seemed like an unending empty field, and felt, in all honesty, overwhelming. Then I thought of my clients. Those brave souls who sit in front of me talking about what hurts them the most and celebrating the wins, no matter what size, as they take one step at a time towards the life they want and deserve.

Then I began to understand, I'm not any different. I had to show up and take a small step. Going into the bowels of my hall cupboard, I retrieved my portfolio folder, opened it and started again. With the support of my supervisor, I made an appointment with myself on a weekly basis to show up and do a log, watch an online seminar, write a reflection, update my hours, and feel the joy of progress.

As our clients, not only gift us with their time and presence, they can also offer a mirror to an insight we can learn from and imbed within our own practice. Now, thanks to them, the big portfolio is not so scary anymore.