counselor skills
TRANSCRIPT
What is counseling?
Counseling is the means by which one person helps another through purposeful conversation
Counseling is a method of identifying practical solution to an identified problem
Common Problems
Personality problems
Family conflicts, Personal problems (Difficulty to adjust with others) etc.
Educational problems
Lack of motivation, Reading difficulties, etc.
Vocational problems
Difference between interests & aptitude
Financial problems
Need for self- support at school or college
Health problems
Psycho- somatic disorders (Insomania)
Common factors for counseling
Two persons are present during counseling
The process leads to action on the part of the
client
The counselor is a person who listens
The client can be trusted to find their own
solutions
Personal growth of the client usually occurs
Counseling is not usually concerned with
Advice-giving
Psychotherapy
Treatment of severe mental illness
Solving client’s life’s problems
Not a remedy for all problems at a single instance
Elements of counseling
An empathetic relationship
The counselor and client relates well
The counselor sticks closely to the clients
problems
The client feels free to say what they like
An atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence
exists
Rapport is essential
Personal qualities of a Counselor
Empathy
Ability to stand empathetically with clients
See the world as they see it
Warmth
Delicate one
Genuineness
Professional manner
But friendly manner
Positive regard
Disposition towards others is positive
Concreteness
Get to listen
Listens empatheticallyClarifies your thoughtsLeads you to logical conclusion
Counseling process
Getting started
Introductory talk
Identifying the issues
Coping with feelings
Identifying possible solutions
Agreeing a plan
Implementing the plan
Review
Counseling skills
Listening
It is the process of ‘hearing’ the other person.
Linguistic aspects
Actual words using by the client
Ex: Expanding a business may turn to
developing a business
Paralinguistic aspectsApart from speech, the timing, volume, pitch, accent of the individual Ex: Variation in volume (speech) in certain times
Non-verbal aspectsrefer to ‘body language expression through the use of the body. ( facial expression,use of gestures, body position and movement)
Giving informationHow much information is given during a counseling session will depend on the nature of the counseling relationship
Concrete issues
Expanding a business
Developing a career
Completing a college course
Buying a house
The expert counselor will access the particular and accurate information of the individual.
Personal issues
- Continuing a relationship
- Coping with the death of a relative- Developing self awareness- Working through depression
Client is the ‘expert’
Making suggestions
‘Concrete’ domain
Ex: Due to parents(option) force a student may be forced to choose a subject
Drawing outOpen questions:
Do not have one correct answer
Have one word answer
Ex: How did you feel when that happened?
Closed questions:
Yes or no answer only.
Ex: Have you discussed with your parents?
ReflectionBack of the few words client has spoken To clarify his thoughts and feelings
Ex: I found it is difficult to get a job……………
Challenging
v Challenge to client saying
v Counselor role is a supportive
v Counselor is in ‘plain speaking’
Ex: There is no one in my
organization that I can talk to at all
Supporting
§ Client’s advocate - Counselor
§ Problems the client identified
§ Counselor “follow traveler”
Ex: I have some difficulties to
study at my home
ReviewEvaluation carried out
Ex: Positive and negative
feedback about the counseling
Stages in Career Guidance
Reviewing
Individual needs in relation to work and available options. (Occupational information)
Goal – setting
Clarify and set achievable goals (Self Assessment)
Action planning
Agreed, undertaken and evaluated (Training)
Difference between Counseling & Guidance
Counseling
Helps to analyse the problem
Professional manner
Rapport is essential
left to the individual
Guidance
Giving assistance
In Friendly concern
To develop a positive outlook
Expects to advice
Requirements to establish a career counseling center
• Physical setting
• Privacy
• Rapport
• Test material should be available
• Maintain confidentiality
• Communication
• Attentiveness