Steps in counselling process PDF

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Steps in Counselling Procedure Williamson and Darley (1937) have delineated six steps of counselling. (a) Analysis: It is that process in which facts are gathered for the purpose of studying the individual. (b) Synthesis: In this process the gathered information is organized. (c) Diagnosis: The causes of problem are diagnosed. (d) Prognosis: This is a pre-statement or opinion on the use of diagnosis. (e) Counselling: This is the stage at which steps are taken by the counsellor and the counselee for adjustment. (f) Follow-up: This is the stage at which effectiveness of the counsellor’s services is evaluated and attempt is made to assist the counselee in solving his problems.

THE COUNSELLING PROCESS Counselling can be conceptualized as a series of stages or steps that lead one through the counselling process . Cormier and Hackney (1987) described a five-stage process: relationship building, assessment, goal setting, interventions, and termination and follow-up. Each of the stages is discussed in detail.

Stage One: Relationship Building The successful outcomes in counselling is associated with the counsellor client relationship which is the outcome of all therapeutic efforts. There are two necessary conditions. They are:

1. Counsellor-offered conditions: The core conditions for successful counselling are • empathic understanding(Empathic understanding as a process that involves communicating a sense of caring and understanding) • unconditional positive regard (counsellor communicating to clients that they are of value and worth as individuals) • congruence(Behaving in a manner consistent with how one thinks and feels) • respect(focuses on the positive attributes of the client) • immediacy(direct, mutual communication ) • confrontation(Pointing out discrepancies in what the client is saying and doing) • concreteness (Helping clients discuss themselves in specific terms) • self-disclosure(Making the self-known to others) These eight core conditions are necessary and sufficient for constructive personality change to occur.

2. . Counsellor-and client offered conditions

The working alliance is another concept that can be used to describe the counselling relationship. It goes beyond focusing on counsellor-offered conditions and includes counsellor- and client-offered conditions. The working alliance is composed of three parts. They are: agreement between the counsellor and client in terms of the goals of counselling agreement between the counsellor and client in terms of the tasks of counselling emotional bond between thecounsellor and client. The strength of the working alliance depends on the degree of agreement relating to goals and tasks of counselling and the level of emotional attachment between the counsellor and client.

Stage 1: Relationship Building: Tasks here include: ฀ Laying foundations for trust ฀ Establishing the structure and form the relationship will take ฀ Informed consent process ฀ Articulating roles of counselor and client – developing a collaborative working alliance. Consider how do we develop rapport, create relationship with our clients? What is it that we bring to the relationship that helps us create a foundation of trust and willingness to work collaboratively toward goals?

Stage Two: Assessment and Diagnosis Assessment and diagnosis help a counsellor develop an in-depth understanding of a client and identify mental disorders that require attention. This understanding can facilitate goal setting and also suggest types of intervention strategies. Assessment procedures can be divided into two categories standardized measures – include psychological tests that have standardized norm groups non standardized measures–include strategies such as the clinical interview and assessment of life history. Stage 2: Identifying the nature of the presenting problem: To understand the kind of change that is sought. Seeing the problem in context to the client’s larger world. Keeping an eye on the strengths and resources of the client. Counselor builds hypotheses during this stage and throughout the remaining process.

Stage Three: Formulation of Counselling Goals Three functions that goals serves in the counselling process: Motivational function: The clients are involved in establishing the counselling goals. They may be more motivated when they have specific, concrete goals to work toward. It is also important for counsellors to encourage clients to make a verbal commitment to work on a specific counselling goal. Educational function: Clients can learn new skills and behaviours that they can use to enhance their functioning. For example, a counselling goal might be to become more assertive. During assertiveness training clients can learn skills to enhance their functioning in interpersonal situations. Evaluative function: Clear goals allow the counsellor and client an opportunity to evaluate progress.

Counselling goals may also be conceptualised as either process or outcome. Process Goals: These establish the conditions necessary to make the counselling process work. These goals relate to the issues of formulating positive relationship by promoting the core conditions. Process goals are primarily the counsellor's responsibility. Outcome goals: These specify what the client hopes to accomplish in counselling. The counsellor and client should agree on these goals and modify them as necessary. Five types of outcome goals include: Facilitating behaviour change Enhancing coping skills Promoting decision-making

Improving relationships Facilitating the client's potential.

Stage 3: Formulation of Counseling Goals: The client articulates where they want their counseling journey to take them. Client role as one of driving the bus

Enhances sense of ownership and motivation – factors important in the change process. Well identified goals help create a roadmap and means to evaluate. Goals may change, evolve as therapy progresses.

