Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy Chapter 2: The Counselor: Person and Professional Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Questions? What are the personal characteristics of effective counselors? List two major personal qualities, or strengths, that you think will help you as a counselor? * What one life experience do you believe has had the greatest influence on your ability as a therapist? Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

The Effective Counselor The most important instrument you have is YOU Your life experience, who you are, and how you struggle to live up to your potential, are powerful tools Be authentic Serve as models for our clients Your own genuineness can touch your clients Be a therapeutic person and be clear about who you are Be willing to grow, to risk, to care, and to be involved Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Effective counselors Warm, accepting, caring Know who they are Open to change Sincere, honest, & authentic Invested, willing to take risks Good boundaries Live in the present Sensitive to culture…………..more Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Questions? What motivated you to be a counselor?* How would you respond if you were required to participate in personal psychotherapy as a basic part of your degree program?* Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Counseling for the Counselor In your experience of being a client you can: Consider the motivation for wanting to be a counselor Understand the feelings of being a client Find support as we struggle to be a professional Deal with personal issues, increase your self-awareness, and know the impacts for being a counselor Be aware of and be assisted in managing the counter-transferences Therapists can help their client no further than they have been willing to go in their own life. Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Questions? Can we be value-free in counseling? What might you do if one of your values sharply contrasted with your client’s values?* Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

The Counselor’s Values Be aware of how your values influence your interventions Recognize that you are not value-neutral Your job is to assist clients in finding answers that are most congruent with their own values Find ways to manage value conflicts between you and your clients Begin therapy by exploring the client’s goals Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Questions? What is an example of a belief, attitude, or assumption of yours that could block/enhance your effectiveness in working with diverse client populations?* What can you do to increase your awareness and knowledge in the area of cultural diversity?* What do you see as your major challenge in becoming a culturally skilled counselor?* Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Multicultural Counseling Become aware of your biases and values Attempt to understand the world from your client’s standpoint Gain a knowledge of the dynamics of oppression, racism, discrimination, and stereotyping Study the historical background, traditions, and values of your client Be open to learning from your client Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Multicultural counseling Competence Awareness of one’s own assumptions, values, and biases (awareness of self) Understanding the worldview of culturally diverse clients (understand others) Developing appropriate intervention strategies and techniques (appropriate Skills) *Adapted from Sue, D. R., & Sue, D. (2004).Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (4th Edition). New York: John Wiley & Sons. Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Questions What are the common concerns or anxieties for a beginning counselor?* What are the common irrational standards for a beginning counselor? What are the possible reasons when a client is silent? Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Issues Faced by Beginning Therapists Anxiety and self-doubts Skills vs. being ourselves Carry clients issues in our daily life Unrealistic beliefs: no rooms for mistakes, I need to provide the “right” way to help (perfectionism) Unselfishly giving (please others) Worry no answers or solutions, fear of silence, fear of missing something (need in control) Every client should get better (personalizing) Be effective all the times (need to be valued) Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2

Staying Alive – It’s a Prerequisite Take care of your single most important instrument – YOU Know what causes burnout Know how to recognize burnout Know how to prevent burnout Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 2