Ch 5/6 (The Counseling Process & Microskills) Flashcards
What is the most critical component of counseling?
Therapeutic alliance/relationship
What are some key characteristics of effective counselors?
- empathy, emotional expression, acceptance
- therapeutic bond, safety & trust
- consistent and transparent
- communicate hope & encouragement
- self aware (culture and context)
What are some common issues that may get in the way of effective counseling?
- “School-learning” doesn’t match client in practice
- Forget relationship building, jump to problem fixing
- Active Placebo (counselor and client expectations)
What are some typical client characteristics at the onset of counseling?
apprehensive, timid, guarded; can be disengaged or withdrawn
What are the stages of change (Prochaska)?
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Action
- Maintenance
- (Relapse sometimes occurs)
What are the BEST client characteristics to ensure positive counseling outcomes?
- high distress from symptoms
- further along in stages of change
- never been to counseling before
What is the “art” of helping?
Comes from our ability to be in touch with our passion and desire to build relationships with other humans
What is the “science” of helping?
The use of research-based practices. Outcome research and Action research (to solve an immediate problem)
What brings clients into counseling?
Inability to cope with life or specific challenges
What may affect clients’ opinions coming into counseling?
- Apperceptions
- Connotations
- Perceptions
Apperceptions
What clients have heard from others
Connotations
What clients believe about counseling
Perceptions
Clients’ past experiences with other counselors
Active Placebo
How effective the client thinks counseling is due to things unrelated to counseling, such as the counselor’s professional appearance, office setting, etc.
What is different between a counseling relationship and other relationships?
Most relationships have a reciprocal exchange of information, counseling by nature does not.
“Real Relationship” (between client and counselor)
The overt, explicit relationship between the counselor and client. It is influenced by transference, countertransference, etc.
Working Alliance
Collaboration between client and counselor
Goal setting is a ____ process and should be ___ evaluated.
Fluid; constantly
Counselors are most effective when they:
- recognize and use Best Practices
- Consume research
- Recognize own skills & limitations
Relational Competence
How personality affects the counseling relationship
How should an effective counselor handle resistance? (atheoretical)
Reframe it to understand it as a way the client is communicating with you
Microskills
Verbal and behavioral responses to a client
Attending Skills
- Non-verbal communication (mhmm, hmm, etc)
- Eye contact
- Body position (SOLER)
- Vocal tone/verbal underlining
SOLER
Square, Open, Lean, Eye contact, Relaxed
What are the 3 goals of listening to a client?
- Summarize and understand issues
- Identify key components/themes
- Identify core emotions/feelings of client
Open Question
Client-driven answers, far less predictable answers. Good for delving into deeper issues
Closed Question
Short answer or yes/no. Good for concrete and specific info (such as intake assessments)
Reflecting Skills
- Active Listening
- Paraphrasing
- Reflecting feelings
- Reflecting meaning
- Summarizing
- Challenging/confrontation
