Counseling Definition Meaning and Techniques Dr Muhammad Ibrar

Counseling: Definition, Meaning and Techniques. Dr. Muhammad Ibrar 6/12/2021 1

Introduction to Terms � The pattern of sessions has a predictable rhythm with an introduction, information gathering, discussion and a conclusion. � Active listening happens when you "listen for meaning". The listener says very little but conveys much interest. The listener only speaks to find out if a statement (or two or twenty) has been correctly heard and understood. 6/12/2021 2

…Contd. � Body language takes into account our facial expressions, angle of our body, closeness of ourselves to another, placement of arms and legs, and so much more. Notice how much can be expressed by raising and lowering your eyebrows! � You need to monitor the tone of your voice in the same way that you monitor your body language. Remember, the person may not remember what was said, but they will remember how you made them feel! 6/12/2021 3

…Contd. � An open question is one that is used in order to gathering lots of information – you ask it with the intent of getting a long answer. � A closed question is one used to gather specific information - it can normally be answered with either a single word or a short phrase. � Paraphrasing is when you restate what the speaker said. Often different words are used and the listener may be using this to draw attention to a particular concern or aspect. Sometimes paraphrasing is used to clarify. 6/12/2021 4

…Contd. � Summarizing is focusing on the main points of a presentation or conversation in order to highlight them. At the same time you are giving the “gist”(general idea), you are checking to see if you are accurate. � Note taking is the practice of writing down pieces of information, often in an shorthand messy (untidy) manner. The listener needs to be careful and not disturb the flow of thought, speech or body language of the speaker. 6/12/2021 5

What is Counseling is a process that focuses on enhancing the psychological well-being of the client, such that the client is then able to reach their full potential. This is achieved by the counselor facilitating your personal growth, development, and self-understanding, which in turn empowers you to adopt more constructive life practices. 6/12/2021 6

Introduction Counseling some one with personal problems is very common. Although training and experience in counseling is beneficial, everyone has the potential of helping another by listening and talking through his/her difficulties. Counseling with a successful outcome can be done by a friend, relative and neighbor as well as by social workers, psychologists and guidance counselor. 6/12/2021 7

…Contd This is not to say that everyone will be successful at counseling. Professional people, because of their training and experience, have a higher probability of being successful. 6/12/2021 8

…Contd Counseling may be helpful in a number of ways. It can enable you to develop a clearer understanding of your concerns and help you acquire new skills to better manage personal and educational issues. The counselor can offer a different perspective and help you think of creative solutions to problems. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone not personally involved in your life can be most helpful. 6/12/2021 9

Definitions of Counseling It is difficult to think of a single definition of counseling. This is because definitions of counseling depend on theoretical orientation. Counseling is a learning-oriented process, which occurs usually in an interactive relationship, with the aim of helping a person learn more about the self, and to use such understanding to enable the person to become an effective member of society. 6/12/2021 10

…Contd. “Counseling is a process that enables a person to sort out issues and reach decisions affecting their life. Often counseling is sought out at times of change or crisis, it need not be so, however, as counseling can also help us at any time of our life. ” The British Association for Counseling (BAC), now the BACP (British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy), may have been the first professional association to adopt a definition of professional counseling. In 1986 it published the following definition: 6/12/2021 11

…Contd. “Counseling is the skilled and principled use of relationship to facilitate self- knowledge, emotional acceptance and growth and the optimal (best) development of personal resources. The overall aim is to provide an opportunity to work towards living more enjoyably and resourcefully. Counseling relationships will vary according to need but may be concerned with developmental issues, 6/12/2021 12

…Contd. addressing and resolving specific problems, making decisions, coping with crisis, developing personal insights and knowledge, working through feelings of inner conflict or improving relationships with others. The counselor's role is to facilitate the clients work in ways that respect the client’s values, personal resources and capacity for selfdetermination. ” 6/12/2021 13

…Contd “Counseling involves talking with a person in a way that helps that person solve a problem or helps to create conditions that will cause the person to understand and/or improve his behavior, character, values or life circumstances. ” 6/12/2021 14

…Contd Counseling is often performed face-to-face in confidential sessions between the counselor and client(s). However, counseling can also be undertaken by telephone, in writing and, in these days of the Internet, by email or video conferencing. Counseling can and may take many different formats to bring a person to a better understanding of them self and others. It can therefore be seen that counseling can be of benefit to a person experiencing problems in finding, forming, and maintaining relationships. 6/12/2021 15

…Contd Relationship counseling is not about giving advice. It is about helping and supporting a person to find an understanding and answers that work for that person. Counseling is a friendly, supportive and positive approach to personal development. Many people seeking counseling, have problems or past experiences in their life, which they find difficult to overcome. These experiences and problems prevent the person moving forward in their life. Counseling helps the person face the effects of past experiences and seek ways to overcome them. 6/12/2021 16

…Contd Counseling may take time to work, depending upon the nature and number of problems being presented by the client. Sometimes, a single or a few sessions are all that is needed. At other times, longer periods, possibly months or up to a couple of years may be needed. The counselor is there throughout to assist the client in their development. 6/12/2021 17

…Contd So if you are facing a crisis in your life, or a period of change, then may be counseling could help you. If you feel things may be going wrong in your life and you want to understand why and do something about it, then may be counseling could help. 6/12/2021 18

…Contd. Counseling indicate a professional relationship between a trained counselor and a client. This relationship is usually person-to-person, although it may sometimes involve more than two people. It is designed to help clients to understand clarify their views of their life pace, and to learn to reach their selfdetermined goals through meaningful, wellinformed choices and through resolution of problems of an emotional or interpersonal nature. 6/12/2021 19

…Contd. “The dictionary describes counseling as provision of advice or guidance in decisionmaking, in particularly in emotionally significant situations. Counselors help their clients by counseling them. Counselors also help clients explore and understand their worlds and so discover better ways of thinking and living. ” 6/12/2021 20

The counseling process will depend on the individual counselor, the individual client and the specific issue. However, there is a general counseling process that the counselors will follow: � Background information collection � Identification of core issues � Case formulation � Goal setting for therapeutic process 6/12/2021 21

…Contd. � Implementation of intervention � Evaluation of intervention � Closure By the end of the initial interview you and your counselor may decide on one of the following options: no further counseling is required at this time, if during the initial interview you have been able to clarify your concerns and plan an appropriate course of action. 6/12/2021 22

…Contd. further appointments are needed to continue to explore the issues before reaching a decision. A second appointment will be made with you either by the counselor or by reception. � alternative services are appropriate and the counselor will assist you to identify specific resources to consider and pursue. � 6/12/2021 23

Types of counseling � There are three main types of counseling or support. These are: � Individual work with one counselor and either one client, a couple or some members of a family. � Group work where a counselor leads or facilitates the group. � Self-help groups where there is no leader. Members attend on an equal basis for mutual support. 6/12/2021 24