Chapters 7&8 Flashcards
Johari Window
a conceptual device used to represent the way in which most individuals enter the counselling relationship
4 quadrants (known to self/others)
First two phases of counselling help a client relax enough to tell their story and discover information located in the blind areas of themselves. Once they obtain a better understanding of these areas informed clients can decide how to proceed
functional fixity
people think their perceptions and interpretations are accurate. Seeing things in only one way or from one perspective or being fixated on the idea that this particular situation or attribute is the issue. This phenomenon is called functional fixity.
reframing
Perceptions commonly change through the process of reframing. It is a technique that offers the client another probable and positive viewpoint or perspective on a situation.
leading
Changing client perceptions requires a high degree of persuasive skill and some direction from the counsellor, known as leading. A counsellor anticipates where their clients are and where they are likely to go.
e.g. of leads are silence, acceptance, paraphrasing, as well as persuasion.
minimal leads
hmm, yes, I hear you. low risk
maximum leads
confrontation for example, are more challenging and should be used when a solid relationship has been established
Continuum of Leads
Silence
Acceptance
Restatement(paraphrase)
clarification
approval (affirmation)
General Leads
Interpretation
Rejection (persuasion)
Reassurance
Introducing new information/idea
affective responses
focus on a client’s feelings
behavioural responsess
focus on actions
cognitive responses
focuses on the client’s thoughts
3 types of empathy
subjective
interpersonal
objective
Subjective empathy
counsellors momentarily feel what it is like to be the client
interpersonal empathy
feeling the clients experience from his or her perspective
objective empathy
results from having knowledge about the client’s problem from reputable sources
What makes empathy possible according to Rogers?
1)realizing that an infinite number of feelings does not exist
2) you can let yourself into the world of the other person and know that you can return your own world. Everything you are feeling is ‘as if’
primary empathy
involves communicating a basic understanding of what the client is feeling and the experiences and behaviours underlying these feelings.
Advanced empathy
reflects not only what clients state overtly but also what they imply or state incompletely.
e.g. client says…I hope everything works out and trails off
counsellor says, For if it doesn’t, I’m not sure what to do next…
3 elements of empathy:
perceptiveness, know-how and assertiveness.
Carkhuff Scale: Empathic Understanding in Interpersonal Process
- verbal and behavioural expressions of the counsellor either do not attend to or detract significantly from the verbal and behavioural expressions of the client
- Although the counsellor responds to the expressed feelings of the client, he or she does so in a way that subtracts noticeable affect from the communication of the client
- The expressions of the counsellor in response to the expressions of the client are essentially interchangeable
- The responses of the counsellor add noticeably to the expression of the client in a way that expresses feelings at a deeper level than the client was able to express
- The counsellor’s responses add significantly to the feeling and meaning of the expressions of the client in a way that accurately expresses feeling at levels below what the client is able to express.
Self-disclosure
a conscious, intentional technique in which clinicians share information about their lives outside the cousnelling relationship. It can help establish trust. Each relationship needs to be evaluated in regard to self disclosure.
dyadic effect
reciprocal self-disclosure
According to Egan what 2 principal functions does self-disclosure serve?
1) Modelling
2) Developing a new perspective
Clients learn to be more open by observing counsellors who are open.
Clients see that counsellors are not free of problems or devoid of feelings. and may be able to examine their own lives seeing that problems are universal and manageable
According to Egan what are 3 things self-disclosure should be:
1) brief and focused
2) not add to clients problems
3) not be used too frequently
What are questions counsellors can ask themselves prior to self-disclosure
1) Have I thought about why I’m disclosing?
2) Are there more effective less risky ways to reach this goal?
3) Is my timing right
Immediacy
one of the most important skills in counselling. It focuses on the “Here and Now” of the therapeutic relationship.
At its core, immediacy involves a counsellors and a clients understanding and communicating what is going on between them - including feelings, impressions and expectations.
3 kinds of immediacy
1) Overall (How are you and I doing?)
2) Immediacy that focuses on a particular even in a session - whats going on between us right now
3) Self-involving statements (I like the way you took charge of your life in that situations).
Fears about immediacy
1) clients misinterpret counsellor messages: counsellors need to make a tentative guess and fear that a wrong guess loses credibility
2) may produce unexpected outcomes
3) Clients can’t manipulate the relationship so may terminate.
Best times to use immediacy
- directionless relationship
- where there is tension
- question of trust
- considerable social distance between cr & ce (i.e. cultural backgrounds)
- client dependency
- counter-dependency
- attraction between client and counsellor
Humour
incongruent or unexpected response to a question. Requires both sensitivity & timing. Should never be demeaning. Used to build bridges
It can circumvent resistance, build rapport, dispel tension, distance self from psychological pain.
Can be used to challenge a client’s beliefs, magnify irrational beliefs to absurdity, or make a paradoxical intervention.
confrontation
confrontation is invitational. At its best helps client to examine, modify or control an aspect of behaviour that is currently nonexistent or improperly used.
Two Aspects of Contracting
1) focuses on the processes involved in reaching a goal.
2) concentrates on the final outcome
Advantages of contracts
1)Provide a written record of goals the counsellor and client have agreed to pursue and the course of action to be taken
2) Formal nature & time limits may act as motivators for a client who tends to procrastinate
3) If contract is broken into definable sections, a client may get a clear feeling that problems can be solved
4) responsibility for change on the client, has the potential to empower the client to be more responsive
5) outlining number of sessions assures the client will return regularly.
Approaches to setting up contracts:
- what would you like to work on
- change in the client rather than a person not present
- not include try or maybe
- not goals towards pleasing others (i.e. should/must)
- define concretely what clients wish to achieve. difference between: be happy vs. lose 10 pounds, talk to 3 new people/day
- must focus on change. understanding is good, but insight alone does not produce action.
Acronym for contracts
SAFE
Specificity (goals)
Awareness (procedures)
Fairness (relationship is balanced)
Efficacy (empowered decision making)