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

2. 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

3. 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  

4. 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. 

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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. 

12. 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?

13. 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.

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

15. 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 

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.