1

INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING PROFESSIONRC 611, Winter 2009Dr. Julia Smith

Ed. 244

503-838-8744

smithj@wou.edu

2

“Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge.”

*Kahlil Gibran

3

RC 611 Class #1 – 1/7/09

Introductions Classroom expectations in the

RCE program Different kinds of counseling Syllabus review Handouts Homework

4

The Skilled Helper, by Gerard Egan

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

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

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

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

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

Different Types of Counseling Psychiatrist (M.D.) Psychologist (Ph.D.) Social Worker (LCSW) Licensed Professional

Counselor (LPC) Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

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

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

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

Syllabus Review

15

Final Exam DUE– 3/16/085:00 pm

16

APA Writing Review

17

“Gradualness, gradualness, gradualness. From the very beginning ofyour work, school yourself tosevere gradualness in theaccumulation of knowledge.”

*Ivan Pavlov

18

INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING PROFESSIONRC 611, Winter 2009Dr. Julia Smith

Ed. 244

503-838-8744

smithj@wou.edu

19

“The beginning is the most important part

of the work.” *Plato

20

RC 611 Class #2 – 1/14/09Laying 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

5. What emotions are you uncomfortable with?

6. What could blow your confidence as a counselor?

7. What amount of progress is acceptable?

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

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

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

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

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

Interpersonal relationship Transference Countertransference

10 personal counseling sessions Your own issues influence

how you counsel

28

INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING PROFESSIONRC 611, Winter 2009Dr. Julia Smith

Ed. 244

503-838-8744

smithj@wou.edu

29

We don’t see things as they are, we see

them as we are. *Anais Nin

30

RC 611 Class #3 – 1/21/09Therapeutic Dialogue Establishing the Relationship

Rapport Building Transference and

Countertransference Basic Counseling Skills

31

Active Listening

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

Listen to client’s…

experiences behaviors affect core messages points of view decisions they are making intentions The wider context of their stories

34

Empathy

Empathy means temporarily living in another’s life, moving about in it delicately without making judgments.

(Rogers & Sanford, 1984)

35

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

(Bohart, 1991)

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

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

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

INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING PROFESSIONRC 611, Winter 2009Dr. Julia Smith

Ed. 244

503-838-8744

smithj@wou.edu