Topic 3

Lecture Overview

  • Title: Models of Helping - Egan’s Model

The Journey of Helping

  • Counselling/Helping:

    • Not perfectly structured, follows a roadmap.

    • Influenced by therapeutic orientation, client’s issues, and personal qualities.

  • Importance of Stages:

    • Different stages focus on distinct aspects of the therapeutic journey.

    • Essential to respect client’s pace and adjust the helper’s pace accordingly.

Egan’s Model Overview

  • Core Focus:

    • Encourages clients to interpret their experiences actively.

    • Aims to develop problem-solving skills and face challenges.

  • Helper's Role:

    • Build a strong therapeutic alliance based on collaboration.

    • Facilitate client's action planning and responsibility acceptance.

    • Encourage self-direction and goal-setting.

Stage I: The Current Picture

  • Aim:

    • Provide a safe space for clients to tell their story.

    • Help clients see the broader perspective and find hope.

  • Tasks:

    • Task A: The Story - Clients narrate their problem situations.

    • Task B: The Real Story - Expose different perspectives.

    • Task C: The Right Story - Identify key issues and areas for focus.

Stage II: The Preferred Picture

  • Aim:

    • Help clients visualize what they want and how it could be better.

  • Tasks:

    • Task A: Possibilities - Brainstorm ideal scenarios.

    • Task B: Goals/Outcomes - Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Limited).

    • Task C: Commitment - Evaluate commitment and realism of goals with a cost-benefit analysis.

Stage III: The Way Forward

  • Aim:

    • Develop specific strategies for accomplishing identified goals.

  • Tasks:

    • Task A: Possible Strategies - Brainstorm how goals can be achieved.

    • Task B: Best-Fit Strategies - Identify strategies that best suit the client.

    • Task C: Plans - Create actionable plans for the client to pursue goals.

Composite Case: Jennifer

  • Basic Information:

    • 30-year-old primary school teacher, single mother of two, struggling with chronic health issues and low mood.

  • Key Story Elements:

    • Feels useless and overwhelmed.

    • Noticing weight gain, resuming smoking, lack of social life.

    • Concern about her state of mind and parenting.

General Tips for Helpers

  • Feedback:

    • Regularly check in and gather client feedback.

  • Decision-Making:

    • Guide clients but don’t make decisions for them.

  • Client Perspective:

    • Avoid assumptions; explore client’s unique solutions.

  • Exploration:

    • Be tentative and explore multiple approaches before narrowing down options.