Chapter 1 Notes: Introduction to Professional Counseling

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapter 1 through Chapter 7 on Introduction to Professional Counseling, Theory, Process, and Counselor Qualities.

Professional counseling

The process of offering assistance by mental health professionals using specialized knowledge, interpersonal skills, and personal dispositions to help clients understand and address problems, set attainable goals, and work toward change.

Counseling context

Counseling must be viewed within the intellectual, philosophical, and cultural milieu that shapes the practice.

Ecological existence

An individual is an ecological being, interdependent with others and situated within a cultural context.

Functional behavior

Behavior that reduces dysfunction and enables growth, problem solving, and better coping with life stresses.

Normal versus functional

What is normal is context-dependent and may not be functional; counseling aims to promote functional, adaptive behavior.

Multicultural counseling

Counseling conducted with awareness of diverse cultural realities, requiring self-awareness, cultural humility, and avoidance of cultural encapsulation.

Cultural encapsulation

Defining reality by one’s own culture and stereotypes, ignoring other cultural perspectives.

Positionality

The idea that cultural identities indicate relative social positions (power, privilege) that affect interactions in counseling.

Cultural identities

Beliefs, values, and roles derived from various cultures that shape worldview and communication.

Institutional client

Clients can be not only individuals but groups, families, or institutions (e.g., schools or agencies) that counselors intervene for.

Counseling theory

A set of ideas about how problems develop and how to intervene; theories organize observation, conceptualization, and interventions.

Essentialism

Philosophical position that assumes humans are rational and that reason and universal truths guide understanding.

Progressivism

Philosophical position prioritizing what will work; knowledge based on experimental results; truth through consequences; values are relative.

Existentialism

Philosophical position that meanings come from the individual; emphasizes personal responsibility and subjective experience.

Postmodernism

Philosophical position that reality is personally constructed; focus on client’s reality and interpretation rather than external truth.

Dominant theoretical approaches

Major counseling theories include psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, systemic, and postmodern—each provides a map but not a single prescription.

Eclectic approach

A practical stance where a counselor draws from multiple theories as client needs dictate, often without committing to one theory.

Integrative approach

A coherent stance with a central theoretical position that selectively borrows from others to tailor practice.

Common factors in counseling

Elements shared across theories: responding to client feelings, thoughts, actions, and contexts; strong observer skills; ability to engage; unconditional acceptance of client perceptions.

Countertransference

Therapist’s emotional reactions to a client, which can distort judgment if not recognized and managed.

Boundary clarity

Maintaining clear professional boundaries between counselor and client to protect the therapeutic process.

Trustworthiness

Reliability, ethical conduct, and creating a safe space for clients to disclose; keeping promises and maintaining confidentiality.

Interpersonal attractiveness

Clients’ perception that the counselor is similar to or compatible with them, influencing trust and influence.

Open-mindedness

Freedom from fixed preconceptions; willingness to understand and accommodate diverse client worldviews.

Tolerance for ambiguity

Comfort with not having all answers and with a fluid, evolving counseling process.

Ethical standards

Professional guidelines (e.g., ACA) governing confidentiality, supervision, informed consent, and avoiding dual relationships.

Self-awareness

Understanding one’s own needs, motivations, feelings, and triggers to prevent projection and ensure safety.

Competence

Having the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to help clients; outcomes-based assessment of effectiveness.

Supervision

Guidance and oversight from experienced professionals to ensure quality practice and counselor development.

Client buy-in

Client commitment to engage in counseling; essential for positive outcomes and can be fostered through respectful engagement and clear expectations.

Counseling goals

Change, prevention, or enhancement/growth as the aims of counseling interventions.