define what is counselling

Professional counselling is a safe and confidential* collaboration between qualified counsellors and clients to promote mental health and wellbeing, enhance self-understanding, and resolve identified concerns.
Clients are active participants in the counselling process at every stage.

Counsellors work with children, young people, adults, couples, families and groups.

Counselling may be short term, long term, or over a lifetime, according to clients’ needs.

Counsellors are fully present with their clients, using empathy and deep listening to establish positive working relationships. Counselling is effective when clients feel safe, understood, respected, and accepted
without judgement.

Counselling is a profession with a strong evidence base. Counsellors use empirically supported interventions and specialised interpersonal skills to facilitate change and empower clients.

Counsellors are trained in a range of modalities to work with clients from diverse backgrounds.

Counselling can be broad or focused. Clients may explore: aspects of identity, spirituality, relationships with self and others, past experiences, parenting, grief and loss, trauma, domestic violence, child abuse,
use of alcohol and other substances, depression, anxiety, and other experiences.

Changes facilitated by counselling include: change in perspective, new insight, new ways of thinking about situations, new awareness of feelings, enhanced capacity to tolerate and regulate feelings, new
actions or behaviours, and new decisions about life.

PACFA registered counsellors have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate counselling qualification. They are expected to participate in ongoing professional development and supervision, including
their own counselling, to stay current with developments in their profession and to ensure safe, ethical practice.

* Confidentiality is limited when there are risks to the safety of the client or others.

what are the goals of counselling

Introduction
Different individuals have different perceptions of what can be expected of counseling. Individuals preparing to become counselors, and those who seek counseling, as well as parents, teachers,
school administrators and governmental agencies, all differ in their expectations of the counseling experience. The final designation of these goals is to be determined by the counselor and the client
as a team.

Counseling theorists do not always agree on appropriate counseling goals because they are often general, vague and saturated with implications. However, these are the five most commonly named
goals of counseling:
1. Facilitating behaviour change.
 2. Improving the client’s ability to establish and maintain relationships.
3. Enhancing the client’s effectiveness and ability to cope.
4. Promoting the decision-making process and facilitating client potential.
5. Development.
These goals are not mutually exclusive and will naturally be emphasized by some theorists and not others.

Enhancing Coping Skills

We will inevitably run into difficulties in the process of growing up. Most of us do not completely achieve all of our developmental tasks within a lifetime. All of the unique expectations and
requirements imposed on us by others will eventually lead to problems. Any inconsistencies in development can result in children learning behaviour patterns that are both inefficient and ineffective.
Learned coping patterns, however, may not always work. New interpersonal or occupational role demands may create an overload and produce excessive anxiety and difficulty for the individual.

Children who grow up in excessively strict homes frequently adjust to such training measures through learned behavioural inhibition. When social or occupational responsibilities require individuals to
be assertive, they may experience anxiety and be unable to handle responsibilities effectively. In addition to psychological symptoms, physical symptoms such as frequent headaches, stuttering in
front of people in authority or the inability to sleep are common. This maladjustment to daily living makes coping skills an important goal of counseling.

Source

Improving Relationships
Many clients tend to have major problems relating to others due to poor self-image. Likewise, inadequate social skills cause individuals to act defensively in relationships. Typical social difficulties can
be observed in family, marital and peer group interaction (e.g., the troubled elementary school child). The counselor would then strive to help the client improve the quality of their lives by developing
more effective interpersonal relationships.

Promoting Decision-Making
The goal of counseling is to enable the individual to make critical decisions regarding alternative courses of action without outside influence. Counseling will help individuals obtain information, and to
clarify emotional concerns that may interfere with or be related to the decisions involved. These individuals will acquire an understanding of their abilities and interests. They will also come to identify
emotions and attitudes that could influence their choices and decisions.
The activity of stimulating the individual to evaluate, accept and act upon a choice, will assist them in learning the entirety of the decision-making process. The individual will develop autonomy and
avoid dependence on a counselor.

How to Conduct the First Counseling Session

Facilitating Client Potential
Counseling seeks to maximize an individual’s freedom by giving him or her control over their environment while analyzing responsiveness and reaction to the environment. Counselors will work to
help people learn how to overcome, for example, excessive substance use and to better take care of their bodies.
Counselors will also assist in overcoming sexual dysfunction, drug addiction, compulsive gambling and obesity, as well as anxiety, shyness and depression.

