1. Counselling Techniques
Presenter:
Reckonel G. Simpson
April 2017 1

2. Ground Rules Participation Communication Acknowledge each other
Active, everyone has a view and it is welcomed
Communication
Open, Honest, Genuine
Acknowledge each other
Be respectful, speak one at a time
Cell Phones – vibrate/silent/off
Let the learning process be fun!

3. Learning Objectives Knowledge: Define Counselling
Identify the characteristics of an effective counsellor
Learning Objectives
Explain the core values of counselling
State at least four (4) guidelines for effective counselling 3

4. Learning Objectives Skill: Attitude:
Demonstrate steps in the counselling process
Attitude:
Learning Objectives
Justify the importance of feedback in counselling
Develop an appreciation of the importance of counselling employees 4

5. What is Counselling? 5

6. Counselling The term ‘counselling’ includes work with
individuals which may be developmental, crisis
support, psychotherapeutic, guiding or
problem solving The task of counselling is
to give the ‘client’ an opportunity to explore,
discover and clarify ways of living more
satisfyingly and resourcefully.
(The British Association for Counselling (BAC) 1984)

7. http://www. communitycounselling. org 7

8. Counselling
Counselling is one of several mental health professions that helps people and institutions cope with the increased stresses of our world.
Helping persons, help themselves.

9. Why Counsel? 9

10. Counselling is usually conducted for the following reasons:
Insight
Self-awareness
Relating with others
Self-acceptance
Self-actualization or individuation
Problem-solving
• Insight: Understanding the origins of emotional difficulties will result in an increased capacity to have control over feelings and actions
• Relating with others: Becoming better able to form and maintain meaningful and satisfying relationships with other people: for example, within the family or workplace.
• Self-awareness: Becoming more aware of thoughts and feelings that had been blocked off or denied, or developing a more accurate sense of how self is perceived by others.
• Self-acceptance: The development of a positive attitude towards self, marked by an ability to acknowledge areas of experience that had been the subject of self-criticism and rejection.
• Self-actualization or individuation: Moving in the direction of fulfilling potential or achieving an integration of previously conflicting parts of self.

11. Counselling is usually conducted for the following reasons:
Acquisition of social skills
Cognitive change
Behaviour change
Systemic change
Empowerment
Restitution
• Problem-solving: Finding a solution to a specific problem that the client had not been able to resolve alone. Acquiring a general competence in problem-solving.
• Acquisition of social skill: Learning and mastering social and interpersonal skills such as maintenance of eye contact, turn-taking in conversations, assertiveness or anger control.
• Cognitive change: The modification or replacement of irrational beliefs or maladaptive thought patterns associated with self-destructive behaviour.
• Behaviour change: The modification or replacement of maladaptive or self destructive patterns of behaviour.
• Systemic change: Introducing change into the way in that social systems (e.g. families) operate.
• Empowerment: Working on skills, awareness and knowledge that will enable the client to take control of his or her own life.
• Restitution: Helping the client to make amends for previous destructive behaviour.

12. The Effective Counsellor12

13. Effective counsellor…
Aware of self & values
In touch with own feelings
Interested in people and social change
Unbiased
Authentic, sincere and honest
Professional attitude
Effective communication skills
Empathetic & Warm
Genuine
Confidential
Tactful
Non-judgmental in approach

15. Do normal people need counselling?15

16. Counselling is appropriate for anyone experiencing any of the following…..
Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Personal issues interfering with sleep, eating habits, concentration, academic performance, and/or relationships
Persistent worry
Prolonged sadness
Feeling depressed, lethargic, or apathetic

17. Counselling is appropriate for anyone experiencing any of the following…..
Thoughts of suicide or wanting to harm yourself
Increased irritability, inappropriate mood swings, angry outbursts
Engaging in bizarre, threatening or dangerous behaviour, violent or other extremely disruptive behaviour.
Indecisiveness or difficulties making decisions

18. Counselling is appropriate for anyone experiencing any of the following…..
Loss of control of your life
Experiencing uncertainty about or career
Concerned about behaviour or psychological status of someone else (e.g., partner, family member, peer) and wondering about how or even whether you should intervene

