Counselling

Definition

” n. professional assistance in coping with personal problems, including emotional, behavioral, vocational, marital, educational, rehabilitation, and life-stage (e.g., retirement) problems. The counselor makes use of such techniques as active listening, guidance, advice, discussion, clarification, and the administration of tests.” APA Dictionary of Psychology

What is Counselling

  • professional assistance in coping with personal problems
  • share views, be heard, gain new perspectives
  • help gain clarity
  • a generalist health service specialty in professional psychology
  • to help improve wellbeing
  • alleviate distress
  • resolve crises

  • should not enable
  • should not invalidate
  • should not advice
  • informed
  • sensitive
  • confidential

Counselling Psychology 101

Link to original

Basic Counselling Skills

  1. Attending - Show you’re paying attention
  2. Listen
  3. Rapport Building
  4. Silence
  5. Paraphrasing
  6. Reflective Listening
  7. Empathy

Guidance vs Counselling

GuidanceCounselling
advice on general problemsprofessional help
broader scopemore in-depth
anyone with experience can guideprofessional counsellor who is trained and certified

Counsellor vs Therapist

CounsellorTherapist
Short term, focused on resolving a situationLong term, clincal. Making the individual self sufficient, ensure they can stand on their own
more broadmore specific
present issuesexplores root causes
focuses on present issues like grief and bereavementhelps treat mental illnesses and conditions

In common: Both promote wellbeing and help reduce distress Both are personalized Both help overcome challenges Both need a license and training

Goals of Counselling

  1. Promoting growth & development
  2. Exploring difficult feelings
  3. Improving relationships
  4. Enhancing coping skills
  5. Facilitating behaviour change
  6. Exploring choices & making decisions

Mnemonic

GFRCBD - Genuinely, frick RCB dude growth, feelings, relationships, coping, behaviour, decisions

Types of Counselling

[Not an exhaustive list] Relationship and Marriage Vocational and Career Family Counselling Trauma Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Student Grief and Loss Depression Anxiety

How to measure effectiveness of therapy?

Reduction of Symptoms Improved Functioning Client Satisfaction Achievement of Goals Quality of the Therapeutic Relationship Long-Term Impact Objective Measures Feedback and Evaluation