Characteristics and Behaviors of Effective Counseling On the journey to becoming a clinical mental health counselor, students face many challenges. One such challenge is in establishing a relationship/rapport with each client in a manner that is non-judgmental, supportive, and healing directed (Cooper, 2014). The purpose of this paper is to apply the concepts presented in the course textbook (Erford, 2014), as well as those in supplemental readings, to a fictional scenario provided in the course readings (Laureate Education, Inc., n.d.). I will be discussing one counselor’s attempts to establish a relationship with a new client, and his use (and sometimes misuse) of structure, and how he employs specific microskills to the process. In the
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The counselor’s behavior and approach must take in cultural considerations as well as an understanding of the issues the client is facing and the meaning of those issues to the client. “The professional counselor creates a climate for change through the setting and structure of counseling as well as the interpersonal relationship. Counselors create opportunities for reflection and growth by facilitating the client’s awareness of possibilities and alternatives” (Sheperis & Ellis, 2004, p. 178). In our fictional scenario, the counselor, Steve, has taken a number of steps toward that end. He has paid attention to some of the basic elements of structure and sought to foster his own understanding of the issues the client is …show more content…
He uses a variety of microskills that help to create what is referred to as a counseling alliance (Anderson, Ogles, & Weis, 1999). “It seems that you would,” “Tell me more about …” and even “Tell me what anger issues look like for you,” are recommended questions (Sheperis & Ellis, 2014). On two occasions, Steve receives positive feedback for these efforts. Bill says, “Exactly!” in one response to a reflection on what he might be feeling and “Oh, boy was it!” in another (Laureate Education Inc., n.d., p. 1). Use of such skills in this manner is evidence that Steve is engaging with the client. While one does not always receive such immediate feedback, such statements can be very encouraging.
Ineffective Characteristics Just as there are effective behaviors and characteristics that counselors can engage in, there are also ineffective ones. These range from subtle nonverbal communications to failure to properly structure sessions (Sheperis & Ellis, 2014). He has stumbled in a few areas of his first counseling session with Bill, and it is interesting to note that these missteps also have to do with the important elements of structure and use of microskills. As a new counselor, Steve would want to avoid behaviors that simply do not help, but it may take time and experience to help him hone his approach.
Characteristic
The counselor’s behavior and approach must take in cultural considerations as well as an understanding of the issues the client is facing and the meaning of those issues to the client. “The professional counselor creates a climate for change through the setting and structure of counseling as well as the interpersonal relationship. Counselors create opportunities for reflection and growth by facilitating the client’s awareness of possibilities and alternatives” (Sheperis & Ellis, 2004, p. 178). In our fictional scenario, the counselor, Steve, has taken a number of steps toward that end. He has paid attention to some of the basic elements of structure and sought to foster his own understanding of the issues the client is …show more content…
He uses a variety of microskills that help to create what is referred to as a counseling alliance (Anderson, Ogles, & Weis, 1999). “It seems that you would,” “Tell me more about …” and even “Tell me what anger issues look like for you,” are recommended questions (Sheperis & Ellis, 2014). On two occasions, Steve receives positive feedback for these efforts. Bill says, “Exactly!” in one response to a reflection on what he might be feeling and “Oh, boy was it!” in another (Laureate Education Inc., n.d., p. 1). Use of such skills in this manner is evidence that Steve is engaging with the client. While one does not always receive such immediate feedback, such statements can be very encouraging.
Ineffective Characteristics Just as there are effective behaviors and characteristics that counselors can engage in, there are also ineffective ones. These range from subtle nonverbal communications to failure to properly structure sessions (Sheperis & Ellis, 2014). He has stumbled in a few areas of his first counseling session with Bill, and it is interesting to note that these missteps also have to do with the important elements of structure and use of microskills. As a new counselor, Steve would want to avoid behaviors that simply do not help, but it may take time and experience to help him hone his approach.
Characteristic