Counseling Skills: Cognitive And Solution-BD Analysis

During this semester, I focused on furthering my understanding of the basic skills and integrating them properly in therapy sessions and hoped to work on more advanced skills. I did well at focusing on improving my basic skills and not worry about choosing a model; I tried new skills/interventions. Moreover, trying new interventions was nerve-wrecking; however, it was also very exciting. Hence, some of the interventions that I used were implemented well and others need improvement. I tried to implement scaling and boundary making interventions; I demonstrated scaling in two different therapy sessions and demonstrated one of the scaling in my video presentation. Although I tried new interventions I also wanted to improve my empathy skill, but I failed to demonstrate a video where I used empathy; however, I did use this skill during several of my sessions.

The purpose of this essay is describing the counselling practices that I did in my class room. I n this reflective essay, I will describe the style of counselling that I used so far , the actions I had taken, the area of skills where I need further improvement, my perception about the feedbacks from other students and faculty supervisor . By discussing this particular experience in detail, I can start to aware of the specific skills and technique which counsellor may use in different situation of the client in order to boost the client to take positive action by her or himself .

Video assignment two was still awkward to do because we always second guess if we are doing what a true therapist would, however, it felt so much easier and comfortable because we understood how to handle a lot more (especially with all the information about motivational interviewing we learned). Jessica and I both noticed that we were able to frame set much more easily- in the first assignment we spent hours figuring out a template of what we would say and actually brainstormed a frame setting script we memorized. In general, the first assignment was so overthought until we realized that you don’t have to present it in such robotic, rigid ways and translated this to video assignment two. I greatly enjoyed using motivational interviewing techniques and as I “counseled” Jessica I found myself really understanding that it is a pretty effective technique.

However, in this short matter of time, I believe I am able to acknowledge some my strengths and weaknesses as a new counselor. At this point, I feel my strengths involve a sense of humor, empathy, genuineness, creativity, reflecting, restating and most importantly, a heart to serve others. Not only is making someone smile the highlight of my day, but being present with an open heart, mind and ear is what drives me to be a helper. As there are good qualities about myself, there are also weaknesses as well. For instance, I need to improve on my listening skills. I think I am still having difficulty listening to what is being said, how it is being said and why it is being said along with catching non-verbal gestures. As I am still get nervous during session, I think I get too caught in the “content” of the conversation versus catching the emotion/feelings behind what is being said. Another weakness that I have, is not recognizing the moment when I should ask the client to explore more about a comment they had said. Bearing in mind that I am still growing in the counseling field, my goal is to build on my strengths and sharpen my

When observing the use of intervention skills in counseling and consultation; classroom guidance skills, conduction of a needs assessment, and the ability to coordinate initiatives for staff would be additional focus during supervision. Similarly, conceptualization skills would include the supervisee's understanding of the relationship among various activities conducted by school counselors, planning a school wide function, deciding which components would be most helpful for a career day, developing a plan for evaluation of services, and choosing a developmentally appropriate classroom intervention. Finally, supervisee personalization skills would include how novice school counselors conduct themselves in a variety of contexts that is not

The following paper reflects the practice session taping number five that I did for this class. In this reflection, I will evaluate my strengths and weaknesses from the taping in order that I can improve on my counseling skills for the next taping. I will also evaluate the skills and techniques that I have learned so far in the course. This reflection will be a guide for my process and to the skills and techniques that I need to work on for the near future. At the end, I will discuss the many ways that I can improve myself in the practice session taping so that I can strengthen my skills as an effective counselor overall. Now that we know where this paper is headed, lets first look at the strengths that I observed for looking over my tapping.

The purpose of this paper is to assess my skills as a counselor, while reflecting on an interview, which was recorded earlier this month. This 25 minute interview was my third meeting with the client. In my first meeting with the client, I introduced myself and clearly defined our roles; the expectations of the counseling process and asked her for permission to videotape the interview.

The counseling skill I choose for my role play was affirming. Affirming was something I was vaguely familiar with. In all honesty, I choose affirming out of panic that all the topics on the syllabus would soon be picked. After some research, I learned affirming was part of motivational interviewing, and was a part of OARS. I thought this was going to be very easy. I was wrong.

In the past seven weeks we observed various clients, assessments, and interventions. Mostly we’ve seen interventions, however we have watched one in depth assessment. Therefore, during this midterm paper, I want to share what knowledge I’ve gained in assessment, intervention, and in overall counseling. Furthermore, I want to integrate information from other classes and supplementary forms from ICON.

This week has analyzed the counseling intervention devoted to specific task that have been incorporated during a few of my indispensable, practicum experiences. Drummond described, “assessment as the means through which the work of field education becomes not just a set of tasks, but a means of growth for an adult learner who is capable of implementing an ambitious learning plan under supervision.” The consistencies from visiting sick church members in hospitals and in nursing homes, to reviving activities curriculum, teaching, and empowering people during crisis, have been remarkable. Everyone that is encountered for my service allowed me to apply techniques learned for proper counseling or teaching sessions. Now, my ability to pinpoint everyone in the direction of care is much more achievable.

The strategies that I will use to improve my knowledge of the counseling profession are to continue to do further research and keep up with current events. The ability to do further research would allow me to understand my career choice. Keeping up to date with current events will help me know what's happening in this field and around the world.

For it being the first taping using a certain theory, I feel like there were a few things that were done well while in this role play. The first strength that I found in the video was my demeanor and non-verbal behavior with the client. I felt that I was welcoming to client and making sure that it was a safe environment and that it was ok to be open about anything. As important as it is to know the theories and techniques, I believe that this is more important in a counseling

This week had been full of stress, nervousness, frustration and annoyance. Missing two class nights, and then finding out last minute that they we were getting a new professor for Counseling 208 was frustrating. On top of that, learning that we were meeting clients in two weeks and then finding out that my fellow classmates had not had the same Counseling 200 experiences as me made it even more stressful. After the first class meeting, I felt really unprepared to meet clients, therefore, I went through my Counseling 200 notes to review and strengthen my counseling skills.

By acting as a counsellor in a counselling session, I learnt that I am competent when using certain skills such as; displaying non- verbal behaviour, challenging client’s maladaptive beliefs, mindsets and behaviours and that I can recover when I mistakenly interpret a client’s emotions. However, I learnt that I need to; improve my listening skills, not ask distracting questions, improve inaccurate perceptions of client emotion, my assertions of those perceptions, not asking too many questions, not asking to many questions, and empathy communication.

An insight into counseling I had last week was about the three dimensions of responding skills. Personally I define responding skills as being able to understand clients in a constructive manner and sharing ideas. I have also learnt that responding skills is not just a one way conversation, it is defined as a two way dimensions where, we are able to apply understanding and knowledge to our clients but also in return get a feedback about the process.