L2 BASIC COUNSELLING SKILLS

Definition of counseling according to Gustad (1953).

A learning-oriented process carried on in a simple, one-to-one social environment.

Ultimate goal of Gustad's definition

Help the client become a happier and more productive member of society.

The most important instrument in therapy.

The therapist's "self" (senses, feelings, and intuition)

Cognitive level of therapist operation.

Processing the "content" of the discussion during a session.

Visceral level of therapist operation.

Sensing energies, acceptance, rejection, tension, or ease between therapist and client.

Main purpose of counseling skills and techniques.

To stand and serve a genuine therapeutic encounter and relationship.

Four key components of Attending Behaviour.

Eye contact, vocal tone, body language, and verbal following.

Purpose of Attending Behaviour.

Shows listening and encourages the client to talk freely.

Four categories of Verbal Behaviour.

Minimal responses, directives, information seeking, and complex responses.

Examples of minimal encouragers.

"Um-hm", "Yes", "I see", "And", "Then what"

Purpose of minimal encouragers.

To indicate therapist presence and acceptance.

Function of silence in minimal responses.

A tool therapists must learn to be comfortable using.

Examples of verbal directives.

Explicit signals of approval, providing information, and direct guidance or advice.

Closed vs. Open questions.

Closed questions seek specific answers ("Are you feeling X?"); Open questions encourage elaboration ("How does that make you feel?").

Danger of asking too many questions.

It can put off the client and make them defensive.

Preferred questioning phrasing for emotional exploration.

Use "What makes you think/feel sad?" instead of "Why do you feel sad?".

Questioning trap to avoid during a single sentence.

Avoid asking multiple questions at once.

Definition of paraphrasing.

Giving back what was expressed clearly and concretely without adding personal perspective.

Definition of reflection in complex responses.

Paraphrasing combined with explicit attention to the client's expressed or unexpressed affect.

Definition of a nonverbal referent.

Pointing out physical cues like posture, tone, or facial expressions.

Definition of summarization.

Condensing themes to cover a part of a session, an entire session, or overall treatment.

Definition of interpretation.

Establishing connections between isolated statements, pointing out themes, or relating the present to the past.

Definition of the Skilled Helper Model.

A comprehensive framework for helping clients navigate change and achieve goals.

Core question of Stage I.

"What's going on?" (Exploring concerns and current picture).

The three tasks of Stage I.

Task A: The Story; Task B: The Real Story; Task C: The Right Story.

Core question of Stage II.

"What does a better future look like?" (Determining preferred outcomes and goals).

The three tasks of Stage II.

Task A: Possibilities; Task B: Goals/Outcomes; Task C: Commitment.

Core question of Stage III.

"How do I get there?" (Drawing up plans and the way forward).

The three tasks of Stage III.

Task A: Possible Strategies; Task B: Best-Fit Strategies; Task C: Plans to Accomplish Goals.

Meaning of the "Action Arrow".

Represents "How do I make it all happen?" emphasizing ongoing client action from the very start.

Rule on flexibility in the Problem-Management Process.

Clients can start at any stage, but flexibility must not turn into random "muddling through".

Creators of the "Stages of Change" model.

Prochaska and DiClemente.

The 5 sequential Stages of Change.

Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance.

Core philosophy regarding the nature of change.

Change is a process, not an event, and people typically cycle through stages multiple times.