BASIC TENETS

COU NS ELIN G

OF

W H AT I S A H E L P I N G
R E L AT I O N S H I P ?

Rogers (1961) defined it as one in which at

least one of the parties has the intent of
promoting the growth, development,
maturity, improved functioning and
improved coping with life of the other.

W H AT I S A H E L P I N G
R E L AT I O N S H I P ?

Okun (1992) stated that the development

of a warm, trustful relationship between the
helper and the helpee underlies any
strategy or approach to the helping process
and, therefore, is a basic condition for the
success of any helping process.

W H AT I S A H E L P I N G
R E L AT I O N S H I P ?

According to Miars and Halverson (2001),

The ultimate goal of a professional helping
relationship should be to promote the
development of more effective and adaptive
behavior in the client.

ETHICS

BELIEFS

VALUES

EMPATHIC UNDERSTANDING
It is the ability to feel with clients as opposed to feeling for
clients. It is the ability to understand feelings and worldviews
(emotional empathy), motives, intentions and values (cognitive
empathy) from the clients frame of reference.
Primary Level of Empathy: at the surface level of the clients
disclosures
Advanced Level of Empathy: buried, hidden, or beyond the
immediate reach of a client
Rogers believed that through empathy, clients feel understood
and are empowered to solve their own problems.

This is not laying trips on people

You only listen and say back the other
persons thing, step by step, just as
that person seems to have it at that
moment. You never mix into it any of
your own things or ideas, never lay on
the other person anything that person
didnt express
(Gendlin and Hendricks, 1978)

RESPECT & POSITIVE REGARD

It is the belief in each clients innate worth and potential. The
counselor recognizes the values and strengths of his client.
This provides clients with positive reinforcement to take
responsibility for their own growth, change, goal
determination, decision-making, and eventual problemsolving.
It delivers the message to clients that they can take control of
their lives and, with the assistance from the counselor or
therapist, foster change.

It is often communicated by what the

counselor does not do or say. In other
words, by not offering to intervene for
someone, one is communicating the
belief in the individuals ability to do
for himself or herself.
(Baruth and Robinson, 1987)

GENUINENESS & CONGRUENCE

These describe the ability to be authentic in the helping
relationship. There is consistency between what a person
feels and says and how he or she acts.
to be real as opposed to artificial
to behave as one feels as opposed to merely playing the
role of the counselor (faade of the professional role)
Rogers (1957) stated that it is important to be yourself freely
and deeply. Openness and honesty are central to ones
effectiveness as a counselor.
However, there are limitations. Spontaneity of expression may
be damaging to the client.

 If the counselor is truly genuine, he

or she encourages in counseling
attitudes and behaviors that influence
clients to be genuine. The authentic
counselor feels compelled to be
involved in facilitative behaviors that
have meaning and relevance for
clients rather than to adopt superficial
and mechanical behaviors that have
little or no value.
(Boy and Pine, 1982)

WARMTH

It is the ability to communicate and demonstrate genuine

caring and concern for clients. It enables them to
experience a truly accepting relationship.
communicated through nonverbal behaviors such as a
smile, a touch, tone of voice, facial expression,
gestures, posture, etc.
Using this, counselors or therapists convey their
acceptance of clients, their desire for clients well-being,
and their sincere interest in finding workable solutions to
the problems that clients present.

CONCRETENESS

In the process of exploring problems or issues, clients

often present a somewhat distorted view of the actual
situation.

Concreteness enables the counselor to help clients

identify such distortions and fit them together in such a
way that clients are able to view the situation in a more
realistic fashion.
clarify vague issues
focus on specific topics
reduce degrees of ambiguity
channel energies into more productive avenues of

IMMEDIACY

It is the ability to deal with the here-and-now factors that

operate within the helping relationship. These factors are
described as overt and covert interactions that take place.
Feelings of the client and of the counselor for each other have
to be addressed as they develop.
How are you feeling right now? , Whats going on with
you at this moment?
Addressing issues are helpful to the clients because:
They will gain insight into personal behavioral patterns that
may or may not be conducive to their growth.
They will use this insight in relationships outside the
helping relationship.

trustworthy calm
permissive just
accountable
accepting

client-oriented

 Learning the Art of Helping: Building Blocks and Techniques by

Mark E. Young (5th edition)
Counseling and Psychotherapy: Theories and Interventions by
David Capuzzi and Douglas Gross (3rd edition)
Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Multicultural Perspective by Allen
Ivey, Mary Bradford Ivey and Lynn Simek-Morgan (4 th edition)
What are the Basic Principles and Characteristics of Counseling? by
Senthil Kumar (http://www.publishyourarticles.net/knowledgehub/education/what-are-the-basic-principles-and-characteristics-ofcounselling/5379/)
Three Basic Counseling Principles
(https://thegloryofthegrind.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/3-basic-counselingprinciples/)
Basic Principles of Counseling and Psychotherapy
(http://fiupsychology.com/counseling.htm)
Principles of Effective Counseling
(http://www.esdproj.org/site/DocServer/Counseling_Principles_FINAL_11-1208.pdf?docID=2281)
Ethical Principles of Counseling and Psychotherapy
(http://www.bacp.co.uk/ethical_framework/ethics.php)
Basic Counseling Principles and Skills
(http://www.academia.edu/4776684/Basic_Counselling_Principles_and_Skills
)

SOURCES

Counseling Principles by Dr. Richard Rawson(PowerPoint Presentation)