Introduction to Basic Counseling Skills

Counseling Counseling is a process of one person helping another make an informed, committed decision or solve a problem with an understanding of the facts and emotions involved.

Counseling does not involve… Advice giving Wisdom Making decisions on behalf of the person Manipulating the person to think in a way that the counselor perceives right Being judgmental Lecturing Making promises to the person Giving falls hopes Making the person dependent on the counselor

Counseling children includes Establishing helping relationships with children Helping children tell their story Listening attentively to children Giving children correct and appropriate information Helping children make informed decision Helping children recognize and build their strength Helping children develop a positive attitude towards life

Purpose of Counseling To access help giving services To generate more ways to find solutions to a problem To seek advice, to have different perspective To facilitate decision making To help understand the problem and cope with it

Essentials of facilitation Respect confidentiality Be non-judgmental Empathise Trust

Fields of counseling Vocational counseling Career counseling Clinical counseling Relationship counseling Geriatric counseling

Steps in counseling Greet the client Ask the client for assistance being sorted Tell the client the services/options available Help make informed decision Explain and educate the client further on decision taken Return for follow-up or refer or re-visit

Basic Skills in Counseling Ability to listen Ability to ask question Ability to read verbal and non-verbal gestures Ability to use simple language Show empathy Rapport building Active listening Para –phrasing Reflection Summarizing

Rapport Building/ introduction  Rapport means a sense of having connection with the person and helps in making an introduction to the relationship. Pointers for rapport building – Introduce yourself Ask close –ended questions Eye contact Do not disclose any personal questions If possible speak in client’s language or in a language he/she is comfortable

Active Listening and questioning Active listening includes:- Be attentive Concentrate on the client Do not interrupt Give non-verbal feedback (hmm, nod, smile, lean forward)

Active Listening and questioning (contd.) There are four types of questions: Type Close ended : medical history Open ended: to learn about client’s feelings, beliefs, knowledge . Probing : follow – up in response to statement by the client Leading : not appropriate

Goals of listening and questioning Encourage the client to talk Increase your awareness of the other persons feelings Bring out specific information

What we can learn through questions The general situation – what did you want to talk about The facts – what happened? Feelings – how did you feel? Reasons – why did you do that? Specifics – could you give me an example

Para phrasing How can you make sure that you understand what the client is saying or feeling? Paraphrasing occurs when the counselor states what the client has just said, using fewer words but without changing the meaning of what the client said.  Paraphrasing is not parroting.

Example of paraphrasing My mom irritates me. She picks on me for no reason at all. We do not like each other. So…you are having problems getting along with your mother. You are concerned about your relationship with her. Yes!

Reflection Noting key feelings and helping the client clarify them can be one of the most powerful and helpful things a counselor can do.

Example of reflection of feelings When I get home in the evening, my house is a mess. The kids are dirty… My husband does not care about dinner...I do not feel like going home at all. You are not satisfied with the way the house chores are organized. That irritates you. Yes!

Summarising (1) Summarising is an important way for the clinician to gather together what has already been said, make sure that the client has been understood correctly, and prepare the client to move on. Summarising is putting together a group of reflections.

Summarising (2) Summarising helps the clinician Provide focus for the session Confirm the client’s perceptions Focus on one issue while acknowledging the existence of others Terminate a session in a logical way Summarising helps the client Clarify what they mean Realise that the counsellor understands Have a sense of movement and progress

Example of summarising We discussed your relationship with your husband. You said there were conflicts right from the start related to the way money was handled, and that he often felt you gave more importance to your friends. Yet on the whole, things went well and you were quite happy until 3 years ago. Then the conflicts became more frequent and more intense, so much so that he left you twice and talked of divorce, too. This was also the time when your drinking was at its peak. Have I understood the situation properly? Yes, that is it!

Empathetic Warm Genuine Respectful Sincere Counselor should be… Empathetic Warm Genuine Respectful Sincere

Activity 1 Situation – hum aapko abhi ek situation dege jiske do drishtikon hai: ek 22-24 saal ke ladke ko videsh me acchi naukri ka offer mila hai, par uske budhe maa-baap ghar pe akele rehte hai. 1st view- ladke ko maa – baap ke pass hi rehna chahiye 2nd view- ladke ko apne career growth ke liye offer le lena chahiye.