What's Personality Got to Do With It?

Writing for a recent Counseling Today deadline, I had the chance to revisit a number of personality assessments available for counselors to use when helping their clients learn make sense of their feelings and set goals for the future. It had been a long while since I had remembered the variety of tests we can use to deepen our understanding of our own sense of self - and the list of options has lengthened since I did my graduate work. The full story is here, including a sidebar list of the many assessments (most available online with self-scoring options) that anyone can use to get to know themselves better.

One of the interesting interviews I conducted for this story was with Prof. Art Clark, a counselor who has been using projective personality tests with clients since the 1970s. He made the point that counselors in particular may be well suited to using personality assessments with their clients due to the emphasis on relationship building in the counseling room. I particularly appreciate this point of view because it reminds me that my role is not to tell the client who they are or what their motivations should be (although some people come into counseling expecting that kind of arrangement). Rather, my training and experience invites me to be a companion on the journey with another person. Sure, I am curious about the direction we are taking and have a certain understanding of the obstacles that might be in our way, but I also am taking in the scenery alongside the client. This is one of the unique aspects of the counselor's approach. I am so glad to have this reminder of the many tools available on the journey.