Psychological Fitness.

CITs can demonstrate self-reflection and self-care in many ways, including taking time to reflect on weekly individual supervision feedback and analyzing of recorded sessions. Both of these practices can help a counselor-in-training can become more aware of the areas of growth they can work on increasing their skills. It is also crucial for a CIT to take care of their own mental health, including frequent personal check-ins to ensure that they are well and then taking the time to address areas that may need more care.

Cultural Diversity.

Counselors-in-training can further embrace cultural diversity by making time to continue learning more about different cultures and belief systems, especially those that are different from their own. By acknowledging their shortcomings and biases, CITs are able to better prepare to honor the cultural diversity of their clients.

Genuiness.

Flexibility.

Self-awareness.

Counselors-in-training can become more self-aware in numerous ways. One way of increasing self-awareness is taking frequent opportunities to meditate and journal. Another is to take the feedback given by peers and supervisors and take time to recognize the areas that they can grow in. It is also crucial that CITs work to recognize areas of theirselves that could potentially lead to countertransference, or how their biases may show up in their practice.

Patience.

Empathy.

Counselors-in-training have an important role to play for clients, and empathy plays an essential role. CIT's can increase their empathy by continuing supervision, as well as fostering a space of understanding and kindness for all clients. While clinicians will undoubtedly have views and values that differ from their clients, it is essential that they continue to seek to meet them with curiousity and empathy.

Amiability.

Acceptance.

Acceptance is a crucial part of being a CIT in many different ways. Part of the work of counseling is being able to provide acceptance and understanding to different populations while working with them on their counseling journey. In addition, acceptance is crucial for CITs when given constructive criticism by supervisors, as this can help them to become stronger, more effective clinicians in the future.