Counselling & Consulting
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves”.
-Victor Frankl
What is Counselling?
The following list summarizes many of they key components of the counselling process (Sreedhar, n.d.):
1. Counselling is expected to be a process.
2. Counselling is usually for normal people with problems.
3. It is essentially a dynamic interaction between the client and the counsellor.
4. Client is expected to be frank and forthright in his history.
5. It is the duty of the counsellor to keep confidentiality regarding the client.
6. Counsellor is to show warmth and empathy while listening to the client’s problems.
7. Counsellor is expected to be non judgmental and non critical.
8. The relationship between the client and the counsellor is expected to be genuine.
9. Counselling usually works at the level of rapport and not at the level of transference.
10. Client’s conscious motives are explored rather than the unconscious motives
Counselling is a collaborative journey aimed at achieving long-term change, where all humans are unique individuals introducing their own set of strengths into the counselling process. Treating them as such and acknowledging these strengths will be the key to creating a unique relationship that customizes our ongoing work with one another. Creating a positive working relationship with clients enables me to set mutually agreed upon goals with them and determine an overview of what the therapeutic process may look like. My personal beliefs about the counselling process are largely based on Cognitive-Behavioural and Psychodynamic Therapy. Understanding individuals as a product of their past experiences is what makes the most sense to me; the family constellation, significant relationships, and uncovering how individuals make sense of their development are rich sources of information that should be taken into consideration throughout the therapeutic process. From here uncovering individuals’ maladaptive belief structures is the key to modifying their thought patterns and responses. Supplementing this form of treatment with behavioural exercises to reinforce more adaptive forms of thinking will enable us to achieve lasting change in our therapeutic alliance.
The Counselling Process
As I mentioned above, all individuals are unique so there is not one best way to help people. However, in my work to date I have found that the following approach is the most suitable for me.
Session Task
1 History Taking
2 History Taking
3 Discussion surrounding goals and objectives for counselling
“What are your expectations for our work together”
4 Treatment Plan (Goal(s) to be accomplish as well as a description of how it will be accomplished)
5+ Accomplishment of Goals via therapeutic interventions
I use the preliminary sessions to become familiar with the thoughts, feelings, and behaviour patterns that are familiar to my clients and strive to develop an understanding these. By session 4, I like to work collaboratively with my clients toward incorporating them into a treatment plan that guides our work in counselling. The following diagram depicts the overall counselling process.
The following list summarizes many of they key components of the counselling process (Sreedhar, n.d.):
1. Counselling is expected to be a process.
2. Counselling is usually for normal people with problems.
3. It is essentially a dynamic interaction between the client and the counsellor.
4. Client is expected to be frank and forthright in his history.
5. It is the duty of the counsellor to keep confidentiality regarding the client.
6. Counsellor is to show warmth and empathy while listening to the client’s problems.
7. Counsellor is expected to be non judgmental and non critical.
8. The relationship between the client and the counsellor is expected to be genuine.
9. Counselling usually works at the level of rapport and not at the level of transference.
10. Client’s conscious motives are explored rather than the unconscious motives
Counselling is a collaborative journey aimed at achieving long-term change, where all humans are unique individuals introducing their own set of strengths into the counselling process. Treating them as such and acknowledging these strengths will be the key to creating a unique relationship that customizes our ongoing work with one another. Creating a positive working relationship with clients enables me to set mutually agreed upon goals with them and determine an overview of what the therapeutic process may look like. My personal beliefs about the counselling process are largely based on Cognitive-Behavioural and Psychodynamic Therapy. Understanding individuals as a product of their past experiences is what makes the most sense to me; the family constellation, significant relationships, and uncovering how individuals make sense of their development are rich sources of information that should be taken into consideration throughout the therapeutic process. From here uncovering individuals’ maladaptive belief structures is the key to modifying their thought patterns and responses. Supplementing this form of treatment with behavioural exercises to reinforce more adaptive forms of thinking will enable us to achieve lasting change in our therapeutic alliance.
The Counselling Process
As I mentioned above, all individuals are unique so there is not one best way to help people. However, in my work to date I have found that the following approach is the most suitable for me.
Session Task
1 History Taking
2 History Taking
3 Discussion surrounding goals and objectives for counselling
“What are your expectations for our work together”
4 Treatment Plan (Goal(s) to be accomplish as well as a description of how it will be accomplished)
5+ Accomplishment of Goals via therapeutic interventions
I use the preliminary sessions to become familiar with the thoughts, feelings, and behaviour patterns that are familiar to my clients and strive to develop an understanding these. By session 4, I like to work collaboratively with my clients toward incorporating them into a treatment plan that guides our work in counselling. The following diagram depicts the overall counselling process.
The Need for Professional Consultation
Just like the world, counselling is constantly evolving. For this reason a continuous effort to improve upon my practice will be essential. One strategy for accomplishing this development is through ongoing consultation and collaboration with colleagues.
Consultation with other professionals in counselling is essential. This practice allows me to access help when I am stuck in my work by getting others' perspectives on my work when I am having trouble. In my opinion, the more perspectives the better because this will allow me to decide on the best way to proceed by choosing what makes the most sense to me. Sometimes, seeing things from a different angle makes all the difference in the world when practicing as an ethical psychologist.
Advantages of Consultation
1. There are many differing theoretical orientations amongst counsellors. Engaging in consultation provides you with ideas both within your personal framework and outside of your personal framework, thus enabling you are able to see the advantage to thinking through things in different ways.
2. Collaboration with individuals can serve as a check to ensure that you are on track with helping clients to accomplish their goals, and that you are able to justify your approach in doing so
3. Consultation enables you to ensure that you are working in an ethical fashion
Consultation with other professionals in counselling is essential. This practice allows me to access help when I am stuck in my work by getting others' perspectives on my work when I am having trouble. In my opinion, the more perspectives the better because this will allow me to decide on the best way to proceed by choosing what makes the most sense to me. Sometimes, seeing things from a different angle makes all the difference in the world when practicing as an ethical psychologist.
Advantages of Consultation
1. There are many differing theoretical orientations amongst counsellors. Engaging in consultation provides you with ideas both within your personal framework and outside of your personal framework, thus enabling you are able to see the advantage to thinking through things in different ways.
2. Collaboration with individuals can serve as a check to ensure that you are on track with helping clients to accomplish their goals, and that you are able to justify your approach in doing so
3. Consultation enables you to ensure that you are working in an ethical fashion