What is counseling?

Counseling is the means by which one person helps another through purposeful conversation

Counseling is a method of identifying practical solution to an identified problem

Common Problems

Personality problems

Family conflicts, Personal problems (Difficulty to adjust with others) etc.

Educational problems

Lack of motivation, Reading difficulties, etc.

Vocational problems

Difference between interests & aptitude

Financial problems

Need for self- support at school or college

Health problems

Psycho- somatic disorders (Insomania)

Common factors for counseling

Two persons are present during counseling

The process leads to action on the part of the

client

The counselor is a person who listens

The client can be trusted to find their own

solutions

Personal growth of the client usually occurs

Counseling is not usually concerned with

Advice-giving

Psychotherapy

Treatment of severe mental illness

Solving client’s life’s problems

Not a remedy for all problems at a single instance

Elements of counseling

An empathetic relationship

The counselor and client relates well

The counselor sticks closely to the clients

problems

The client feels free to say what they like

An atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence

exists

Rapport is essential

Personal qualities of a Counselor

Empathy

Ability to stand empathetically with clients

See the world as they see it

Warmth

Delicate one

Genuineness

Professional manner

But friendly manner

Positive regard

Disposition towards others is positive

Concreteness

Get to listen

Listens empatheticallyClarifies your thoughtsLeads you to logical conclusion

Counseling process

Getting started

Introductory talk

Identifying the issues

Coping with feelings

Identifying possible solutions

Agreeing a plan

Implementing the plan

Review

Counseling skills

Listening

It is the process of ‘hearing’ the other person.

Linguistic aspects

Actual words using by the client

Ex: Expanding a business may turn to

developing a business

Paralinguistic aspectsApart from speech, the timing, volume, pitch, accent of the individual Ex: Variation in volume (speech) in certain times

Non-verbal aspectsrefer to ‘body language expression through the use of the body. ( facial expression,use of gestures, body position and movement)

Giving informationHow much information is given during a counseling session will depend on the nature of the counseling relationship

Concrete issues

Expanding a business

Developing a career

Completing a college course

Buying a house

The expert counselor will access the particular and accurate information of the individual.

Personal issues

- Continuing a relationship

- Coping with the death of a relative- Developing self awareness- Working through depression

Client is the ‘expert’

Making suggestions

‘Concrete’ domain

Ex: Due to parents(option) force a student may be forced to choose a subject

Drawing outOpen questions:

Do not have one correct answer

Have one word answer

Ex: How did you feel when that happened?

Closed questions:

Yes or no answer only.

Ex: Have you discussed with your parents?

ReflectionBack of the few words client has spoken To clarify his thoughts and feelings

Ex: I found it is difficult to get a job……………

Challenging

v Challenge to client saying

v Counselor role is a supportive

v Counselor is in ‘plain speaking’

Ex: There is no one in my

organization that I can talk to at all

Supporting

§ Client’s advocate - Counselor

§ Problems the client identified

§ Counselor “follow traveler”

Ex: I have some difficulties to

study at my home

ReviewEvaluation carried out

Ex: Positive and negative

feedback about the counseling

Stages in Career Guidance

Reviewing

Individual needs in relation to work and available options. (Occupational information)

Goal – setting

Clarify and set achievable goals (Self Assessment)

Action planning

Agreed, undertaken and evaluated (Training)

Difference between Counseling & Guidance

Counseling

Helps to analyse the problem

Professional manner

Rapport is essential

left to the individual

Guidance

Giving assistance

In Friendly concern

To develop a positive outlook

Expects to advice

Requirements to establish a career counseling center

• Physical setting

• Privacy

• Rapport

• Test material should be available

• Maintain confidentiality

• Communication

• Attentiveness