Effective Counseling Session - Case Study Example

Heading: Counseling Session Your name: Course name: Professors’ name: Date Introduction Counseling has been in existence for a long time now. Human beings have always wanted to understand themselves, provide counsel and develop their potential, become aware of certain opportunities, and help themselves in the ways that relate to formal guidance practice. There is a strong belief among various communities that people can help one another resolve their problems. Some of them aid others in finding ways of addressing with, transcending and solving problems. For effective counseling to take place, a counselor should have adequate and appropriate counseling skills. In addition, these skills must be applied in the right way in order to be effective in the session. Therefore, this paper seeks to explore some of the counseling skills used in a session, how they are appropriately applied, ways of enhancing the skills, and the implications on the counselor’s future development. A summary of the session The counseling session in this case involves a lady who has issues with her partner. In the session, the client is taken through a counseling session by a counselor. In her story, it is explicit that the client and the partner have various problems that have adversely affected their relationship. She says that there is a serious issue of miscommunication in the relationship in that she tries to present her problems, but the partner does not want to understand her. She also asserts that the client does not understand her and ignores her whenever she tries to bring any issue. For instance, whenever, the client’s partner just responds to her by saying that she understands it, but really, he does not listen to her problems. Additionally, the client claims that the issue affects her work and life because every time she raises the issue, the partner just dismisses her. In fact, sometimes, the situation gets worse to a situation that both of them do not talk at all. Moreover, there is a fact that the client’s partner always criticizes her whenever she tries to correct him, but he claims that she nags him. Besides seeing her only once a week, he does not talk to her for long. Furthermore, the client says that at some point, she was forced to go oversees so as to ignore him, but he kept calling her to return. Upon her return, he went back to his old way. Although she is attentive to his needs and requests, he does not care about her needs. He goes out with friends, but he cannot stand her hanging out with her friends without notifying him. According to the client, the partner is straight-forward, temperamental and stubborn, but she is calm. In fact, the client is stuck as she does not know what to do with him. In conclusion, the counselor advices her to be more clear and precise next time she is talking to him. Identification of the counseling skills you used and a brief explanation of why you used them In the session, I employed various counseling skills in order to make it successful. To begin with, I applied attitudinal skills that entail both positive and reactive attitudes (Jones, 2009, pp. 10-20). These skills involve respect, congruence, genuineness, empathy, confrontation, self-disclosure, and unconditional positive regard. In terms of respect, I tried as much as possible to support the client by structuring counseling to her needs, resources and capacities. Here, I made the client realize that the problem and the solution is hers. In terms of congruence or genuineness, I tried to maintain honesty, trust and transparency in the session (Smaby 2010, pp. 10-20). As a result, I developed warmth, respect and open communication for the client throughout the session. In addition, I also employed an unconditioned positive regard for the client; hence, making the client feel valued and welcomed in the session. Moreover, this attitude made the client at ease to talk about her problems. Empathy is another constituent in the application of attitudinal skills (Cameron, 2007, pp. 12-16). This was significant in enabling me to understand the client’s experience and communicate the feeling to her. In other words, empathy concerns getting into a client’s personal perceptual world as well as being sensitive her feelings regardless of whether it is bad or good. Self-disclosure was also significant in the session in that it facilitated easy communication between the client and me. It also helped the client to have a better understanding of herself and her problem (Geldard, 2008, pp. 17-30). Therefore, I used these skills because I wanted to create a positive attitude towards the client in order to facilitate easy and effective communication between us. Another most vital skill that I used in the counseling session is listening skills (Forneris, Danish, &Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). Here, I had to listen and react to the client according to what I understood. This skill required that I received and sent suitable messages to the client. Through listening, I was able to meet the client’s needs effectively. This is because the way she communicated was much more revealing than concealing. I applied listening skills so as to clearly understand what the client’s problem and respond appropriately. In addition, Forneris, Danish, &Scott (2007, pp. 12-19) argue that verbal communication skills were highly indispensable in the counseling session. These skills entailed conversing through the word of mouth. According to Forneris, Danish, &Scott (2007, pp. 12-19), verbal communication requires appropriate vocabulary so as to facilitate development of understanding and rapport; hence efficient communication. Apart from the literal form of verbal communication, I also applied emotional form that involves volume and emotional edge and non-verbal cues like gestures (Cameron, 2007, pp. 12-16). Moreover, I also paid attention to other elements, such as, clichés, beliefs, intimacy, emotions, and facts. I employed the skills because they would promote easy communication, understanding and development of a good rapport (Forneris, Danish, & Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). What is more, I used leads as one of the skills in the session. These involve statements use in communication between a counselor and client (Forneris, Danish, &Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). Here, I employed various classes of leads that include restatement of client’s content, questioning, reassurance, reflection of feeling, and interpretation. I used restatements in order to enhance understanding through rephrasing or repeating communication. Cameron (2007, pp. 12-16) asserts that questioning was vital in seeking more information and asking the client to explain a point. Geldard (2008, pp. 17-30) notes that reassurance is also important in reinforcing or rewarding the client’s in an attempt to support her elaboration of feelings and ideas. In addition, I employed reflection of feeling in order to understand from her pint of view, while interpretation was used to make sense of the client’s statements. Evaluation of your application of the skills including verbatim examples In the counseling session, I employed my skills effectively in order to successfully understand the client and solve her problems. To start with, I used my attitudinal skills to develop a positive attitude in the client so as to facilitate easy understanding. Here, I managed to empathize with