THE PERSON OF THE COUNSELLOR Zea Eagle www

THE PERSON OF THE COUNSELLOR Zea Eagle www. letstalklife. com. au Email: zea@letstalklife. com. au

Some assumptions • We value being well-trained and skilled, continuously improve our theoretical knowledge, and that we see ourselves a life-long learners. • We strive to conduct ourselves in a professional and ethical manner at all times. • A committment to excellence in person and practice. • A good knowledge, understanding, and adherence to the ethical guidelines of PACFA, ACA, CCAA, QCA, (or whichever association you belong to). • We are Christian counsellors who have a Christian world view, and a Christian view of what it means to be human.

Outline Our purpose as Christian counsellors • Our basis for confidence • A cautiously carefree pursuit of excellence • Attending to the person of the counsellor •

Skills and knowledge account for 15% of therapeutic process The other 85% comprises the person of the counsellor

Research Findings “It is not theories and techniques that heal the suffering client, but the human dimension of therapy and the ‘meetings’ that occur between therapist and client as they work together” (Elkins, 2009). “For therapy to be therapeutic, it is more important for the clinician to understand people than to master specific treatment techniques”(Williams, 1999).

Research Findings (cont. ) “…the human component is the foundation of our efforts to help others. The improvement of psychotherapy may be best accomplished by learning to improve one’s ability to relate to clients and tailoring that relationship to individual clients “ (Lambert & Barley, 2001).

“The kind of person a therapist is remains the most critical factor affecting the client and promoting change. If practitioners possess wide knowledge, both theoretical and practical, yet lack human qualities of compassion, caring, good faith, honesty, presence, realness, and sensitivity, they are more like technicians. ” � (Corey, 2013, p 7)

‘one of the most important instruments you have to work with as a counsellor is yourself as a person… abundant research indicates the centrality of the person of the counsellor as a primary factor in successful therapy’ (Corey, 2013, p 18)

Personal Characteristics of a Counsellor as a Professional Effective therapists… • Have an identity – know who they are • Respect and appreciate themselves • Are open to change • Make choices that are life-oriented • Are authentic, sincere, and honest • Have a sense of humour • Make mistakes and are willing to admit them • Generally live in the present • Appreciate the influence of culture

Counsellor characteristics (cont) • • • Have a sincere interest in the wellbeing of others Possess effective personal skills Become deeply involved in their work and derive meaning from it Are passionate Are able to maintain healthy boundaries (Corey, 2013, pp 19 -20)

Counsellor characteristics (cont) � � � Genuine interest in others Empathic abilities Personal warmth Self-awareness Tolerance of ambiguity Awareness of values (Tan, 2011, p 15)

Unique characteristics of Christian Counsellors o o o Christ-centered Biblically based Spirit filled (Tan, 2011, p 15) o o Appropriation of faith Integration of psychological & spiritual experience (Tan, 2001)

A poet writes… "I am a hole in a flute that the Christ's breath moves through. " --Hafiz

OUR PURPOSE AS CHRISTIAN COUNSELLORS 1. Viewing ourselves as instruments, in what area/s could we be more open to growth? 2. What one thing professionally could you do to be more responsive to God?

OUR BASIS FOR CONFIDENCE • Knowing where & how we fit • The work is not the call - work as an opportunity to express the call • We are not alone

A CAUTIOUSLY CAREFREE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE • Be alert, listen carefully, diligently put into practice what He has revealed • Respond quickly to His challenges • Treat ourselves as we would want to be treated • Put mistakes right quickly • Forgive (ourselves and others) as we are forgiven • Live in and offer to others His undeserved grace

Attending to the Person of the Counsellor Being a good steward means maintenance of the exquisite instrument you are

Burnout among Mental Health Providers • 21 -67% High levels of burnout • 54% High emotional exhaustion • 38% High depersonalization rates (Morse et al. , 2012)

Compassion Fatigue & Burnout Compassion Fatigue • Builds subtly over time. • Happens quickly and is often easier to recover from. • Feeling overextended, emotionally exhausted, and reduced efficacy. • Feeling swamped by others’ trauma and emotional stress, and other similar symptoms to burnout. • Depersonalization (cynicism), depleted, fatigued, apathy, loss of empathy, stuck in a rut, negative, loss of passion. “I’m tired of other people’s drama. ” “I’m not meant for this work. ” Burnout

Burnout untreated Increased risk for… Depression Anxiety Sleep problems Impaired memory Neck & back pain Alcohol consumption Relationship problems

Major contributor to Burnout Lack of clarity around purpose

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or illfitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. ” Matt 28: 11 (The Message) A first step

Supervision as Self-care Being willing to consult is a sign of professionalism Regular consultation with colleagues & supervisors is an ethical obligation Be 100% instead of giving 100%

In Summary • Our purpose as Christian counsellors • Our basis for confidence • A cautiously carefree pursuit of excellence • Attending to the person of the counsellor

Refreshmen. T

References Alexander, I. (no date). Integration in the practice of Christian counsellors – behaviour, beliefs and being. Retrieved from http: //www. ccaa. net. au/documents/CCAACounselling. Integration. pdf Andreula, T. J. (no date). Burnout in Mental Health Professionals. Retrieved from http: //pro. psychcentral. com/burnout-in-mental-health-professionals/00771. html th Corey, G. (2013). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9 ed. ). Belmont, CA, USA: Brooks/Cole Cengage. Corey, G (2010). The Person of the Counsellor, keynote address to the American Counselling Association, Pittsburgh Conference, Sunday 21 March. Retrieved from http: //www. slideshare. net/louiebeth/counselor-as-person-and-professionals Elkins, D. N. (2009). Humanistic psychology: A clinical manifesto. Colorado Springs, CO: University of the Rockies Press. Lambert, M. J. & Barley, D. E. (2001). Research summary on therapeutic relationship and psychotherapy outcome. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 38(4), 357 -361. Retrieved from http: //dx. doi. org/10. 1037/0033 -3204. 38. 4. 357 Morse, G. , Salyers, M. P. , Rollins, A. L. , Monroe-De. Vita, M. , & Pfahler, C. (2012). Burnout in Mental Health Services: A Review of the Problem and Its Remediation. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 39(5), 341 -352. doi: 10. 1007/s 10488 -011 -0352 -1 Smith, C. (2015). Burnout Self-Test. Retrieved from http: //www. mindtools. com/pages/article/new. TCS_08. htm Wampold, B. E. (2001). The great psychotherapy debate: Models, methods, and findings. (Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum). Tan, S. (2011). Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.