Critically Evaluate Three Counselling Intervention / Techniques and Use This Evaluation to Reflect on the Application of the Humanistic Theory in Counselling Practice and How They Contribute to the Effectiveness of the Process.

When we look at other professions like social workers, housing officers, the emergency services, the police and priests who utilise counselling skills we realise that some of the key concepts that are fundamental to the counselling profession are not their main priority. If such people were to introduce themselves as counsellors their clients may be under the impression that such things as confidentiality will be upheld. An example is the work of doctors, social workers, nurses and carers, in these types of professions advise is given to the client as to what to do and what not to do, medication is administered to the client whereas in the case of counselling especially with

This is supervised and checked regularly by an accredited member of the BACP to ensure that the requirements of the BACP are being met. A person using counselling skills in other occupations may use similar methods but will not be formally using the guidelines and being assessed in such a way as that of a qualified counsellor. The intention of the use of the skills is also different. The counsellor and client relationship is a therapeutic one and both parties understand the potential or intended result of it, whereas using counselling skills may used for other purposes. For example, a person in a professional setting such as a people-management role may use listening, reflective and paraphrasing in a similar way to a counsellor yet the objective is different. The use of the counselling skills facilitates the relationship of the manager and the employee but there isn’t the intention behind it that there is between a counsellor and their client.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) define counselling, along with psychotherapy, as being “umbrella terms that cover a range of talking therapies” (BACP, 2012: 1). In addition, counselling is provided by practitioners who “work with people over a short or long term to help them bring about effective change or enhance their wellbeing” (BACP, 2012: 1). Those who practice counselling in a professional manner undergo intensive training and personal development, the latter of which has been “defined in terms of self-awareness and change” (Wheeler, 1996: 75). These changes, according to Johns, “influence the

In order for counselling to be effective and purposeful it must be conducted in an ethical way. The very act of seeking counselling predisposes that the seeker is vulnerable/troubled and needs assurance that the main focus of counselling will be their well-being and promote for them a greater sense of autonomy, and not to serve any other purpose. Therefore the foundation of good counselling must be an ethical relationship, hence the need for an ethical framework. As Tim Bond (2010) states:

Counselling and psychotherapy are very different areas of speciality than psychiatry or psychology. Yet it is from these two health practices that counselling and psychotherapy practice emerged. The emergence and beginning of this takes us back initially to 1887, when the specialism of psychotherapy emerged in psychiatry. In the nineteenth century there was a general shift towards science and

In this essay I will describe key elements of Psychodynamic theory, Person-Centred theory and Cognitive-Behavioural theory. I will also identify the key differences between the above theories. I shall also describe how counselling theory underpins the use of counselling skills in practise. I will then end with my conclusion.

I believe counseling is a collaborative partnership between client and counselor. Furthermore, this collaborative partnership is built from trust and acceptance of both client and counselor. I hope in conjunction with clients to understand the issues and concerns so to help them tap into their wisdom, creativity, and strengths to meet their current challenges. I believe in a comprehensive perspective through which clients can better comprehend themselves in the framework that our thinking about events can lead to emotional and behavioral upset. Moreover, counselors are to provide a safe environment for clients to explore their challenges and identify ways to move differently in overcoming these challenges.

A counselling relationship is likened to being on a journey - a beginning, middle and end (Smallwood, 2013). During the beginning phase the client develops sufficient trust in the counsellor and the relationship ‘to explore the previously feared edges of his awareness’ (Mearns and Thorne, 1988, p.126).

Can a humanistic model of counselling be integrated with a cognitive (or cognitive – behavioural) one? Discuss with reference to Rogers and either Beck or Egan.

In the humanistic approach in counselling there is a vital importance that the core conditions between client and counselling are present from

The essay will evaluate the necessity and importance of the development of the core conditions in the counselling process and critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the person-centred approach on the counselling process.

“Compare and contrast the different ways the person-centred and cognitive- behavioural approaches to counselling understand and make use of the counselling relationship”

Yalom (2005) likens the concept of self-disclosure to optimal psychological and social adjustment in a curvilinear fashion. Implied here is the theory that clients will self-disclose when they are in a group that fosters a safe and socially supportive environment. However, self-disclosure does not follow a direct, or linear pattern. A curvilinear representation of this idea illustrates that either too much or too little client self-disclosure can be detrimental in a group counseling setting. Clients disclosing too little sacrifice the opportunity of attaining objective feedback from other group members, and the lack of universality in disclosure might hinder the opportunity of furthering a relationship with a fellow member who reveals a bit more. In turn, those members disclosing too little have less of a chance in being genuinely accepted by other members, ultimately affecting personal self-esteem. To some, self-disclosure reflects the feeling of sacrificing a sense of control, and these members may wait until others have

As mentioned previously, a counsellor taking an eclectic approach will look for, and select the best interventions within particular therapies (O’Brien & Houston, 2003). ££££££ argue that such counsellor will rely rather heavily on their past experience and therefore, from knowing what has helped a client in the past will almost habitually will choose a similar approach for another client with what they perceive to be a similar problem. However, Morrissey (2016) argues that such approach is not an aspect to look negatively upon as, such eclecticism focuses entirely upon the wellbeing of the client, which should outweigh any commitment to an entire theory within counselling.

As counsellors and therapists, we assist clients in coping with issues and implementing positive change in their lives (Nupponen, 1998). According to Carl Jung (1961), all clients are unique. For counselling and psychotherapy to be effective, therapists must select suitable counselling approaches and techniques to cater to the concerns, needs and preferences of each individual client. Each of these theoretical approaches have their own specific assumptions and techniques. However, overlaps between approaches may be present as well. Before therapists decide on the appropriate approach to be used in therapy, they must first garner an in-depth understanding of their clients background and also be well versed in the various counselling theories