HISTORY & PERSONAL ASPECTS OF COUNSELLING EDPY 442: Intro to Counselling Sophie Yohani, Ph.D. R. Psych

Definitions of Counselling A helping relationship in which at least one of the parties has the intent of promoting the growth, development, maturity, improved functioning and improved coping with life of the other (party) C. Rogers, 1961

Definitions of Counselling The application of mental health, psychological or human development principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioural or systemic interventions, strategies that address wellness, personal growth, or career development, as well as pathology American Counselling Association, 1997  

Counselling and Related Professions Guidance Guidance is the processes of helping people make important choices that affect their lives. Guidance has often been associated with making decisions regarding career options. Distinguished from counselling in that guidance is often associated with helping individuals choose what they value, whereas counselling focuses on change. Example: Guidance counsellor working with I.B. student in an International School setting. 

Counselling and Related Professions Psychotherapy Historically, has focused on serious problems associated with intrapsychic, internal, and personal conflict issues. Emphasis had been on: (a) past, (b) insight more than change, (c) detachment of therapist, (d) role of therapist as expert, (e) long- term (20-40 sessions) and (f) in-patient settings. Some counselling theories can be used in a counselling or psychotherapy setting.   Example: Woman with fear of feathers

COUNSELLING Counselling is theory-based, usually involves work with individuals who are considered functioning well as well as those who are having serious problems. A collaborative relationship where the aim is to help a client achieve their goals. The counsellor is seen as an expert in the helping process whereas the client is an expert on his/her own life.

COUNSELLING Focus is on intra- and interpersonal concerns related to finding meaning and adjustment in a variety of setting including schools and home settings.   Approach is to facilitate choices and change, through resolving developmental or situational problems. Addresses prevention, growth, and remediation across all stages of development.

COUNSELLING Counsellors are increasingly engaging in public advocacy as part of their skills sets. Typically short-term (8-12 sessions).

QUALITIES OF EFFECTIVE COUNSELLORS Curious and inquisitive Ability to listen Comfort with conversation Empathy and understanding Emotional insightfulness Introspection Capacity for self-denial Tolerance of intimacy Comfort with power Ability to laugh

PERSONAL ASPECTS OF COUNSELING It is through the self as an instrument that we are able to understand and influence others – Combs & Gonzalez, 1994 Dysfunctional Motivators Emotional distress Vicarious coping Vicarious rebellion Loneliness and isolation Need for love Desire for power  

COUNSELLOR SELF-CARE & PROFESSIONAL BURNOUT   Like teaching, there is a high capacity for burnout in counselling, due to the intense, close and personal nature of the work. Current research suggests there mental health professionals tend to use counselling services at higher rates than other professionals.   The nature of the profession reduces any stigma associated with seeking help for mental health difficulties. 

COUNSELLOR SELF-CARE & PROFESSIONAL BURNOUT Should counsellors undergo personal counselling in order to be effective in helping others?   The issue of personal counselling for counsellors is a debated area amongst counsellor educators. Are you more effective as a counsellor because you have had personal experiences of suffering and can identify better with clients?  Are you more effective because you are free of any “baggage” that could interfere with the counselling process?

PROFESSIONAL NATURE OF COUNSELLING  Counsellors as Professional Helpers Non-professional helpers – untrained with varying levels of helping styles. E.g. colleagues or friends. Generalist human service workers – some formal training, often work as part of a team. E.g. Youth workers, floor monitors in Lister and other residences – some training. Professional helpers – specific education. Includes psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, etc.

COUNSELLOR TRAINING IN ALBERTA (1) Minimum of a masters degree (2) chartering (3) professional development. Psychologists Association of Alberta (PAA): www.psychologistsassociation.ab.ca Collage of Alberta Psychologist (CAP): www.cap.ab.ca Canadian Counselling Association (CAA) www.caacc.ca

COUNSELLOR ATTRIBUTION MODELS  Medical Model Clients are not responsible for either causing the problem or providing the solution. The counsellor is the expert who provides the necessary interventions for change. Example: Working with a woman in a physically abusive relationship   Disadvantage: Client can become dependant 

COUNSELLOR ATTRIBUTION MODELS Moral Model Clients are responsible for causing and solving their own problems. Counsellors facilitate healing through by motivating and encouraging their clients. Example: Working with a woman who is physically abusive towards her partner Drawback: What if client is a teenager who was physically abused throughout childhood? Disadvantage: Victims of circumstances can be held responsible for their victimization

COUNSELLOR ATTRIBUTION MODELS Compensatory Model Clients are not responsible for causing their problems, but they are responsible for solving them. Counsellors collaborate with client in overcoming problems by providing client with skills and opportunities to make changes. Example: Working with the woman in the physically abusive relationship   Drawback: What if client has been in numerous physically abusive relationships? Disadvantage: Client may feel pressure to continually solve problems they did not create.

COUNSELLOR ATTRIBUTION MODELS Enlightenment Model Clients are responsible for causing their problems but are not responsible for solving them. Counsellors are experts who can provide solutions to client-caused problems. Example: 12-step programs from individuals with addictions   Disadvantage: Does this approach help with lapses? Drawback: Does not promote client independence and clients may rely heavily on authority figures outside of counselling.