Supportive Counselling SSW 312 Lecture Notes

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Apply the 5 stages of the counselling process and advanced micro-skills in a professional manner within SSW practice.

  2. Discuss best practices for in-person and online services.

  3. Assess common risk factors and basic crisis interventions.

  4. Maintain and document up-to-date client files per professional standards.

  5. Use anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and strength-based frameworks.

  6. Interact professionally with clients according to ethical guidelines.

  7. Engage in reflective practices for self-awareness and professional growth.

  8. Identify and manage compassion fatigue and burnout through self-care strategies.

LEARNING METHODS

  • Employ diverse educational tools:

    • Lessons and readings

    • Observational learning

    • Practice opportunities

    • Journaling

    • Assignments and midterm assessments

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Overview of Topics by Week

  1. Introduction to SSW 312 and counselling in the SSW field

  2. Review of counselling models and considerations

  3. Review of counselling micro-skills

  4. Trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, strengths-based counselling

  5. Test

  6. Risk assessment and crisis intervention

  7. Documentation in counselling

  8. Study week (no classes)

  9. Block week (no classes)

  10. Micro-skill: focusing and initial counselling session

  11. Micro-skill: reflection of meaning and subsequent counselling session

  12. Micro-skill: empathetic confrontation and logical consequences in counselling

  13. Ending the counselling relationship

  14. Consolidation of counselling experiences

  15. Course wrap-up

Assignments Due

  1. Crisis intervention simulation or case-study assignment

  2. Counselling session notes (from 1 to 4)

  3. Reflective journals (from 1 to 4)

  4. Peer feedback forms (completed in class)

METHODS OF EVALUATION

  • Refer to the detailed course outline for comprehensive evaluation methods.

COMMON QUESTIONS

  • Textbook Requirement?

  • PPT Access?

  • Late Assignment Policy?

  • Attendance Requirements?

  • Extra Help Process?

  • Academic Accommodations?

  • Cheating Policy and Student Code of Conduct?

  • Importance of Self-Care?

Break Time

  • Reminder to take necessary breaks during sessions.

Introduction to Supportive Counselling

Core Concepts

  • General Concepts:

    • Informed consent

    • Microskills

    • 5-Stage interviewing model

    • Principles of practice

Key Questions for Consideration

  1. Similarities and differences in SSW interviews and those in other helping professions?

  2. Definition of informed consent.

  3. Identification of a particular microskill (e.g., “Sounds like you feel angry. Did I get that right?”).

  4. Listing the 5 stages of the interviewing/counselling process.

  5. Principle focusing on client dignity and respect.

  6. Importance of self-reflection for SSWs.

  7. Inform clients about issues as part of informed consent.

  8. Examples of microskills that encourage deeper dialogue.

  9. Stages and purposes of information gathering.

  10. Principles that treat clients as unique individuals.

WHAT IS COUNSELLING?

  • Definition:

    • Counselling is a process of assisting individuals, families, and groups in finding solutions.

    • Focuses on intentional dialogues around feelings, experiences, and behaviors to facilitate positive change.

    • Counselling promotes clarity and enhances alternative viewpoints.

  • Characteristics of Counselling:

    • Relationship of trust

    • Non-advisory role

    • Intentional and client-centred approach

    • Empathic, respectful, and collaborative

    • Challenges and rewards inherent in the process

COUNSELLING IN THE SSW FIELD

Differences in Approaches

  1. Informal Counselling:

    • Utilizes intentional counselling skills in less obvious or spontaneous ways.

    • Lacks consistent protocols and structured frameworks.

  2. Formal Counselling:

    • Employs consistent protocols and planned sessions with standardized approaches.

    • Utilizes explicit documentation and consent forms to support practice.

BENEFITS OF COUNSELLING

  1. Opportunity for clients to share their stories.

  2. Creation of a safe, judgment-free space.

  3. Validation of feelings experienced by clients.

  4. Increased self-awareness and understanding of personal issues.

  5. Empowerment of clients in taking responsibility for change.

  6. Building self-esteem and a sense of self-determination.

  7. New experiences fostering personal growth.

  8. Facilitation of practical problem-solving and options exploration.

  9. Enhancement of coping skills.

  10. Provision of referrals to additional resources.

Real-Life Client Testimonies on Benefits

  • Clients express feelings of relief and empowerment, attributing positive changes to their counselling sessions and supportive environment.

QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE COUNSELLOR

  • Desired traits include:

    • Curiosity, engagement, patience, and observation

    • Inviting, welcoming, calm demeanor

    • Encouragement, appreciation, and understanding of client experiences

    • Attentiveness, grounded presence, and empathy

EMPHASIS IN SSW 312

  • Importance of self in the counselling process

  • Remote versus face-to-face considerations

  • Adoption of strength-based, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed approaches

  • Introduction to risk assessment and crisis management

  • Documentation practices and writing tips for effective counselling notes

  • Emphasis on continual practice and skill enhancement

SUMMARY OF SESSION

  • Reviewed course outline and expectations.

  • Introduced counselling in the SSW field.

  • Essential homework for next class:

    • Review key elements of SSW 212 (including the importance of self as the primary tool, the foundational 5-stage counselling model, microskills, and principles of practice).

TO DO FOR NEXT CLASS

  1. Questions to ponder:

    • What is informed consent? Clients must give permission for services after fully understanding the nature, risks, and benefits, as identified as a core concept in supportive counselling.

    • What are the legal exceptions to confidentiality? These typically include situations posing harm to self or others, child abuse concerns, or when legally mandated by a court order.

    • Identify the 5 stages of interviewing. The 5-stage interviewing model is a foundational concept (reviewed from SSW 212) that structures the counselling process. While not explicitly listed here, it is a key element of the course.

    • Understand the information gathering stage and its components. This stage involves actively eliciting client information, perspectives, and context through techniques like open-ended questions and active listening, as one of the stages in the interviewing process.

    • Practice identifying microskills and their functions. Microskills are fundamental communication techniques (e.g., focusing, reflection of meaning, empathetic confrontation, as taught in weeks 10-12) used to facilitate deeper client dialogue and understanding.

    • Discuss benefits of paraphrasing in client interactions. Paraphrasing, a key microskill, helps demonstrate active listening, verifies understanding, and validates the client's expressed thoughts and feelings.

    • Reflect on principles of practice and how they guide SSW work with clients. - Consider self-reflection practices when working with clients. Principles of practice (e.g., ensuring client dignity and respect, treating clients as unique individuals) provide the ethical and professional framework for SSW. Self-reflection is a critical practice for professional growth and self-awareness (Learning Outcome 7).