1. Introduction to the Counseling Profession
Chapter 1
Therapeutic Alliance and the
Helping Relationship

2. Chapter Topics What is a Helping Relationship?
Personal Characteristics of Counselors
Essential Components of the Therapeutic Alliance
Basic Skills and Concepts

3. What is a Helping Relationship?
Individuals who can be defined as “helpers” are those that work to promote the wellbeing of mankind.
The therapeutic alliance is what sets the counseling
profession apart from other helping professions.
The therapeutic alliance is what allows
clients to open up to counselors on a level
that they cannot do with others.

4. What is a Helping Relationship?
What are the characteristics of a positive helping relationship?
It provides a safe and protective
environment for clients.
It encourages collaboration.
It is a mutual relationship and
each person is an active
participant.
Clients can identify with their
counselors.
Client and counselor have an
agreement on goals and
procedures.
Counselors act as role models.

5. Counselor Characteristics
What are the characteristics of effective helpers?
Effective counselors:
Are self-aware and compassionate.
Can use themselves as vehicles of change.
Are committed to understanding the field.
Like helping people.
Are committed to freeing rather than controlling the client.
Are open to a full range of experiences and feelings.
Can maintain professional boundaries.
Are culturally responsive.

6. Therapeutic Alliance What is the therapeutic alliance?
The therapeutic alliance is a one-way relationship with the
purpose of resolving a concern and/or fostering the
personal growth of one person -- the client.
The therapeutic alliance is built on mutual respect and
trust.
The therapeutic alliance is independent of the theoretical
orientation or type of treatment.

7. Therapeutic Alliance What are the goals of the therapeutic alliance?
Changes in behavior and lifestyle.
Increased awareness, insight, or understanding.
Relief from suffering.
Changes in thoughts and self-perceptions.

8. Therapeutic Alliance
What are the essential components of the therapeutic alliance?
The Core Conditions
Congruence
Unconditional Positive Regard
Empathic Understanding
Additional Elements
Commitment
Respect
Trust
Confidentiality
Benevolent power

9. Basic Skills and Concepts
Microskills
Attending behaviors
Eye Contact
Attentive Body Language
Distance
Vocal Tone
Verbal Tracking

10. Basic Skills and Concepts
Basic Listening Skills
Active Listening
Client Observation
Verbal Behavior
Encouraging, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
Reflection of Feelings
Questions
Concreteness

11. Basic Skills and Concepts
Self-Attending Skills
Self-Awareness
Centering and Relaxing
Nonjudgmental Attitude Toward Self
Nonjudgmental Attitude Toward Others
Communicating Genuineness
Cultural Competence
Humor
Touch

12. Basic Skills and Concepts
Advanced Skills and Concepts
Advanced Empathy
Self-Disclosure
Confrontation
Immediacy

13. Basic Skills and Concepts
Action Skills
The goal of counseling is to have a client come away from the process changed.
This growth or change often entails the counselor and client working together on an action plan appropriate to the client's stated goals.
These action plans should grow out of the counseling work itself and be based in part on the theoretical orientation of the counselor and what is considered the standards for practice in the profession.

14. Basic Skills and Concepts
Termination Skills
It is important to leave time to discuss feelings about ending the therapeutic alliance.
For a smooth termination, it is important for both individuals to know when the last session will occur.
Termination may occur either by mutual agreement or prematurely (that is, before all goals of counseling are met).

15. Basic Skills and Concepts
Termination Skills
When termination is mutual or initiated by the counselor:
There should be discussion and evaluation of the goals that have already been reached.
Counselors should provide encouragement, which may include a reminder of the client’s strengths and new coping strategies, as well as who is included in his or her support system.

16. Basic Skills and Concepts
Termination Skills
Closure issues and feelings need to be discussed and clients need to be prompted to explain how they will transfer their new insights to future events.
Clients should be prepared for self-reliance and continued self-help.
The termination process should not focus on the generation of new problems or issues, but rather on an appreciation of the growth that has already occurred.