COUNSELLING

Counselling is the process that occurs when a client and counsellor set aside time in order to explore difficulties which may include the stressful or emotional feelings of the client. 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 behaviour, with a goal to facilitating positive change.Confidentiality is paramount to successful counselling.

Counselling is a helping approach that highlights the emotional and intellectual experience of a client, how a client is feeling and what they think about the problem they have sought help for. Counsellors, trained in a humanistic approach, using techniques from client-centred therapy.

Counselling Skills

Communication skills are active listening, clarification, reflection and effective questioning skills.The counsellor will attempt to build a certain amount of rapport with their client, but not to an extent that would allow them to become emotionally involved.

Counsellors need to be empathetic, seeing things from the client’s point of view, rather than sympathetic (feeling sorry for their clients). Empathy can help the counsellor to ask appropriate questions and lead the client to positive conclusions.

Role of the Counsellor

Enable the client to explore many aspects of their feelings by talking openly and freely. It is important that the counsellor is not emotionally involved with the client and does not become so during counselling sessions. The counsellor neither judges, nor offers advice. The counsellor gives the client an opportunity to express difficult feelings such as anger, resentment, guilt and fear in a confidential environment.

The counsellor may encourage the client to examine parts of their lives that they may have found difficult or impossible to face before. Effective counselling reduces confusion, allowing the client to make effective decisions leading to positive changes in their attitude and behaviour. The ultimate aim of counselling is to enable the client to make their own choices, reach their own decisions and to act upon them accordingly.