BASIC CONCEPTS IN COUNSELLING
DEFINITION
An interaction between a counsellor and client that maximizes
the probability that the client EXPLORES, UNDERSTANDS
and TAKES ACTION to resolve problems/change behaviour.
Concepts Cntd.
The interaction – trusting, issue centered, goal-oriented.
The Process – exploring, evaluating, discovering, clarifying and
understanding feelings and concerns as well as the problems.
The Goal – behaviour change, decision making, relief of
feelings etc.
Concepts Cntd.
What Counselling is Not
• Giving advice
• Guidance
• Education
• Conversation
• Interrogation
• Confession
• Prayer
• Information giving
• Ongoing therapy
Qualities of a Good Counsellor
Brain Storm
Conditions that facilitate Counselling
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Internal Conditions
Respect
Empathy
Genuineness
Attentiveness/Accessibility
Conditions that facilitate Counselling
External Conditions
• Physical Setting
• Seating Arrangement
• Privacy
• Confidentiality
The Counselling Process
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Three main stages
Beginning (Relationship building/exploratory stage)
• Put client at ease and build trust
• Ask what the problems is
• Find how the client would like the problem solved or managed
• Clarify what the client expects from counselling
• Describe the help the counsellor can realistically give
• Give realistic hope for change or assistance
• State the counsellors commitment to work with the client and elicit theirs
also
• Assure client of confidentiality and state any limits to confidentiality.
Beginning Stage Cntd.
The Beginning stage would often determine whether a person will
return for more sessions or not.
Skills Used
Establishing rapport
Active listening
Middle (Information Gathering/Understanding stage)
The goal is to gather information to
understand the client and his/her problem
better and help him/her to do so also.
• To discover coping abilities and vulnerabilities
• To support the continuing expression and discussion of feelings
• To help the client move towards acceptance and control.
End (Action and Resolution) Stage
After building trust and clarifying the problem
and the client’s strength and vulnerabilities the
counsellor should encourage and support the
client to do the following:
• Rethink the problem in ways that provide solutions e.g. consider
different options
• Work out a plan of action that will lead to a solution or change. The
plan should consider the client’s values, strength, weakness and
willingness to execute the plan.
End Stage Cntd.
• Carry out the plan – No solution or change can occur unless
this is done so
• Encourage, admonish, lovingly insist on accountability
• Give homework
• Identify others who can help
• Follow up
End Stage Cntd.
• Evaluate the counseling help in terms of changes in
behaviour or solutions to problems. Evaluation involves
documenting baseline behaviours and problems so
change can be measured.
End Stage Cntd.
It is not always that a counsellor can help
clients solve problems or change behaviour.
Sometimes the just need someone to care
e.g. psychotic clients. To do so
• Listen
• Use verbal and non verbal behaviour to support and encourage.
Termination
Counseling must end at some point.
A dependent relationship is not desirable.
Ending the close relationship between the
counsellor and the client can be difficult for
both therefore termination should be carefully
and gradually planned in order to
• Ensure maintenance of coping skills
• Support the maintenance of behavioral changes
• Assure the client of continuing help with handling future problems
Termination Cntd.
• Review plans for the management of problems and
• Make sure that al needed and available resources and
referrals have been identified and are being used.
• Ensure that the sad feelings and pain of losing the warm
ongoing relationship is acknowledged and expressed by both
counsellor and client.