introduction to counselling chapter 1

introduction to counselling chapter 1

Counselling

• Webster: “Advice, especially that given as a result of consultation”

• a professional relationship between a trained counselor and a client. 

• person-to-person

• may involve more than two people.

   

• help clients to understand and clarify their views of their life space

• learn to reach their self-determined goals through meaningful, well-informed choices

• resolution of problems of an emotional or interpersonal nature. 

• mutual exploration and exchange of  ideas, attitudes, and feelings between a counselor and a  client… specifically including:

  • a client’s misperceptions about the problem 

  • a client’s misperceptions that create emotional overlay  (prominence) affecting self-concept

  • a disparity between a client’s thoughts & feelings  Cooper (1983)

• an activity that occurs when someone who is troubled invites and allows another person to enter into a particular kind of relationship with them.  

• Therapy is a crucial step for individuals facing problems they cannot solve themselves, especially if it results in their exclusion from social life.

Types of Counseling 

• Informational: “counseling in which a counselor shares a body of  special information with a counselee” 

• Situational: “related to specific situations in life that may create  crises and produce human pain and suffering”

• Psychotherapy: intervention with people whose needs are so  specific that usually they can only be met by specially trained  physicians or psychologists

  • represents a deeper, more fundamental, or involved process of change with  more disturbed clients

What are the distinct purposes and objectives of guidance, counseling, and psychotherapy according to Mowrer (1982)?

• Guidance: to provide information 

• Counseling: to help solve problems & adjustment  issues

• Psychotherapy: to change personality

Styles of Counseling 

• Directive:

  • Goal-oriented: Identifies problems, sets goals, and guides clients toward outcomes.

  • Problem-solving: Uses techniques like psychoeducation and CBT to address concerns.

  • Expertise-driven: Offers advice and strategies based on the counselor's knowledge.

  • Brief and solution-focused: Focuses on achieving specific goals in a short timeframe.

• Non-directive/Client Centered/Person Centered:

  • Client-centered: Creates a supportive environment for clients to explore freely.

  • Client autonomy: Clients lead sessions; the counselor facilitates without authority.

  • Unconditional positive regard: Provides empathy and acceptance without judgment.

  • Reflective listening: Encourages self-exploration through active listening and reflection.

  • Client empowerment: Empowers clients to discover their solutions and strengths.
    

Concern vs. Anxiety 

Concern:

• Arises in response to specific issues or situations.

• Moderate intensity, characterized by worry or apprehension.

• Focuses on particular circumstances or outcomes.

• Can prompt constructive actions.

• Generally does not significantly impair daily functioning.

Anxiety:

• Involves pervasive and persistent unease or fear.

• Higher intensity, often with physical symptoms.

• May lack a clear or specific focus.

• Can lead to avoidance behavior and excessive worry.

• Significantly impacts daily functioning and well-being.

Regret vs. Guilt 

Regret:

• Focuses on outcomes or consequences of actions.

• Emotional response includes disappointment or sadness.

• Motivates reflection and desire for different choices.

• Does not necessarily imply moral wrongdoing.

• May lead to learning and informed decisions.

Guilt:

• Focuses on responsibility for causing harm or wrongdoing.

• Emotional response includes remorse or self-blame.

• Involves recognition of personal accountability.

• Often prompts a desire for amends or forgiveness.

• May lead to reparative behaviors and commitment to moral integrity

Annoyance vs. Anger

Annoyance:

• Mild irritation or frustration.

• Often triggered by minor inconveniences or disturbances.

• Emotional response is typically less intense than anger.

• May lead to temporary discomfort or agitation.

• Usually dissipates relatively quickly.

Anger:

• Intense emotional reaction.

• Often triggered by perceived threats, injustices, or violations.

• Involves feelings of indignation, hostility, or outrage.

• Can lead to aggressive or confrontational behavior.

• May have longer-lasting effects on mood and relationships.

Disappointment vs. Shame/Embarrassment

Disappointment:

• Results from unmet expectations or hopes.

• Emotional response includes sadness or disillusionment.

• Typically directed towards external circumstances or events.

• May lead to feelings of discouragement or resignation.

• Often prompts a reevaluation of goals or expectations.

Shame/Embarrassment:

• Arises from perceived social or personal failure.

• Emotional response includes humiliation or self-consciousness.

• Often triggered by public exposure of a mistake or flaw

• Involves feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness.

• Can lead to avoidance behavior or attempts to hide the perceived fault.

Aims of counselling

• Insight: Understanding the origins and development of emotional difficulties, leading to rational control over feelings and actions.

• Relating with others: Forming and maintaining meaningful relationships within family or workplace.

• Self-awareness: Recognizing previously blocked or denied thoughts and feelings, and understanding how one is perceived by others.

• Self-acceptance: Developing a positive attitude towards oneself, acknowledging areas of self-criticism and rejection.

• Self-actualization/individuation: Moving towards fulfilling potential or integrating conflicting parts of oneself.

• Enlightenment: Assisting in spiritual awakening

• Problem-solving: Finding solutions to specific problems and acquiring problem-solving skills.

• Psychological education: Providing ideas and techniques for understanding and controlling behavior.

• Acquisition of social skills: Learning interpersonal skills like eye contact, assertiveness, or anger control.

• Cognitive change: Modifying irrational beliefs or maladaptive thought patterns.

• Behavior change: Changing maladaptive or self-destructive behavior patterns.

• Systemic change: Introducing change into social systems like families.

• Empowerment: Developing skills, awareness, and knowledge for self-control.

• Restitution: Making amends for previous destructive behavior.

• Generativity and social action: Inspiring care for others, passing on knowledge, and contributing to the collective good through community work or political engagement.

Counseling Environment

• Permission to speak:

  • Encourages individuals to share their stories and emotions at their own pace and in their own way.

  • Provides a safe space for expression of previously silenced experiences.

• Respect for difference:

  • Counselors set aside their own opinions and needs to focus entirely on helping clients articulate and act on their personal values and desires.

• Confidentiality:

  • Ensures that all discussions remain confidential, with counselors refraining from sharing information with others in the client's life

• Affirmation:

  • Counselors embody core values such as honesty, integrity, care, and belief in the worth of each individual.

  • Promotes collaboration, dialogue, and a sense of common good in the therapeutic relationship.

10 Fundamentals for Counseling

1. Rarely be a problem solver:

• Guide the client to find their own solutions.

2. Trust your intuition:

• Rely on your instincts and intuition.

3. Provide a sense of direction:

• Offer guidance and direction to the client.

4. Take care of your client:

• Protect their feelings and support them at their own pace.

5. Have a sense of humor:

• Use humor to lighten the mood and build rapport.

6. Incorporate self-disclosure:

• Share personal experiences as part of counseling.

7. Be open-minded:

• Maintain an open and non-judgmental attitude.

8. Believe in clients' efforts:

• Trust that clients are doing their best.

9. Establish mutual expectations:

• Ensure agreement on therapy expectations between you and your client.

10. Ask for client feedback:

• Seek input from clients to improve the counseling process.

Guidelines for Counselors 

▪ Offer yourself. 

▪ Be respectful. 

▪ Become comfortable with silence. 

▪ Be a skilled listener. 

▪ Normalize practically everything. 

▪ Avoid judgment. 

▪ Be sensitive to cultural, ethnic, and family traditions. 

▪ Be aware of and respond to your own compassion fatigue. 

• the physical and mental exhaustion and emotional withdrawal experienced by  those that care for sick or traumatized people over an extended period of  time