From the Experts: BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE COUNSELLOR
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Note from the Editor:
This article was written for the SDC by psychologist and member @Jan A. Jan A. works part-time, taking on clients under the Medicare Mental Health Care Plans. She works with people of all ages, from children to seniors!
This article may not apply to you. The aim is to reach anyone interested in becoming a counsellor, whether professionally or as a volunteer. Do you know someone who could benefit from this knowledge? Be sure to send this to them!
For those who are interested in becoming counsellors or improving their counselling skills, this article sets out some handy guidance for you to do the best for your clients.
Effective counselling can make a huge positive difference in a person’s life. People can be in situations causing them stress and confusion. Your role as counsellor is not to solve their problems but to help them think more clearly and make constructive decisions.
The most important role of the counsellor is to listen respectfully to the person, allowing them to express their feelings without feeling judged or dismissed. When they feel comfortable expressing their feelings, you can help them feel empowered to deal with their issues.
In many situations, there are two messages that the client will give the counsellor:
1. What happened
2. How they feel about it
People need objective validation for their feelings. If you only acknowledge what happened, they will not feel that you have heard them or understood their problems.
You must also address how they feel about it. They may not express their feelings directly. You may need to assess their feelings based on what they are saying and how they are saying it. You need to convey that you understand their feelings, why they would feel that way in the circumstances and that anyone in those circumstances would feel the same way. Never say you know how they feel because they will interpret that as patronising and insulting. You need to let them know that, on an objective level, you understand why they would feel the way they do and confirm they are entitled to those feelings.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque in diam id erat facilisis consectetur vitae vel urna.
Ut lacus libero, suscipit auctor ipsum sit amet, viverra pretium nisl. Nullam facilisis nec odio nec dapibus. Integer maximus risus et velit porttitor ullamcorper
This article was written for the SDC by psychologist and member @Jan A. Jan A. works part-time, taking on clients under the Medicare Mental Health Care Plans. She works with people of all ages, from children to seniors!
This article may not apply to you. The aim is to reach anyone interested in becoming a counsellor, whether professionally or as a volunteer. Do you know someone who could benefit from this knowledge? Be sure to send this to them!
For those who are interested in becoming counsellors or improving their counselling skills, this article sets out some handy guidance for you to do the best for your clients.
Effective counselling can make a huge positive difference in a person’s life. People can be in situations causing them stress and confusion. Your role as counsellor is not to solve their problems but to help them think more clearly and make constructive decisions.
The most important role of the counsellor is to listen respectfully to the person, allowing them to express their feelings without feeling judged or dismissed. When they feel comfortable expressing their feelings, you can help them feel empowered to deal with their issues.
Are you interested in becoming a counsellor? Image Credit: Shutterstock
In many situations, there are two messages that the client will give the counsellor:
1. What happened
2. How they feel about it
People need objective validation for their feelings. If you only acknowledge what happened, they will not feel that you have heard them or understood their problems.
You must also address how they feel about it. They may not express their feelings directly. You may need to assess their feelings based on what they are saying and how they are saying it. You need to convey that you understand their feelings, why they would feel that way in the circumstances and that anyone in those circumstances would feel the same way. Never say you know how they feel because they will interpret that as patronising and insulting. You need to let them know that, on an objective level, you understand why they would feel the way they do and confirm they are entitled to those feelings.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque in diam id erat facilisis consectetur vitae vel urna.
Ut lacus libero, suscipit auctor ipsum sit amet, viverra pretium nisl. Nullam facilisis nec odio nec dapibus. Integer maximus risus et velit porttitor ullamcorper
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