Applying Counseling Techniques

Applying Counseling Techniques

Tammy Boylan

Liberty University

March 2, 2013

Abstract

When a client and a counselor start a relationship they both a have a part to engage in for the success of the client. The counseling-client relationship is founded on essential characteristics such as, the counselor being welcoming, developing partnership, empathy, active listening and many others. The foundation for this relationship is first started in the first session, as the counselor and client meet and begin to develop the client's story and begin to walk the journey to fulfill goals set by the client. Even before the counselor takes this client they must know who they believe they can work with, to be fair to the client and themselves. The client's success in their therapy is of first and foremost importance.

My Thoughts on Counseling

A Definition of Counseling and the Most Essential Characteristics of a Helping Relationship

The definition of counseling according to the NCDA board, "Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals." (Hoppin, 2011, p.1). I believe this working definition of counseling shows how the counselor and the client must work together to accomplish their goals in a partnership. Within in this partnership there are some essential characteristics that must be implemented, such as the counselor must be welcoming and empathetic, this is displayed by the counselor smiling, offering to shake their hand, nodding, keeping eye contact with the client, even verbalizing "I understand.", the counselor needs to be observant to what is being said and what is not being said by the client, paying close attention to their body language, facial expressions, and their tone of voice, this shows the client that the counselors really cares about them as an individual. The counselor needs to be an active listener, knowing when they should speak and when to let the client talk themselves through their current problem, allowing them to be a solution finder, this can be done knowing the right questions to ask and just allowing the client to answer. Another essential characteristic for the counselor is organization, and time-management, as well as making sure they keep good records; all of these are very important in building what Dr. Breggin describes as, "The creation of a safe space promotes trust and provides the opportunity for its growth (Breggin, 2008, p.3).

A Detailed Explanation of the Key Elements that Must be Cover in the First Session with a New Client and Why They Must be Covered

In this first session it is necessary for the counselor and the client to establish clear communication on the ethical issues and the assessment process as well as policies and fees, and how these will play out in their sessions of therapy together. Dr. Corey points out, "Regardless of their theoretical orientation, therapists need to engage in assessment, which is generally an ongoing part of the therapeutic process" (Corey, 2013, p. 44). The assessment process does eventually lead to some type of diagnosis, therefore establishing the need for therapy and treatment. One of the ways this is done is by having the client fill out the intake/consent form for their treatment before the first session begins. Once the session begins the counselor will go over this informational form with the client, begin to help them get a better understanding of their situation, but during this time the counselor must listen and be attentive to the client, paying close attention to both verbal and non-verbal language of the client. This time is what some call a time of assessment, in which the counselor will ask additional questions, having the client define the problem(s) they are experiencing in their own terms; becoming familiar with what kind of support system the client has outside of their counseling sessions, how willing they are to complete homework assignments that the counselor will give them, and a time for the client to ask any questions they may have. According to Dr. Corey, "The rationale is that specific counseling goals cannot be formulated and appropriate treatment strategies cannot be designed until a client's past and present functioning is understood" (Corey, 2013, p.44). The client and the counselor are then able to work together to structure the story of the client by gather and putting together important information about the clients history that led them to the counselor, as well as discussing where the client would like to see themselves going in the future; setting attainable goals, beginning with short term for the next week and working toward planning long term goals in future sessions. As part of the counselor's duties they need to keep this session on time, as they wrap up the end of the session they need to take these last few minutes to review what they went over and set the next session date. The first session is mostly about gathering the necessary information to take the client to the next session with the beginnings of a foundation of a relationship of building honesty and trust between them, a partnership.

The Theory or Theories of Counseling which I Will Seek to Learn More About and Use in My Own Practice of Counseling

The theory of counseling I see myself seeking to learn and using in my own counseling practice is the Adlerian Therapy. According to Dr. Corey, "From the Adlerian perspective, human behavior is not determined solely by heredity and environment. Instead, we have the capacity to interpret, influence, and create events" (Corey, 2013, p.104). I believe people can and should be a part of their developing plan to be part of their solution, and not just focus on their problems, because generally most problems have a solution if they are willing to work toward finding it. I agree with Adler in that people tend to be motivated by social relations than sexual urges, therefore making their actions purposeful and goal directed. The Adlerian approach offers help to the client to locate and put together a plan to make changes in their wrong belief systems about themselves, others and their life (Corey, 2013, p.127). This counseling process offers clients a way to gain new information, through teaching and guiding by encouragement, because encouragement is very powerful for helping a person bring about changes in their life; building self-confidence