19. Counselling is appropriate for anyone experiencing any of the following…..
Persons feeling demoralized
Persons loosing faith in their belief system
Anxious, depressed persons
Persons with identity problem
Healthy persons facing crisis
Persons who want to be helped

20. Employee Counselling is needed at the workplace when there is a….
Sudden changes in behaviour or mood
Loss of contact with reality
Reduction or fluctuation in productivity
Increase in tardiness or absenteeism
Increased fatigue
Increasingly pre-occupied
Angry and complaining

21. Core Values of Counselling21

22. Core Values For Counselling
Empathy
Genuineness
Integrity
Professionalism
Warmth
Unconditional Positive Regard & Respect
Concreteness
Openness

23. How is Counselling Done?23

24. The 5-D Model of Counselling
Develop relationship.
Define problem.
Determine goals.
Decide on a plan of action.
Do follow-up.
Note: The phases are fluid and so do not necessarily
follow strictly in the order given. Sometimes a counsellor
may go back and forth between stages.

25. The 5-D Model of Counselling
Counselling could stop after any phase. Sometimes
all that is required are the first one or two phases. For
example, a client after expressing the problem and
then examining it more clearly with the help of the
counsellor might make a decision immediately and
might not require any help at all.

26. The 5-D Model of Counselling
Phase 1 – Developing the Relationship:
During this initial stage, create an atmosphere of
trust, respect and establish rapport with the individual.

27. The 5-D Model of Counselling
Phase 2 – Defining the Problem:
The problem must first be defined by the counselee’s
point of view. Often the problem needs to be
redefined more objectively. It’s important to show
that the counsellor understands the problem from the
counselee’s point of view before challenging them to
look at the problem more objectively.

28. The 5-D Model of Counselling
Steps in Defining the Problem:
Examine the problems
Prioritize the relevant issues
Focus on perspective
Acceptance of the problem
Emphasize on self responsibility
Analyze and solve problems

29. The 5-D Model of Counselling
Phase 3 – Determining Goals:
Choose and prioritize goals and objectives
Make commitments

30. The 5-D Model of Counselling
Phase 4 – Decide on a Plan of Action:
To be workable, the plan must fit into the
counsellee’s life plan, goals, values and the
time that is available:
Generate and explore alternatives
Decision making
Specific steps

31. The 5-D Model of Counselling
Phase 5 – Doing the Follow-up
Here support is given to the counsellee. The
follow-up also includes ensuring that the action
plan is implemented effectively.

32. Guidelines for Effective Counselling32

33. Create a non-threatening and supportive atmosphere for discussion
Emphasize confidentiality
Focus your attention
Listen patiently
Avoid offering hasty advice
Use your active listening skills
Provide supportive responses
Focus all job performance expectations
Convey confidence in the employee

34. Help the employee to identify and articulate the problem
Help the employee to look at several alternatives for solving the problem
Don’t solve the problem for the employee
Encourage the employee to articulate an action Plan
Refer problems that are beyond your expertise

35. Feedback 35

36. Effective Feedback
A verbal or nonverbal communication to a person or group providing information as to how their behaviour is affecting or influencing you (giving feedback). It might also be a reaction by others as to how your behaviour is affecting them.

37. Importance of Feedback
Achieve personal growth
Gains insight and find out about self
Create an open and safe environment for clear communication

38. Guidelines for Feedback
Be specific rather than general
Focus on behaviour
Take into account the needs of the receiver
Should be solicited
Share information rather than advice
Be timely
Evaluative not judgmental
Clearly communicated

39. What To Do With Feedback
USE IT
THINK ABOUT IT
FORGET IT

41. What important value (s) have you learnt today??
How do you intend to use the knowledge gained in your place of work?

42. Summary What is “counselling”?
What are the characteristics of an effective counsellor?
What are the core values of counselling?
Explain the guidelines for effective counselling.
Identify and explain the counselling process.
What is the importance of feedback?