Verbal Analysis : Verbal Tracking

How can a Christian counselor effectively counsel clients while holding to their convictions of faith? This question is one that many have to think upon. In reading the textbook for this class, the author takes the secular theories and breaks them apart. As a counselor, Christian or not, it is very important to pull from different theories rather than devote solely to one theory. Each individual coming in to the therapist’s office is wired differently in personality and belief system. As a Christian therapist, it is important to know the individual in the client’s chair. Being open with them about where one stands spiritually is a priority. The goal is to be able to take any theory and “think” Christianly. Every counselor is different, but there are central characteristics that one must focus their practice on while working with clients. The main goal as a Christian therapist is to integrate psychology, professional ethics, Scripture and the very character of Jesus in a way that never compromises the authority of God.

There are many views held among Christian counselors about how to Scripturally approach changing human behavior. For some who seek to base the motivation for change on Biblical grounds, an approach to counseling is geared toward changes that would allow one to conform more

Good verbal communication is an inseparable part of professional communication. In a business, I believe you come across people from various ages, cultures and races. Fluent verbal communication is essential, to deal with people in important meetings or other events/situations. I also think that a self-confidence plays a vital role which when clubbed with fluent communication skills can lead to success and I make sure I don’t forget this when communicating in my job role.

My greatest personal strength is that I am comfortable speaking to large groups. This will enable me to clearly give information and guide the ensemble effectively in any situation.

The skill I am going to discuss is self- monitoring. According to Interplay, The Process of Interpersonal Communication, self monitoring is best defined as, “The process of paying close attention to one’s own behavior and using these observations to shape the way one behaves” (24). This definition means that when you have a conversation with someone you listen closely to what they are saying, but you also pay attention to yourself in order for you to modify your behavior accordingly. By being aware of the way I communicate towards people both, verbally, and non-verbally gives me an effective way to deliver an understanding message.

As a Christian counseling, I realize that I am an adjunct, specializing in a practice that is appropriately attached to and derived from the core practice, as it is legally defined (Clinton and Ohlschlager, p133). I also realize that I am more than a counselor; however, I have become a soul-care artisan, a disciple, a mentor, a spiritual director, and a guide into the deeper way of Christ (p132). Therefore, every Christian counseling session, I have encountered, has started with a prayer, to welcome God into the midst, as the Holy Spirit take the lead and guides what is said by me, as the counselor. As a Christian counselor, it is my hope that my knowledge of Spiritual formation reshapes the inner man, by being formed spiritually from the inside out, transforming from a selfish and carnal existence to a holy and joyful one; by one’s faith, as well as, the client’s faith, in God (Clinton and Ohlschlager, p130)

First, people, including mental health professionals, possess a range of qualities. No one is just warm and accepting or just confrontational. We all possess these qualities to a certain degree. Therefore, to be genuine with our clients it is necessary for us to display these different parts of our personalities at different times. Second, although a client may come to counseling broken and hopeless and require a supportive, accepting, and warm counselor, if this relationship continues the client may never be pushed to make any real change. After the development of a strong working alliance between the therapist and counselor, it may (or may not) be necessary for the counselor to challenge or confront the client in some way to provoke change. It depends on the person. I agree with Lazarus completely when he says that a skilled mental health professional will know when to be warm or tough, when to confront a client or not, and when directive or non-directive (p. 458-459). Clients, because they each have their own unique identity that has been influenced by more factors than one can count or even identify, will respond differently to different relational styles, techniques, and treatments and this may change throughout the counseling process. In my opinion, it is the counselor’s job to know which approach or technique should be used to be the most effective with a particular client.

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

This skill stemmed from living with my disabled uncle and my 90 year old grandma.Over the years I began assisting people I did not know and we would begin to talk. Most of the conversations were light, but occasionally, there would be times where we would talk for more than 10 minutes. I loved it. I loved talking to different people and getting their different viewpoints. I loved when people would open up to me about their issues and we would talk things out and compromise on a solution. I loved the friendly and non-judgemental environment that I created with people where anything could be shared.

As you reflect on your development as a counselor, what changes have you had in your own perspectives on the relationship between Christianity, counseling, and psychology?

As Crabb (1977) describes, Christian counselors must figure out what kind of personal worth does a client sets in themselves, how significant do that client consider themselves in the grand scheme of God’s creation, and how secure is the client in their own skin (p. 61). Every client may have a different way of defining their own personal worth, and this is something that a Christian counselor must be able to recognize. Effective Christian counselors will be able to figure out where their client feels the safest and where the client feels like they have the most significance within God’s Kingdom. Without being able to do this, it will be very difficult for a Christian counselor to effectively reach their client and initiate change within that person’s life or actions.

In order to go forth with any counseling session; one needs to study the Bible passage carefully to discover biblical principles applicable to each person and what they are going through, then one will need to utilize said Godly principles. Consequently, one will need to be creative in how the Bible is used in each counseling session. One will need to ensure that they get to know the person that they are counseling, the issues that they face, and what their spiritual belief is.

Communication skills – you must be able to listen and then report back your finding and conclusions to your audience

For me personal , my self-assess of interpersonal communication skills are very effective. I will sit back and listen to what people have to tell me and then give my thoughts on what should be done or what can't be done. I will also work with people to get a better understanding of a situation when it arises.

Another strength, is my use of Non-verbal communication. I emphasise tones, use gestures and eye contact. My colleagues have complemented me on my expressiveness and vocal inflections when communicating. It has also allowed me to communicate across cultural and language barriers when I find the situation challenging.