1. Introduction to Basic Counseling Skills

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Essentials of facilitation
Respect confidentiality
Be non-judgmental
Empathise
Trust

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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!

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

18. 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!

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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!

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

23. Activity 1
Situation – hum aapko abhi ek situation dege jiske do drishtikon hai:
ek 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.