Module 10: Advanced Counseling Skills — Normalizing, Here-and-Now, Polarities, Externalization, and Ethical Considerations
Overview
Module 10 introduces counseling techniques, often called advanced skills, but the instructor encourages using terms like ways of working with people or strategies to facilitate the process rather than “techniques.”
These approaches aim to move conversations forward, deepen understanding of the problem, and help clients handle the problem or redefine their life, leading to greater self-awareness. They should not replace the ongoing therapeutic relationship but augment it.
Warnings about overreliance on techniques: it’s easy to forget their place or to rely on them too much. Always remember the purpose behind any technique or skill.
The module divides these advanced skills into two parts across Module 10 and the next module, showing how each technique or strategy stems from a particular therapeutic modality and reflecting differences between modern and postmodern approaches (as discussed in Week 8).
The module begins with a preface about setting the scene and being careful with advanced skills (referenced as the concept of “thermo jet” in the talk) and covers preparatory points.
Core skills introduced in this module (short vs longer formats):
Normalizing (rooted in person-centered approach)
Here-and-now and polarities (Gestalt-informed)
Two more complex strategies tied to particular modalities in later mini-lectures: one from Solution-Focused Therapy and the other from Narrative Therapy (externalization).
The two longer mini-lectures (Ten Point Three and Ten Point Four) cover these more complex strategies and are designed to balance shorter and longer formats.
Foundations from Module 6 and Week 8 context:
Module 6 emphasized knowing your values, reflecting on life history, assets/weaknesses, and how personal values shape engagement with clients.
Week 8 contrasted modern vs postmodern perspectives on therapeutic approaches.
Ethical and professional tensions highlighted:
Clinicians are ethically bound to treat all clients with respect, sensitivity, and nonjudgmental stance regardless of diversity.
It’s crucial to ensure that chosen techniques do not reflect the clinician’s personal agenda or biases based on values or worldviews.
Before introducing any technique, practitioners should explain their intentions and plans to clients (what the technique is, what it involves, possible experiences, and potential outcomes).
In some cases, clinicians may need supervision to maintain awareness of personal triggers or unresolved issues that could unduly influence the session.
Example introduced: the “empty chair” technique (from Narrative Therapy) is used in some sessions, but it must be clearly explained to the client beforehand.
The underlying message: techniques are tools shaped by specific theoretical frameworks; learning the background and rationale of each technique helps determine when and why to use them and ensures alignment with the client’s preferences and priorities. Clients should lead as much as possible, rather than being steered by the therapist’s preferences.
The module emphasizes that there are many techniques beyond those covered in the course, and they should be employed judiciously within a coherent theoretical framework.
Finally, the aim is to invite clients into activities in a broader, more informed way that supports meaningful change in their lives.
Normalizing
Definition: a counseling technique intended to make clients feel normal about their experiences, reducing feelings of abnormality or isolation.
Rationale: clients may feel awkward or confused in situations that differ from their usual lives; this mindset can become a barrier to recovery if not addressed.
Purpose: to calm clients, promote acceptance of their emotional state, and encourage action toward addressing challenges.
Formal definition: "conveying to a client your perception or assessment of the normality of their experience of distress or discomfort."
When it is useful: especially when clients question the normality of their experiences or distress (e.g., after a significant emotional event).
Two broad categories of normalizing responses:
Normalizing actions or developments in a client’s life (behavioral or situational changes).
Normalizing emotional experiences (feelings and affective responses).
Important cautions:
Do not simply say, “It’s okay” or minimize the client’s pain or experience; wording matters.
Normalizing should be used when the client explicitly asks about the okayness of their experiences or shows how their distress is perceived by them as unusual.
Example scenario:
A client who has recently lost a partner reports, “I can’t sleep. I can’t work. There’s nothing I can do. It’s been weeks now. Is this normal? Does it ever go away?” In such a case, a carefully worded normalizing response can reduce self-blame and open space for coping strategies.
Limits and risks:
If used indiscriminately, it can imply that the client’s pain is being discounted or devalued.
Language must be precise and empathetic; avoid implying that distress is trivial or that the client should simply “get over it.”
Relationship with other modalities:
Aligns with person-centered foundations, emphasizing empathy, acceptance, and client-led exploration.
Therapeutic modalities under discussion in this module
Gestalt therapy (influence on the here-and-now and polarities):
Here-and-now focus: attention to present experience, awareness, and experiential processes in the session.
Polarities: exploring opposing aspects within the client (e.g., needs vs. wants, control vs. uncertainty) to facilitate integration.
Narrative therapy (externalization):
Externalization involves treating the problem as a separate entity from the person, enabling the client to relate to and re-author their story with agency.
