Students examine what it means to be an effective helping professional, including use of self as a helper, reflective practice, ethical guidelines, and navigating ethical dilemmas. Topics include models of practice for evidence-based helping relationships, screening tools, and system navigation. The course focuses on mindful communication: oral and written communication, interviewing skills, empathetic listening, paraphrasing, perception-checking, questioning, affirming, and appropriate documentation. A two-hour lab component partners theoretical content with practical skills.