Chapter 11: Working Within An A User-Centered Approach To Counselling Flashcards
Focussing on the needs of the user, where the user could be in all kinds of contexts and accessing all kinds of services. Keeping the client and the clients needs at the heart of the work at every stage of the counselling process
User-centered approach
Different then the person-centered approach, which means that a counselor’s way of working is founded on establishing a particular kind of client-counts a relationship and using a particular range of non-directive skills which leave the client in control of the counselling session
What is the first stage of being user-centered in counseling?
Agreeing the contract and establishing the focus of the work in a user-centered Way. Agreeing the contract should be seen as a negotiation rather than simply giving information.
Difficult when a client has been forced to enter counseling. This is why a counsellor has to be willing and able to respond to where the client actually is, not where the counsellor hopes they are
What are some reasons why a client might be unwilling to work with a counselor, even if they arrive willingly?
The counsellor is very different than the client. For example, in age or race
The counselling agency offers a limited number of sessions, and the client feels that their problem requires more
What are a few tips for trying to work with clients who are reluctant to engage in counselling at all or in counselling with you?
Acknowledge the clients reluctance if it is evident
Acknowledge the clients feelings, especially hostile feelings, towards the counsellor or towards counselling
Meet the client where they are in their process, not where you expect/want/hope them to be
Listen to what the client wants at that moment
Listen for underlying issues that you can work with
Be prepared to except that even after you’ve tried this approach it may not be what the client wants
What is the second step in establishing a user-centered focus in counseling?
Identify why the client has come for counselling and what they want to focus on.
Different theoretical models will also place a greater emphasis on the importance of agreeing an explicit focus. For example, a person centred approach would not use an overt goal setting technique.
Even if you do not agree with what the client wants from counseling, it is important to focus on what is in the best interest of the client. Remember that people are different and diverse. We cannot assume what is more important for the client.
Describe what it means to state user-centered during the counselling process?
Understanding that even if you were able to agree to a focus at the start of the session, it may change as the work progresses. This means shifting the focus of the counseling. One common reason why the clients focus may change is that, as trust develops, the “real“ issue or a deeper issue emerges.
It is important that the work is still focussing on what the client needs. Therefore, the counselor may stay with what the client is bringing to the work in the belief that any other issues discussed will re-emerge if they become more relevant. Or reflect to the client that they had noted a change in the focus of the work and then check that this is the direction the client wants to follow. We either sort of trust the client and go with the flow or check out that the client wants to change direction.
What are some reasons a client may not feel able to be honest with the counselor?
Fear of hurting the counsellors feelings
Fear of the counsellor being angry
Shame and/or guilt
Wanting to be liked
Wanting to be a “good“ client
Wanting to “get better“ so the counsellor doesn’t feel bad
Loss of focus
Feeling stuck
Not liking the counsellor
Loss of trust
This is why it is good practice to have regular reviews to check back with the client and offer an opportunity for them to give feedback.
Therefore, in summary, in order to work within a user-centered approach to counseling, you need to:
Agree the focus of the work when negotiating the contract
Recognize, acknowledge, and work with any client resistance to counselling
Monitor and remain focussed on the clients changing needs throughout the counselling work
Ask the client for feedback on how the work is going
Make use of supervision to make sure you are remaining user-centered
