COUNSELING

COUNSELING
• The process that occurs when a client and
counsellor set aside time to explore difficulties which
may include the stressful or emotional feelings of
the client.
• The act of helping the client to see things more
clearly, possibly from a different view-point. This can
enable the client to focus on feelings, experiences
or behavior, with a goal of facilitating positive
change.
• A relationship of trust. Confidentiality is a
paramount to successful counselling. Professional
counsellors will usually explain their policy on
confidentiality. They may, however, be required by
law to disclose information if they believe that there
is a risk to life.
• Counselling is when we meet with someone who is
a qualified counsellor trained in listening and
talking. In counselling we can talk about things that
might be worrying us or about changes we might
want to make in our life. This is done in a structured
way.
 COUNSELLING IS NOT:
• Giving advice.
• Being judgmental
• Attempting to sort out the problems of the client.
• Expecting or encouraging a client to behave as
the counsellor would behave if confronted with a
similar problem in their own life.
• Getting emotionally involved with the client.
• Looking at a client’s problems from your own
perspective, based on your own value system.
GOALS OF COUNSELLING
A. ENHANCING COPING SKILLS
We will inevitably run into difficulties in the process
of growing up. Most of us do not completely achieve
all of our developmental tasks within a lifetime. All of
the unique expectations and requirements imposed
on us by others will eventually lead to problems. Any
inconsistencies in development can result in children
learning behavior patterns that are both inefficient
and ineffective. Learned coping patterns, however,
may not always work. New interpersonal or
occupational role demands may create an overload
and produce excessive anxiety and difficulty for the
individual.
B. IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS
Many clients tend to have major problems
relating to others due to poor self-image. Likewise,
inadequate social skills cause individuals to act
defensively in relationships. Typical social difficulties
can be observed in family, marital and peer group
interaction (e.g., the troubled elementary school
child). The counselor would then strive to help the
client improve the quality of their lives by developing
more effective interpersonal relationships.
C. FACILITATING CLIENT POTENTIAL
Counseling seeks to maximize an individual’s
freedom by giving him or her control over their
environment while analyzing responsiveness and
reaction to the environment. Counselors will work to
help people learn how to overcome, for example,
excessive substance use and to better take care of
their bodies.
D. FACILITATING BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
Most theorists indicate that the goal of
counseling is to bring about change in behaviour
that will enable the client to be more productive as
they define their life within society’s limitations.
According to Rodgers (1961), behaviour change is
a necessary result of the counseling process,
although specific behaviours receive little or no
emphasis during the process.
E. PROMOTING DECISION-MAKING
The goal of counseling is to enable the individual
to make critical decisions regarding alternative
courses of action without outside influence.
Counseling will help individuals obtain information,
and to clarify emotional concerns that may interfere
with or be related to the decisions involved. These
individuals will acquire an understanding of their
abilities and interests. They will also come to identify
emotions and attitudes that could influence their
choices and decisions.
OBJECTIVES OF
COUNSELLING
ACHIEVEMENT OF POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH

• An individual is said to be mental when he is

able to relate, have positive meaningfully with
others and leads a fulfilling life. At this state he
is able to love and be loved. The objective of
counselling is to help the individual to attain.
 PROBLEM RESOLUTION

•Another objective of counselling is to

help the individual to come out of a
difficult situation or problem. It must be
remembered that the individual is only
assisted and he himself finds solution of
the problems.
 COUNSELLING FOR DECISION-MAKING

•Ability to make right and timely

decisions is crucial for success in life. An
important objective of counselling is to
make individual capable of making
independent decisions.
 IMPROVING PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS

•As effective person is one who is able to

control impulses, think in creative ways
and has the competence to recognize,
define and solve problems. It can be
seen that these different goals are not
exclusive. These are all interdependent
and overlapping.
 HELP CHANGE

•An important objective of counselling

is to bring change for development.
Counselling helps individual to make
changes in attitudes, perceptions or
personality.
 BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION

•Another objective of counselling is to

help in modifying behaviour. Removal of
undesirable behaviour or self-defecting
behaviour and learning desirable
behaviour is considered necessary for
attaining effectiveness and good
adjustment.
 INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING
• Adolescent identity, • relationships, school
concerns, teen-parent experiences, peer
relationships, relationships
• peer relationships • Depression
• Anxiety • Family of origin
• Anger management dynamics and issues
• Children’s concerns • Gender: identity,
within the family unit, sexuality, homosexuality
sibling • Grief and bereavement
• Relationships: personal • Spirituality
and interpersonal • Stress management
dynamics
• Workplace stress and
• Sexual abuse recovery relationships
• Seniors: challenges, • Young adult: identity,
limitations, transitions relationships, vocation
• Singles: single, newly
single, single through
divorce or
• being widowed
 MARITAL AND PRE-MARITAL COUNSELLING

• Marital and relational dynamics

• Extended family relationships
• Fertility issues
 FAMILY COUNSELLING

• Adolescent and child • Family of origin /

behaviours within family extended family issues
dynamics • Life stages and
• Adult children transitions
• Divorce and separation • Parenting patterns:
issues and adjustment blended, single, co-
• Family dynamics: parenting families
estrangement, conflict,
communication
1. Act with care and respect for individual
and cultural differences & the diversity of
human experience.
2. Avoid doing harm in all their professional
work.
3. Respect the confidences with which they
are entrusted.
4. Promote the safety and well-being of
individuals, families & communities.
• 5. Seek to increase the range of choice and
opportunities for clients.
• 6. Be honest and trustworthy in all their
professional relationships.
• 7. Practice within the scope of their
competence.
• 8. Treat colleagues and other professionals
with respect.
 1. PRINCIPLE OF ACCEPTANCE

• accept the patient with his physical,

psychological, social, economical and
cultural conditions.
 2. PRINCIPLE OF COMMUNICATION

• communication should be verbal as well

as non-verbal and should be skillful.
 3. PRINCIPLE OF EMPATHY

• instead of showing sympathy put yourself

in patients shoes and then give reflections
accordingly (Empathy is ability to identify
with a person.)
 4. PRINCIPLE OF NON-JUDGE

•mental attitude-do not criticize or

comment negatively regarding
patient’s complaints.
 5. PRINCIPLE OF CONFIDENTIALITY

•always keep the patient’s name, and

the problem strictly secrete and
assure the patient about the same.
 6. PRINCIPLE OF INDIVIDUALITY

•treat each and every patient as

unique and respect his problem as
well.
 7. PRINCIPLES OF NON-EMOTIONAL
INVOLVEMENT
•not getting emotionally involved with
the patient and avoid getting carried
away with his feelings.