The specific technique discussed here is externalization or facilitation of externalizing conversations.
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT):
One skill from SFT is introduced in Ten Point Three; focus is likely on future-oriented, strengths-based questions and goal-directed steps rather than problem-centric analysis.
Summary of Ten Point Three and Ten Point Four:
Ten Point Three: introduces a more complex strategy drawn from one therapeutic modality (Solution-Focused Therapy).
Ten Point Four: introduces another strategy drawn from Narrative Therapy (externalization).
Both may be longer mini-lectures and provide richer, more involved activities than the shorter segments.
“Empty chair” technique: practical considerations
What it is: a common technique used in counseling (often connected to narrative approaches) where a client speaks to or engages with an empty chair representing another person, part of the problem, or a facet of themselves.
How to introduce it: prior to engaging the exercise, clearly explain to the client what they will do, what it involves, possible emotional experiences, and the kinds of outcomes that may occur.
Rationale: helps clients externalize parts of their experience, process emotions, and gain new perspectives.
Important cautions:
Do not use the technique haphazardly or without clear rationale.
Ensure the client’s consent and understanding of the activity.
Be mindful of your own reactions; in moments of triggering content, therapists may experience their own emotional responses that could influence their use of the technique.
Regular supervision can support therapist awareness and reduce the risk of improvised or inappropriate use.
Ethical alignment: must be framed within client-led goals and preferences; should align with the client’s values and goals.
Relation to client-centered ethics:
Emphasizes starting from the client’s perspective, avoiding imposing the therapist’s own agenda.
Supports collaboration and transparency about the therapeutic process.
Preparation, boundaries, and ethical considerations around advanced skills
Not to be used randomly: these skills should be employed with intention and grounded in a theoretical framework.
Clarify purposes: explain the method, potential benefits, and possible emotional experiences before use.
Therapist self-awareness: recognize how personal history or discomfort might influence technique selection or use.
Supervision: regular supervision is recommended to build awareness and prevent unhelpful uses of techniques.
Client autonomy: invite clients to participate in activities with a view toward helping them lead the process and identify priorities.
Bias and values: maintain a nonjudgmental stance; ensure technique choice does not reflect the therapist’s personal agenda or biased worldview.
Broader professional context: acknowledge there are many techniques beyond those covered and that each technique is shaped by a specific theoretical framework; learning about the background aids appropriate application.
Integration with prior learning: connect advanced skills to previous modules (e.g., Module 6 on values, Week 8 on modern vs. postmodern perspectives) to ground practice in core principles and real-world relevance.
Connections to foundational principles and real-world relevance
Values and context:
Earlier coursework emphasized personal values, life history, assets/weaknesses, and how these perspectives influence practice.
Ethical practice requires consistency with client preferences, cultural sensitivity, and respect.
Real-world relevance:
Advanced skills aim to enhance communication, client empowerment, and collaborative problem-solving in real-world settings.
Understanding when and how to use each technique improves therapeutic effectiveness and safety.
Ethical, philosophical, and practical implications
Ethical practice:
Maintain respect, sensitivity, and nonjudgmental stance toward all clients.
Avoid imposing your values or a personal agenda through technique selection.
Philosophical implications:
Acknowledge the influence of therapeutic paradigms (modern vs. postmodern) on technique choice and interpretation.
Recognize the power dynamics between therapist and client and strive for client-led direction.
Practical implications:
Prepare clients for participation in advanced techniques with explicit explanations of process and expectations.
Use supervision and reflective practice to reduce risk of harm or unhelpful interference from therapist triggers.
Summary and takeaways
Advanced techniques are tools rooted in specific therapeutic modalities; they should be used thoughtfully, not randomly, to support client progress.
Normalizing, here-and-now, and polarities are foundational skills drawing from person-centered and Gestalt approaches.
Externalization (Narrative Therapy) and a Solution-Focused element provide additional, targeted strategies for reframing problems and focusing on strengths and future steps.
The “empty chair” is a concrete example of externalization, requiring careful briefing and ethical use.
A strong emphasis throughout is on aligning with client preferences, maintaining ethical practice, and using supervision to stay aware of personal biases and emotional triggers.
The module situates these techniques within a broader professional and theoretical landscape, linking back to earlier coursework on values, as well as to ongoing debates about modern vs. postmodern approaches.
Key terms to remember
Normalizing
Here-and-now (Gestalt)
Polarities (Gestalt)
Externalization (Narrative Therapy)
Empty chair technique
Solution-Focused Therapy (one skill introduced)
Thermo jet (conceptual framing for careful use of advanced skills)
Client-led practice
Supervisory reflection
Nonjudgmental stance
Ethical alignment of technique with client preferences