Stage Four: Intervention and Problem Solving The counsellor and client may choose strategies to implement from a variety of interventions, including individual, group, couples, and family problems of an intrapersonal nature. Couples or family counselling may be more appropriate for clients with difficulties of an interpersonal nature, as in a marital or parent-child conflict. The counsellor should provide an overview of the different treatment approaches available; describe the role of the counsellor and client for each procedure; identify possible risks and benefits that may result; and estimate the time and cost of each procedure. In addition, it is important for the counsellor to be sensitive to client characteristics such as values and beliefs when selecting an intervention strategy. Counsellors should also be aware of a client's personal strengths and weaknesses in selecting a counselling approach. A six-stage model for problem solving strategies include: • problem detection • problem definition • identification of alternative solutions • decision -making • execution • verification Stage 4: Categories: counseling goals: 1) To change an unwanted or unwelcome behaviour. 2) To better cope. 3) To make and implement decisions. 4) To enhance relationships. 5) To help client’s journey of growth toward achieving potential (Nystul, 2003)

Stage 5: Intervention and Problem Solving: Begins as soon as goals are established – this is plan for how to achieve them. Action is directed in accordance with new perspective. Collaboratively established plan works best. Educational information is given to that client is offered regarding options, and advantages/disadvantages for each. Intervention ฀ New perspectives on both the way clients have looked at the problem and ways they might approach it: ฀ Confrontation vs Carefrontation ฀ Self Disclosure as appropriate ฀ A clear, simple plan toward goals. Characteristics of a good treatment plan ฀ goals are clearly defined and reachable

฀ plan able to be adapted with time ฀ positive and action-oriented focus ฀ Essential to an effective plan is client’s motivation and willingness to follow it. Prochaska’s stages of Change ฀ Pre Contemplation ฀ Contemplation ฀ Preparation/Determination Action ฀ Maintenance ฀ Relapse Crafting a Treatment Plan ฀ Begins with clearly articulated problem and priority from client’s perspective of primary (presenting) vs underlying clearly defined, broad goals – global objectives. ฀ Objectives – behaviourally stated, steps on way to broader goal – mindful of accountability. ฀ Interventions to be utilised by counselor

Stage Five: Termination and Follow-Up Termination can be done when clients have worked through their concerns and are able to proceed forward in their lives without the counsellor's assistance. At this point, counselling can be terminated. It is usually best for the counsellor and client to agree on a termination date, reducing the chance of premature termination or feelings of ambivalence. Termination should be planned several weeks in an advance to provide an opportunity for the client to prepare psychologically. The counsellor should also arrange for appropriate follow-up with the client. An appointment for a formal follow-up counselling session can be made 2 to 4 weeks after the final session. This can allow the counsellor and client adequate time to evaluate how things are going without counselling. Clients should be reassured that they will be able to obtain additional counselling services if the need arises. They should also be informed as to how they can request these services in the future.

Stage 6: Termination and follow up: Collaboration with client in identifying a date in advance for next follow up session and the role to review progress, create closure in client counsellor relationship and plan for future. Think of this as a means of empowering client. Counselor always is mindful of avoiding fostering dependency for the client only till client is aware of own needs. Preparation for termination begins long before. Open door / plan for possibility of future need are required to be given by the counselor to the

client. Termination considered not just at end of successful relationship, but also is considered when it seems that counseling is not being helpful.

Stage 7: Research and Evaluation: ฀ Throughout the counseling process, towards the end, there is a feedback and the counseling process is reviewed through: ฀ Generating hypotheses ฀ Trying intervention strategies ฀ Determining if/when goal is met and a plan for evaluation is made.

Counseling content and process counseling process requires you to take five steps:

1. Start the session. 2. Create suitable conditions for the session. 3. Explore and understand the real (how the situation is now). 4. Move toward the ideal (where the counselee would like to be). 5. Monitor and follow up. Start the Session. —To start the advising and counseling process, let the counselee know that you want to talk to him or her. In some cases, the counselee might come to you, in which case, he or she would be starting the

session. Next choose a suitable place to meet; choose a place where you will have the least amount of interruptions. Then agree on a time to meet; allow enough time to conduct a proper and effective session.

Create Suitable Conditions for the Session. — To create suitable conditions for a session, prepare ahead of time. Try to ensure you won’t have to stop during the session to do something else. Make sure the meeting place will be physically comfortable; the office should have a quiet atmosphere and a comfortable place to sit. Help the counselee feel at ease; for example, you could serve coffee. Guarantee confidentiality within your legal bounds, and be attentive Explore and Understand the Real. —Start your session off by stating the reason for the counseling session. Let the counselee know of your concern about the situation. Try to elicit information that might help you and the counselee understand the real (how the situation is now). Discuss the situation as fully as possible so that you both understand it.

Move Toward the Ideal. —Have the counselee state his or her ideal goal (how the counselee would like the situation to be) in solving the problem. State your realistic expectations about the counselee by expressing doubts and concerns; then identify any blocks that might prevent the counselee from solving the problem. Suggest sources of outside help. When you can, provide additional and professional help. Identify optional actions; for example, set an appointment at a helping outside resource or call the chaplain for an appointment. If you handle the situation correctly, the counselee will feel good about the session and feel resolving the situation is possible. Encourage the counselee to commit to the optional actions by keeping his or her appointments. Stress that the counselee must follow through on the actions he or she agrees to. State your positive expect ations by stating the counselee’s abilities; that will build the counselee’s strengths and help him or her succeed in reaching the goal.

Monitor and Follow Up. —Agree on who is responsible for monitoring any changes that will occur throughout the counseling process. Your counselee has committed himself or herself to improve or make a change. Agree on what action you will take if the counselee carries out the commitment as planned....