COUN 540
Foundations

In considering the counseling process, think of a beginning, a middle and an end – each with main areas of focus/tasks to accomplish. Think process.
*Applies as a whole (1 st to last session)
*Within sessions
Built upon a solid foundation of relationship, moving forward toward goals…a blend of art and of science
Applies in all theoretical orientations

Stage One: Relationship building
Stage Two: Assessment and diagnosis
Stage Three: Formulation of counseling goals
Stage Four: Intervention and problem solving
Stage Five: Termination and Follow Up
Stage Six: Research and evaluation

Tasks here include…
*Laying foundations for trust
*Establishing the structure and form the relationship will take
*Informed consent process
*Articulating roles of counselor and client – developing a collaborative working alliance

Consider how do we develop rapport, create relationship with our clients?
What is it that we bring to the relationship that helps us create a foundation of trust and willingness to work collaboratively toward goals?
Core Conditions Necessary for Successful Counseling
Originally proposed by Rogers (1957)
*Empathetic understanding
*Unconditional positive regard
*Congruence
Carkuff (1969) adds to these…
*Respect * Confrontation *Immediacy * Concreteness *Self disclosure

Empathy  promotes rapport and relationship
Unconditional Positive Regard  Client as person of worth – separate from actions
Congruence 
Respect 
Immediacy 
Genuine self in client interaction
Strength focus
Here and Now
Confrontation 
Concreteness 
Promotes realistic, accurate view
Attention on what is practical
Self disclosure --> Promoting positive perception and appropriate focus in counseling relationship
Nystul (2003)

Early stages of the counseling relationship afford the chance to build counselor understanding of client and issues faced. Using counseling skills to gather information, to begin to formulate impressions
Do…
Use listening skills and attend to nonverbals
Listen for the underlying communication
Don’t…
Be a judgmental counselor
Jump to conclusions
Make language errors (e.g.parroting, jargon)

Gathering information to promote understanding of client’s situation and perspective…..
phenomenological
Completion of intake/of psychosocial
Standardized (e.g. psychological tests) and
Non standardized (e.g. clinical interview) tools
Completion of Risk Assessment where appropriate
Diagnosis

Identifying the nature of the presenting problem – what kind of change is sought
Counselor role moreso in helping the client articulate than in pronouncing for them
Seeing problem in-context to the client’s larger world.
Keeping an eye on strengths and resources.
Counselor builds hypotheses during this stage and throughout

The client articulates where they want their counseling journey to take them
*Client role as one of the change process driving the bus
*Enhances sense of ownership and motivation – factors important in
Well identified goals help create a roadmap and means to evaluate
Goals may change, evolve as therapy progresses

1. To change an unwanted or unwelcome behavior
2. To better cope
3. To make and implement decisions
4. To enhance relationships
5. To help client’s journey of growth toward achieving potential
Nystul (2003)

Begins as soon as goals are established – this is plan for how to achieve them
Action…directed in accord with new perspectives
Talked about…but lived
Collaboratively established plan works best
Educational in that client is offered information regarding options, and advantages/disadvantages for each

New perspectives on both the way clients have looked at the problem and ways they might approach it
*Confrontation vs Carefrontation
*Self Disclosure as appropriate
*A clear, simple plan toward goals

Characteristics of a good treatment plan…
*goals are clearly defined and reachable
*plan able to be adapted with time
*positive and action-oriented focus
Essential to an effective plan…is client’s motivation and willingness to follow it

Pre-Contemplation
Contemplation
Preparation/Determination
Action
Maintenance
Relapse
See this resource for addictions focus: http://www.addictioninfo.org/articles/11/1/Stages-of-
Change-Model/Page1.html

Begins with clearly articulated problem and priority from client’s perspective
*primary (presenting) vs underlying
Clearly defined, broad goals – global
Objectives – behaviorally stated, steps on way to broader goal – mindful of accountability
Interventions to be utilized by counselor

Problem: Repeated angry outbursts out of proportion to precipitating event
Goal: Significantly reduce intensity and frequency of angry outbursts
Objectives: Parents clearly define rules and boundaries and follow through with child
Intervention: Assist parent in the process of identifying and presenting rules and consequences to child

Collaboration with client in identifying a date in advance –
Note that today, Managed care may dictate
Role to review progress, create closure in client counselor relationship and plan for future
Think of this as a means of empowering client

Counselor always mindful of avoiding fostering dependency and is aware of own needs
Preparation for termination begins long before
Open door / plan for possibility of future need
Termination considered not just at end of successful relationship, but also is considered when it seems counseling is not being helpful

Really completed throughout the counseling process – reflected in…
*Generating hypotheses
*Trying intervention strategies
*Determining if/when goal is met
A plan for evaluation