the client so as understand her experience and communicate the feeling (Forneris, Danish, &Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). Moreover, through empathy, I succeeded in understanding and responding to the client’s feelings and content. In addition, I respected the clients by not forcing my values on her as well as not being judgmental. This way, I successfully met her needs because I had to restructure the session towards her needs, resources and capacities (Lee, 2009, P.100). By maintaining genuineness, I developed transparency, trust and honesty in the client; hence enhancing easy communication between us. Creation of welcoming, respectful and warm environment for the client was achieved through maintenance of unconditioned positive regard (Forneris, Danish, &Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). Self-disclosure also helped me succeed in the session in that it facilitated easy communication in the client. In addition, I employed listening skills in order to respond to the client’s needs and problems efficiently. I managed to understand the client’s problems and encourage her to further explain her issues through listening. This skill enabled the client to freely open up to me; hence enhancing the provision of the appropriate responses to problem (Forneris, Danish, &Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). Through listening, I managed to identify some of the issues that the client did not disclose by word of mouth, but through the way she explained herself. The appropriateness of the skill is demonstrated by the fact that I was able to understand her problem and provide the right solutions to her problems. Verbal communication skill was also used well in the session in order to enhance easy communication between the client and me. This skill involved face-to-face conversation with the client through a word of mouth. Here, I asked the client some questions as I responded to them appropriately. For instance, I asked her “How are you feeling today?” “How do u feel when he does not understand?” in order to reinforce this skill, I employed other gestures, such as, nods and eye contact. I also employed leads such as, restatements, questions, reassurance, interpretation, and reflection of feeling. These elements enabled me to obtain as much information as possible in order to understand her well. For instance, I restated the client’s content “You say that when he wants something, he gets it done, but when you want something, it is not done?” This way, I was able to effectively communicate with the client because the client became more open and felt that I understood and empathized with her. I also asked her how the situation was in the past, and she explained it well. Finally, I summarized the session by advising her to be more precise and clear when communicating with her partner. I even asked her if she thinks that clarity and preciseness would change the situation. Suggestions for improvement in your application of the skills, including verbatim examples of what you could have said or done In order to make the counseling session more effective, I feel that there are other skills that ought to have been used. For instance, I should have incorporated confrontation in the session in order to avoid contradiction of the client. I also need to employ more digging skills in order to easily get the issue that the counselor is trying to avoid in the session. This implies that more questioning techniques ought to have been applied in the session so as to gather as much information from the client as possible. For instance, I should have asked whether the client thinks that she is the cause of the partner’s behavior, or whether she has any suggestions on potential solutions to their problems. Additionally, reflecting techniques would enhance the understanding of the client’s problems so as to respond suitably (Geldard, 2008, pp. 17-30). This would also encourage further exploration of the issue and interaction between the client and me. What is more, I feel that I should employed some filtering technique, which entails mental sorting of the client’s information in order to better understand actual problem that needs to be addressed (Bryant-Jefferies, 2004, p.119). I also need to evaluate my listening and terminating skills in order to enhance communication (Geldard, & Geldard, 2009 p.121). Furthermore, I should have used note-taking technique in order to be more discreet throughout the session. A reflection on your overall effectiveness as the counselor In my opinion, I feel that I did my counseling job quite well despite the aforementioned areas of improvement. It is explicit that I have mastered certain counseling skills that ought to be practiced and enhanced so as to improve my performance in future sessions. Therefore, it is imperative that I get involved in more counseling sessions so as to attain all the essential counseling skills. Implications for your future development The aforementioned facts imply that I have to do a lot in order to improve my counseling skills in future. I need to work on my listening skills, digging skills, such as, reflecting, leading, questioning and interpreting techniques (Ingrams, 2011, p.61). The experience also suggests that more note-taking method is necessary in the future in order to enhance better communication. Moreover, in future, there is a necessity to work on attitudinal and verbal communication skills in order to make counseling more successful (Forneris, Danish, &Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). Conclusion The case addressed in the paper involves a client who has issues with her partner. In counseling her, I employed various skills including attitudinal skills, verbal communication skills, giving leads, and listening skills. I applied the aforementioned skills in order to enhance easy communication, adequate information, understanding, and provision of appropriate response to the client. In addition, there is a need to enhance on some skills in order to promote future development in the counseling profession. References Bryant-Jefferies, R.(2004). Counselling for progressive disability: person-centred dialogues. Sydney: Radcliffe Publishing.PP. 119-129. Cameron, H. (2007). Counselling Adolescents: The Proactive Approach. Journal of Family Studies, 13(5), 10-14. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5028582754 Forneris, T., Danish, S.J. &Scott, D.L. (2007). Setting Goals, Solving Problems, and Seeking Social Support: Developing Adolescents' Abilities through a Life Skills Program. Adolescence, 42(3), 12-19. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5021769236 Geldard, K., & Geldard, D.(2009). Relationship Counselling for Children, Young People and Families. New Jersey, NJ: SAGE Publications Ltd. PP. 121-123. Geldard, K. (2008). Personal counseling skills: an integrative approach. Springfield, Ill: Charles C. Thomas, Publisher. Pp. 17-30. Ingrams, J. (2011). Counselling...? Me?: A Guide to the Talking Therapies. New York, NY: Karnac Books. PP. 61-78. Jones, R. (2009). Introduction to counseling skills: texts and activities. Los Angeles London: SAGE. Pp. 10-20. Lee, B.T. (2009). Experiencing the Heart of Pastoral Counselling. New York, NY: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd. 100-121. Smaby, M. (2010). Basic and advanced counseling skills: the skilled counselor training model. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. Pp. 10-20. Read More

