Makwana Vidhi

10358941
COUN 133- Screening and Assessment
13-07-2025
Lenore Poplawsky

COUN 133 – Screening and Assessment Creative Self Change Project Template For Submission in
Week 10
This must be your own work completed in your own words. This is an INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT and
collaborating with peers is considered a violation of academic integrity. Use of generative AI,
including paraphrasing apps or predictive text (eg. Grammarly, quillbot, chatgpt) are not permitted.
Proofread your writing before submitting.
You may submit your one-page collage with this template or in person if it is not digital.
Provide full paragraph answers to each of the following questions on this required template. Do not
submit the answers separate from this template. The full submission (including the collage) is
assessed out of a grade of 25 for 10% of the final grade. The rubric is described on the assignment
outline posted to the Assessments folder and is also associated to the drop box folder.

1. Describe how each of the images you have provided relate to your goal and your experience
of change. Provide personal reflection and detail that makes thoughtful connects to the
process of change and the understanding of relapse (meaning returning to prior behaviour) (5
marks)

My behavioural change objective was to develop my communication skills and more so being
able to speak confidently in various situations. All five pictures in my collage are symbolic parts
of that journey. The first picture is captured in my classroom at college. During the lesson, I
could use the opportunity to ask my instructor a few questions. She was also much nurturing
and caring making me feel more confident. This was the first instance, when I am finally
speaking up like that in a classroom setting, and it taught me that it is fine to ask a question and
be curious. Image 2- I am with my friend on an outing. I talked to strangers outside, in the bus,
at eating places, and in the street. When speaking to a friend, I felt less nervous because my
friend stimulated me to talk. It took me out of my comfort zone but in a positive manner. Next,
in image 3, you may see that we had a small classroom group activity during which we were
supposed to construct a tower using paper cups. I engaged in the activities that involved my
teammates, and it made me understand that teamwork is enjoyable and profitable to
communicate with each other in a manner that is acceptable and respectful of one another.
Image 4 is of dinner with my part time job staff. I usually decline social invitations since I am
introverted, yet this time I could not refuse since it is an invitation. I began to accompany them,
and I had a good time during the evening. It allowed me to increase my capabilities of
communicating socially and enhancing better relationships with my workmates. The picture in
image 5 is at the mall, where I have returned something. I am normally afraid of being rude or
ignored by customer servicing people, however I went ahead and raised my voice. They were
nice and polite, and this experience helped me become more confident when managing minor
yet significant dialogues in everyday life. All these moments capture my process of
transformation which includes being open and courageous, involved in the process of
communication, whether personal, academic, or even with the general audience. Another
lesson that I have learned is that I know that occasionally I might experience periods of relapse
and get nervous once again, but now I will be able to use those positive memories and more
tools to go onward.
2. Explain what stage of change you were in during week 2 and what your experience has been
in the process of change since then, using the stages of change theory (described in Chapter 8
of course text). (5 marks)
I was at the contemplation phase presented in the Stages of Change model during Week 2. I
understood that I needed to polish up my communication skills, but, at the same time, I was not
so sure how to achieve it and whether I could. I had realized that keeping silent in the classroom
and not attending social events, not being able to express myself was something that was
holding me back, but I had not clearly taken steps toward it. Out of this, I have entered the
preparation and action phases. I started talking more in the classes, became a part of some
group activities, and even initiated conversations with people I did not know as well as
workplace colleagues. Speaking in the class to answer a question was one of them my teacher
was very nice and made me feel free to attempt. The other instance was in the mall where I was
returning an item despite avoiding such cases in the past because I would have feared doing it. I
have been gradually gaining confidence and am proud that I am no longer thinking but actually
working on the change.

3. Explain how someone did or could have supported you in working toward your goal and
describe how someone did or did not “meet you where you were at” regarding this change. (5
marks)
I had two influential individuals to assist me in the achievement of my communication objective.
The former was my professor at college that helped me to talk in the classroom. She answered
calmly and respectfully when I asked her a question, which made me think that I am being
listened to and not embarrassed. She understood where I was because she was patient and
calm, knowing that I was still nervous and learning. My friend, the second person, took me out
on an outing and pushed me to speak with the people in the real-life context of situations such
as the bus and the food stalls. She did not make me do it but encouraged me to do. Her
motivation made me feel better in the community. Both allowed me the distance and the
emotion of safety necessary to allow me to start small and manageable in practicing
communication. Such genuineness of support mattered a lot.

4. Describe what your next steps regarding this change goal will be and explain how your
experience of considering your own change will influence your understanding of helping the
person in our class assigned case study in making behavioural changes. (5 marks)
The subsequent actions that I will use to enhance my communication objective are to keep on
practicing assertive communication in various environments. I have a feeling that I would start
contributing more to my classes and raise my voice and sound more confident at my workplace.
I will also practice on improving my listening prowess, so that I will be in a better position to
have two-way [Link] retrospection my personal change experience, I have
understood that change is not an easy process requiring patience, time and support of the right
kind. Initially, I did not know whether to talk or not and I also required support of people who
understood my speed and my emotions. This experience can help me to imagine how the
person like Mark Reid could feel when beginning to consider changing his/her behaviour. He
does not really know whether he is willing to address the problem of his substance use or
gambling, yet the fact that he made the appointment demonstrates that he is ready to make a
first [Link], as in my case, could use positive, nonjudgmental communication. I would cajole
him to be where he is rather than pressuring him to quit immediately just as other people did to
me. I would discuss with him why he wanted to change (such 3as save money and maintain a
strong relationship), and I would assist him to have small but manageable goals. My own change
experience has made me learn that being safe and being understood is what makes people
more willing to make the next step and I want to do the same with other persons like Mark.