Foundations of Counseling – Applied Social Sciences

These vocabulary flashcards cover the essential concepts, roles, processes, specialties, and goals presented in the lecture on counseling within the Applied Social Sciences.

Counseling

A professional, collaborative, and intentional process that helps individuals, families, or groups achieve mental health, wellness, educational, and career goals while resolving personal challenges.

Professional Relationship

The formal helping bond in counseling characterized by clear roles, ethics, and trained expertise.

Trained Practitioner

A counselor who has completed rigorous education, supervision, and often licensure to provide competent services.

Boundaries and Confidentiality

Ethical limits that create a safe, non-judgmental space where client information is kept private except under specific legal or ethical exceptions.

Not Advice-Giving

Counselors guide clients toward self-discovered solutions rather than prescribing what to do.

Collaborative Process

Counselor and client work as partners, with the client actively participating in change.

Intentional Process

Counseling proceeds purposefully through agreed-upon goals and structured stages.

Goal-Oriented Counseling

Practice of setting clear short- or long-term objectives that direct the helping work.

Systematic Approach

Use of sequential steps—rapport, assessment, goal setting, intervention, and evaluation—to organize counseling.

Theories and Techniques

Evidence-based frameworks (e.g., CBT, humanistic) and interventions applied to facilitate client change.

Client-Centered

Counseling that honors the client’s unique values, experiences, and right to self-determination.

Empowerment

Process of strengthening clients’ coping skills, resources, and initiative for problem solving.

Diverse Clientele

Counseling’s inclusivity of varied ages, cultures, social backgrounds, and presenting concerns.

Holistic Well-Being

Focus on overall mental, emotional, and sometimes physical wellness, not merely absence of illness.

Personal Growth

Facilitation of self-knowledge, emotional acceptance, and optimal development in counseling.

Mental Health Counseling

Specialty addressing disorders such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress.

Educational/School Counseling

Support for students’ academic, social-emotional development, and career exploration.

Career Counseling

Guidance in career decisions, job search strategies, and workplace adaptation.

Relationship/Family Counseling

Intervention aimed at improving communication and resolving conflicts among couples or families.

Grief and Loss Counseling

Support for individuals coping with bereavement or significant life transitions.

Substance Abuse Counseling

Assistance in overcoming addiction and developing long-term recovery skills.

Exploration and Insight

Counseling activity wherein clients examine thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to understand root issues.

Problem-Solving

Counseling function of identifying options and strategies to overcome obstacles and make informed choices.

Positive Change

Ultimate counseling goal of improving behaviors, attitudes, and overall life satisfaction.