In fact, the client is stuck as she does not know what to do with him. In conclusion, the counselor advices her to be more clear and precise next time she is talking to him. Identification of the counseling skills you used and a brief explanation of why you used them In the session, I employed various counseling skills in order to make it successful. To begin with, I applied attitudinal skills that entail both positive and reactive attitudes (Jones, 2009, pp. 10-20). These skills involve respect, congruence, genuineness, empathy, confrontation, self-disclosure, and unconditional positive regard.

In terms of respect, I tried as much as possible to support the client by structuring counseling to her needs, resources and capacities. Here, I made the client realize that the problem and the solution is hers. In terms of congruence or genuineness, I tried to maintain honesty, trust and transparency in the session (Smaby 2010, pp. 10-20). As a result, I developed warmth, respect and open communication for the client throughout the session. In addition, I also employed an unconditioned positive regard for the client; hence, making the client feel valued and welcomed in the session.

Moreover, this attitude made the client at ease to talk about her problems. Empathy is another constituent in the application of attitudinal skills (Cameron, 2007, pp. 12-16). This was significant in enabling me to understand the client’s experience and communicate the feeling to her. In other words, empathy concerns getting into a client’s personal perceptual world as well as being sensitive her feelings regardless of whether it is bad or good. Self-disclosure was also significant in the session in that it facilitated easy communication between the client and me.

It also helped the client to have a better understanding of herself and her problem (Geldard, 2008, pp. 17-30). Therefore, I used these skills because I wanted to create a positive attitude towards the client in order to facilitate easy and effective communication between us. Another most vital skill that I used in the counseling session is listening skills (Forneris, Danish, &Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). Here, I had to listen and react to the client according to what I understood. This skill required that I received and sent suitable messages to the client.

Through listening, I was able to meet the client’s needs effectively. This is because the way she communicated was much more revealing than concealing. I applied listening skills so as to clearly understand what the client’s problem and respond appropriately. In addition, Forneris, Danish, &Scott (2007, pp. 12-19) argue that verbal communication skills were highly indispensable in the counseling session. These skills entailed conversing through the word of mouth. According to Forneris, Danish, &Scott (2007, pp. 12-19), verbal communication requires appropriate vocabulary so as to facilitate development of understanding and rapport; hence efficient communication.

Apart from the literal form of verbal communication, I also applied emotional form that involves volume and emotional edge and non-verbal cues like gestures (Cameron, 2007, pp. 12-16). Moreover, I also paid attention to other elements, such as, clichés, beliefs, intimacy, emotions, and facts. I employed the skills because they would promote easy communication, understanding and development of a good rapport (Forneris, Danish, & Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). What is more, I used leads as one of the skills in the session.

These involve statements use in communication between a counselor and client (Forneris, Danish, &Scott, 2007, pp. 12-19). Here, I employed various classes of leads that include restatement of client’s content, questioning, reassurance, reflection of feeling, and interpretation. I used restatements in order to enhance understanding through rephrasing or repeating communication. Cameron (2007, pp. 12-16) asserts that questioning was vital in seeking more information and asking the client to explain a point.

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