helping skills

Review and Preparation

• Importance of exam reviews and utilizing resources like videos posted on Canvas.

• Videos may supplement knowledge but are not necessary for exam preparation.

Exploring Emotions vs. Thoughts

• Understanding two key chapters: "exploring thoughts" vs. "exploring feelings".

• Common misinterpretations in worksheets; focus on identifying feelings instead of narrative.

• Main objective of emotion exploration: to target emotions experienced by the client.

• Typical conversational habits often emphasize thoughts over emotions, underscoring the need to foster a dialogue surrounding emotional experience.

• Adjusting language to reflect emotional focus is vital in therapeutic settings.

The Role of Reflection

• Reflection is not simply about summarizing; it redirects the conversation towards emotions.

• Differentiating between types of open questions:

  • Open questions about thoughts lead to ideas; emotions should elicit feeling words.

• Caution against using vague expressions such as "I feel like..." which transform emotions into abstract concepts.

Helper Disclosure of Feelings

• Importance of expressing personal feelings as a model for exploring emotions.

• A self-disclosure should convey a direct emotion (e.g., "I felt sad.")

• One goal of self-disclosure is to validate emotional expression, not to establish commonality.

Therapeutic Skills with Purpose

• Emphasizing the significance of using specific skills to serve therapeutic intentions, such as encouraging emotion exploration or gathering narrative information.

• Skills used to gather information include closed questions and probes.

• Skills aimed at supporting clients include reflections, minimal encouragers, and reassurance.

• To encourage catharsis: model it through appropriate self-disclosure first.

Addressing Client Emotions

• Skills for identifying feelings: reflection and open questions lead to emotional awareness.

• Intensification of feelings can occur through impactful reflections which magnify emotions felt by clients.

• Essential to gauge when to explore feelings and when to inquire about client narratives.

Challenges for Beginning Helpers

• Common issues:

  • Lack of listening due to preoccupation with own responses.

  • Struggles with effective skill application as beginners in the counseling process.

  • Over-reliance on closed questions can lead to a conversational imbalance.

  • Striking a balance between sharing professionally appropriate self-disclosures and creating a therapeutic boundary.

Coping with Strong Emotions in Sessions

• Facing the potential intimidation of raw emotions in sessions requires balancing the therapeutic work: building rapport, delving into emotions, and not leaving clients overwhelmed.

• Discussion on managing sessions effectively, ensuring clients conclude feeling safe and supported.

Constructing the Therapeutic Relationship

• The relationship must balance professional boundaries with empathy and authenticity.

• Identifying unhelpful patterns such as trying to become overly friendly with clients.

Emotional Exploration Techniques

• Recognizing emotional avoidance in conversational loops or client narratives.

• Avoiding simplistic interpretations; considerations like cultural norms and the stigma surrounding emotional expression.

Assessment of Knowledge for Exams

• Key learning objectives include understanding case conceptualization, goals of exploration, and ethical considerations in providing therapy.

• Familiarity with therapeutic principles, barriers to seeking help, and the structure of interviews is important for decent outcomes in future assessments.