Self-Disclosure Is Hard For Me

After I left the counselling session, I felt relieved as though I had a load off my chest. I realised the counsellor let me express what I wanted to but used history as a guise. I spoke freely about all aspects of my life and the counsellor didn’t need to say too much. She quietly, but professionally took notes when a point of interest arose but didn’t let the note-taking affect the flow of talk. I noted that expressions on people’s faces can greatly determine the nature of the conversation. If someone looks easy to talk to, then they probably are as their body language can emphasise and express feelings (Egan, 2007, p .84). I noticed the importance of simple and respectful questioning and how it promotes more talking. If the question requires the client to think and reflect on the situation at hand then I believe it is a worthy question to ask (Egan, 2007, p. 95). Open questions that my counsellor asked such as “how do you think you will react when your wife comes back to Australia?” challenged the way I was thinking at the time and promoted reflection (Egan,

Counselors should never talk to others about things that are discussed during a session. That way the client feels free to talk about anything. For a clients to receive help they may have to give private and personal information about themselves that they might not feel comfortable sharing with anyone else. Counselors can do many things that friends and family cannot. For example, a friend or family member may share that private information with others or they might give advice that is not in the client’s best interest. Counselors are specially trained and experienced in helping people solve problems, change how they act or think, and learn new ways of doing things. It is also essential for Counselors to be experienced with working with many people that have similar

The second statement of the counselor that was a good characteristic was when he stated “Great. That is a good start. Let’s talk some more about where that frustration comes from.” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2012). The counselor used an open-ended question to allow the client to give an answer with a more elaborate answer than just yes or no. Also the counselor was supportive of the client’s choice to focus on himself at this point in his counseling. According to Cooper (2010) “open questions will allow for a more meaningful response and give more control to the client.” If a client is guarded in their responses open-ended questions will allow them to disclose what they feel comfortable disclosing without them feeling so pressured to give information.

Not feeling judged or criticised by the counsellor or that the counsellor is likely to not accept you if you share something ‘bad’

I feel that I asked a good amount of questions, both opened and closed. I even implemented a few swing questions in order to get more information and example of an issue. There was also good use of silence and paraphrasing. I used these to transition to new topics or take a issue in a new direction. I felt that a rapport and trusting relationship with the client. The session quickly transitioned to the presenting problem and I felt that it was good pacing and that the client felt comofortable.

I beleive that if I cannot be open and honest with myself then how can I expect the client to be open and honest with me. Through experience I Understand how daunting it is to express your thoughts and feelings, not knowing how you will be judged or how others may react towards you. Personally by offering my clients a safe place to be listened to, showing them unconditional positive regard by showing them understanding and respect and helping them to gain back their locus of evaluation has had a positive effect on me also. I feel reassured that I am a good person that i am useful and happy in the knowledge that i have given my clients a positive experience that I have helped them through a difficult and sometimes dark confusing time I am being who I truely am as this is what I have wanted to do for some time now.

“Because persons with paranoid personality disorder are hyperalert, they notice any slight and may take offense where none is intended. As a result, they tend to be defensive and antagonistic. When they are at fault, they cannot accept blame, not even mild criticism. Yet they are highly critical of others. Other people may say that these individuals make ‘mountains out of molehills’” (NIMH).

During the first visit I would sit down with the client and begin to explain the counseling process. I would inform the client about the risks and benefits of counseling. I would explain what types of counseling I could offer, and my policy on phone calls, texts, and emails. Next, I would explain the financial agreement, and my no show policy. After that, I would go over the length of the sessions and explain what they are protected in from confidentiality. I would then ask the client if he/she had any questions, and do my best to answer any questions. Finally, I would hand the client my informed consent for, explain it, and then have the client sign the consent form.

The following are five key mistakes I might make in assessing a client. The first contact a counselor makes with a client can make or break the client’s assessment of me. One of the mistakes I feel may happen is in the first contact with a new client. I know that things can get hectic in the office and I always feel pressure when I don’t keep to my schedule which can make me rush. The client would know right away that I am more interested in getting work done instead of focusing my attention on them. It’s important to meet in a comfortable area that is calm and relaxing so the client feels they are not being rushed or shows that he is not just another file. This type of scenario can happen making the client feel like he may not trust you, or be able to open up to you. The client you meet for the first time, may not want to see you again or tell others of the horrible experience he had with his first visit. This could also trigger something related to their COD and may make them drink heavily.

The art of using questions to help others seemed quite easy to me. Yet, incorporating questions in a counseling session proved to be more difficult than anticipated. Reflecting back on my readings from Chang, Decker, and Scott (2013), questions are used to obtain further knowledge of the client’s emotional and mental status. Questions are an integral part of a counseling session as these will guide and help counselors to get to the bottom of the client’s problems. There are different types of questions used in therapy meetings. We have specifically focused on asking closed-ended and open-ended questions. As stated by Chang, Decker, and Scott, (2013) closed-ended questions are usually those requesting brief one word answers to clarify

I belive my strengths during the initial meeting were knowing a little bit about the requirements needed to become a teacher. Also, I know a lot about the military because I have utilizing the O’Net website. During this first meeting, I was very nervous and I expected to just have every word ready to comfortable the client. My fear was trying to not make the client overwhelmed with a to do list. I know there are steps a client needs to take to accomplish their goal. Being a counselor for the first time is very difficult. Because you want to cover all the required information need doing the initial meeting. I know this meeting are time limited and I only have four more sessions with the client to help the client with their issue.

I believe I am good with allowing the client to be comfortable when in session. I don’t pressure the client to talk if they really do not want to talk. I allow my clients to talk when they are ready. I believe that I could improve with suicide risk assessment by asking more specific questions. Because the questionnaire I currently utilize might not reach every client. I think I could do more getting to know topics during group. Because many new clients feel anxious when they begin group. I believe I more of a Solution Focus and Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. I use solution focus a lot because the client has the tools to solve their own issues they just need a little help with solutions. I ‘m able to use scaling questions and miracle questions

I think Self Disclosure is a slippery slope because if we let to much about ourselves we can experience a role reversal and if we do not disclose enough we may loose the client. I do think that drawing this line is difficult because as counselors we know the importance of connecting with the client and a shared personal experience is like creating an instant connection with another person. Our experiences give us the ability to empathize more deeply then just trying to put ourselves in someone else situation. I think I would have the most problem with self disclosure because I tend to be very open about my life, and things I have gone through I do not shy from sharing a personal experience. I like to help and

Participant recruitment and data collection from a southwestern university institutional review board (IRB). Participants were asked to choose a is seen as more than an acquaintance of the interracial or cross-cultural friend.Then they will need in 20 to 25 minutes to complete a questionnaire so that the author can gather about how they define and cross-cultural friendship between RACES of data.

In Social Work practice there are different criteria about social workers self-disclose to clients. Some of them consider that it is positive, and this kind of disclosure does not affect the social work or clinical practice. The other side, there are others point of views that consider self-disclosure to clients a Code of Ethic transgression or violation.