Introduction to counseling & building and maintaining alliance

Flashcards on counseling, therapeutic alliance, and reflective practice.

Therapeutic Alliance

A collaborative relationship between ‘therapist’ and ‘client’, including shared goals, agreed upon tasks, and an emotional bond built upon mutual respect.

Counseling

Provision of support, guidance, and/or assistance to help guide a client through personal, emotional, and/or psychological resolution.

Psychotherapy

A type of counseling that focuses on deeper and long-term mental health issues.

Building and Maintaining Therapeutic Alliance

Involves establishing rapport and trust, active listening, empathy, honest and compassionate communication, respect for client’s autonomy, clear two-way dialogue, and understanding cultural and personal differences.

Skilled Helper Model (Egan, 1990)

A counseling model with phases that include exploring the problem, envisioning preferred scenarios, and developing action programs.

Stage I of Skilled Helper Model: The problem as it is

Explore what’s going on, any blind spots, and identify ‘right’ problems to work on.

Stage II of Skilled Helper Model: Preferred scenario

Help clients imagine desired outcomes, goals, and incentives.

Stage III of Skilled Helper Model: Action Programmes

Develop and implement strategies.

Goals in Stage 1: Problem as it is

Identifying and exploring client's concerns & challenges and encouraging the client to freely express their thoughts and feelings.

Goals in Stage 2: Preferred Scenario

Assisting the client in generating a range of potential goals and by exploring various options and alternatives to achieve those goals.

Goals in Stage 3: Action Programmes

Assists the client in creating and committing to their chosen action plan & encourages the client to commit to taking specific steps.

Reflective Thinking

A process of reviewing an event or experience to draw awareness to one's own knowledge.

Content Reflection

Reflecting on the nature of an issue or client presenting concern or situation.

Process Reflection

Focus on the efficacy of practice through interpreting data from feedback.

Premise Reflection

Practitioners reflect on their underlying beliefs and assumptions and challenge the validity of these presuppositions formed from prior learning

"Reflective Thinking”

Thoughtful consideration of an event or experience and any different perspective or knowledge as a result

"Reflective Writing”

A form of evidence of reflective thinking

"Reflective Practice”

When the new perspective or knowledge is applied to practice

reflective practitioner”

One who seeks to continually commit to the progressive development of their practice by utilising their reflective insights to both constructing and reconstructing their knowledge

Reflection-in-action

quick thinking while you’re engaged in an activity

Reflection-on-action

when you consider the activity afterward

Self-Awareness in Therapy

A therapist's awareness of their own feelings, thoughts, values, and biases, and how these might impact their work with clients.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, which is crucial for building rapport and trust.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting the client as they are, without judgment, and providing a safe and supportive environment for exploration and growth.

Genuineness

Being genuine and authentic in interactions with clients, fostering a sense of trust and openness.

Professional Ethics

Ethical codes and standards that guide the conduct of therapists, ensuring responsible and professional behavior.

Supervision

The process of seeking support and guidance from experienced colleagues to improve one's practice and address challenges.

Resilience

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

Boundaries of Competence

Knowing your limitations as a practitioner and seeking appropriate support and supervision when needed.

Client Autonomy

Respecting the client’s right to make their own decisions and supporting their autonomy in the therapeutic process.

Cultural Competence

The process of understanding and appreciating the cultural background and values of clients, and tailoring interventions accordingly.