1. 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING PROFESSION RC 611, Winter 2009 Dr. Julia Smith Ed. 244 503-838-8744 smithj@wou.edu

2. 2 “Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge.” *Kahlil Gibran

3. 3 RC 611 Class #1 – 1/7/09 Introductions Classroom expectations in the RCE program Different kinds of counseling Syllabus review Handouts Homework

4. 4 The Skilled Helper, by Gerard Egan

5. 5 Classroom Expectations: Students’ Best Effort Attend class sessions Arrive to class in a timely manner Do the readings before class Arrive prepared to class Ask questions and actively engage the material in class Do the assignments required in the class

6. 6 Do your own homework (unless assigned to work in groups) Do not use papers you have written in other classes for assignments Turn assignments in on time Use the writing center Understand plagarism

7. 7 Classroom Expectations: Professors’ Best Efforts Maintain knowledge of the material Clearly communicate expectations for the course Provide a clear syllabus and outline of the course Prepare instruction before the class Offer ways to engage the material in class Encourage questions in class Structure assignments to fulfill the learning objectives Offer feedback on assignments Be available outside of class Provide additional resources to the class

8. 8 Classroom Expectations: Respect Listen when others talk Do not talk or engage in side conversations with your neighbors One person talks at a time You may not always agree with the opinions others express in class, but as a professional you will need to learn to listen to others whose opinions differ from yours

9. 9 Differences in opinion are inevitable and to be expected Differing opinions can be expressed in ways that communicate respect Limit interruptions by turning off your cell phone/pager when you come to class. Enter the room quietly when you arrive late Exit the room quietly if you must leave early

10. 10 Different Types of Counseling Psychiatrist (M.D.) Psychologist (Ph.D.) Social Worker (LCSW) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

11. 11 What Makes Counseling Effective? Counselor’s model and techniques only effects outcome by 15% Client’s making appointment only effects outcome by 15%

12. 12 Client’s belief that the counselor is warm, trustworthy, nonjudgmental, and empathetic has 30% effect on outcome Client’s own strengths, resources, duration of complaint, and social support has 40% effect on outcome

13. 13 Dodo Bird Verdict “Everybody has won, so all shall have prizes.”  Declared by the Dodo Bird in Alice in Wonderland Psychologist Saul Rosenzweig, 1936 Responsible treatments have roughly equal effects

14. 14 Syllabus Review

15. 15 Final Exam DUE– 3/16/08 5:00 pm

16. 16 APA Writing Review

17. 17 “Gradualness, gradualness, gradualness. From the very beginning of your work, school yourself to severe gradualness in the accumulation of knowledge.” *Ivan Pavlov

18. 18 INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING PROFESSION RC 611, Winter 2009 Dr. Julia Smith Ed. 244 503-838-8744 smithj@wou.edu

19. 19 “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” *Plato

20. 20 RC 611 Class #2 – 1/14/09 Laying the Groundwork 1. What is counseling? 2. What is the purpose of counseling? 3. What is the difference between formal and informal “helping?” 4. How did you decide to become a counselor?

21. 21 5. What emotions are you uncomfortable with? 6. What could blow your confidence as a counselor? 7. What amount of progress is acceptable?

22. 22 8. How will you deal with your clients’ feelings toward you? 9. How will you handle your feelings towards your clients? 10. What qualities do you have that will make you a good counselor?

23. 23 WHAT IS COUNSELING? Counseling is an interaction between a counselor and a client that leads to changes – from a less adaptive state to a more adaptive state – in the clients’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

24. 24 Characteristics of Effective Helpers Self-awareness and understanding Good psychological health Sensitivity to and understanding of racial, ethnic, and cultural factors in self and others Open mindedness Objectivity Competence Trustworthiness Interpersonal attractiveness

25. 25 Shadow Side of Helping “All those things that adversely affect the helping relationship, process, outcomes, and impact in substantive ways but that are not identified and explored by helper or client or even the profession itself.” (Egan, 2997, p. 25)

26. 26 Egan’s 3 Stages Stage I: The Current Picture – “What’s Going On?” – Help Clients Clarify the Key Issues Calling for Change Stage II: The Preferred Picture – “What Do I Want?” – Help Clients Identify, Choose, and Shape Problem-Managing Goals Stage III: The Way Forward – “How Do I Get What I Need or Want?” Help Clients Develop Strategies and Plans for Accomplishing Goals

27. 27 Interpersonal relationship  Transference  Countertransference 10 personal counseling sessions  Your own issues influence how you counsel

28. 28 INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING PROFESSION RC 611, Winter 2009 Dr. Julia Smith Ed. 244 503-838-8744 smithj@wou.edu

29. 29 We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. *Anais Nin

30. 30 RC 611 Class #3 – 1/21/09 Therapeutic Dialogue Establishing the Relationship  Rapport Building  Transference and Countertransference Basic Counseling Skills

31. 31 Active Listening

32. 32  Avoid advice and pre-mature problem solving  Pay attention to non-verbals  Avoid “gossiping” – focus on client  Separate your issues from your client’s issues

33. 33 Listen to client’s… experiences behaviors affect core messages points of view decisions they are making intentions The wider context of their stories

34. 34 Empathy Empathy means temporarily living in another’s life, moving about in it delicately without making judgments. (Rogers & Sanford, 1984)

35. 35 Empathy is a non-evaluative (phenomenological) attempt to experientially understand the world from the client’s perspective. (Bohart, 1991)

36. 36 Empathetic Understanding  Not sympathy or agreement  Goal is to accurately understand “You feel _____ because _____”  Focus on experiences and behaviors that underlie client’s feelings  Be genuine

37. 37 In empathetic listening, you listen with your eyes and with your heart. You listen for feelings, for meaning. You listen for behavior. You use your right brain as well as your left. You sense, you intuit, you feel. Empathic listening is powerful because it gives you accurate data to work with. * Stephen R. Covey

38. 38 Empathy in the Counseling Setting Non-judgment Temporarily living in other’s life Listen with your eyes and your heart Listen for feelings Listen for behavior Include your intuition

39. 39 INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING PROFESSION RC 611, Winter 2009 Dr. Julia Smith Ed. 244 503-838-8744 smithj@wou.edu