Facilitating Behaviour Change

Most theorists indicate that the goal of counseling is to bring about change in behaviour that will enable the client to be more productive as they define their life within society’s limitations. According
to Rodgers (1961), behaviour change is a necessary result of the counseling process, although specific behaviours receive little or no emphasis during the process.
Alternatively, Dustin and George (1977) suggested that the counselor must establish specific counseling goals. A necessary shift from general goals to specific goals should take place to enable both
the client and counselor to understand what change is desired. Specific behaviour goals have additional value as the client is better able to see any change that occurs.
Krumbolz (1966) suggested three additional criteria for judging counseling goals, as follows:
1. The goals of counseling should be capable of being stated differently for each individual client.
2. The goals should be compatible with, though not identical to, the values of the counselor.
3. The degree to which goals of counseling are attained by each client should be observable.

Conclusion
These goals are not mutually exclusive, nor are they equally appropriate for every client at any specific time. Counseling goals can be classified according to three categories: ultimate, intermediate
and immediate.
Ultimate goals are philosophical ideals that can be reasonably expected from counseling. These goals include helping individuals to realize their full potential or to become self-actualized.

Intermediate goals relate to the reasons for seeking counseling and usually require several sessions to achieve them. Helping the individual develope to become and remain a well-adjusted, mentally
healthy person and to achieve his/her potentialities, would classify as an intermediate goal.

Immediate goals, on the other hand, are the moment-by-moment intentions of counseling, for example, encouraging the client to verbalize an unexpressed feeling.

what are the principles of counselling

Principles of Counselling:
1. Principle of acceptance—accept the patient with his physical, psychological, social, economical and cultural conditions.

2. Principle of communication—communication should be verbal as well as non-verbal and should be skilful.

3. Principle of empathy—instead of showing sympathy put yourself in patients shoes and then give reflections accordingly (Empathy is
ability to identify with a person.)

4. Principle of non-judge—mental attitude-do not criticize or comment negatively regarding patient’s complaints.

5. Principle of confidentiality—always keep the patient’s name, and the problem strictly secrete and assure the patient about the same.
6. Principle of individuality—treat each and every patient as unique and respect his problem as well.

7. Principles of non-emotional involvement—not getting emotionally involved with the patient and avoid getting carried away with his
feelings.

what are the core values of counselling

We value the potential of every human being to change and to continue learning throughout their lifespan, in formal and informal settings, and especially in the
environment of counseling and psychological services.

We value strong relationships as the primary vehicle in helping others to learn new ways of thinking, feeling and behaving, including collaboration within the university
community and partnering with other offices to provide comprehensive mental health services to students.

We value an emphasis on prevention of mental health problems through education, intervention, and outreach into the University community.

We value training new professionals and support for on-going training of staff.

We value respect for diversity of individuals, their cultures, languages, lifestyles, identities, ideologies, intellectual capacities, personalities, and capabilities to expand our
learning opportunities and understanding of global connections.

Counseling Center Core Principles

We believe these principles are at the heart of every effective clinical interaction. Individually and collectively, we strive to make sure that we
adhere to these principles. They shape our interventions as clinicians, our interactions as colleagues and our liaison, consu ltation and outreach
to the larger Skidmore College Community.

COMPASSION
Students who come to the Counseling Center are typically in some kind of emotional pain, distress or confusion. We strive to provide an
empathic, nonjudgmental environment where we listen to students carefully and without preconceptions and where students will feel heard and
validated.

COLLABORATION
Effective mental health interventions always involve good collaboration between clinicians and clients. We strive to insure t hat our clients are
equal participants in their therapy, that they understand their treatment plan and that the relationships betwe en students and Counseling Center
staff are open and respectful. We also strive to maintain effective teamwork within the Counseling Center and to collaborate effectively across
campus with other student services, with faculty and with parents.

EXPERTISE
As clinicians, we take our responsibility to provide expert care seriously. We take responsibility for our continued growth a s professionals. We
are open about our professional credentials and training and we use consultation services as needed and appropr iate.

RESPECT FOR AUTONOMY

We respect that the students coming to the Counseling Center are emerging adults, who are taking responsibility for seeking h elp to solve their
problems. We believe that treatment is there to help students provide their own answe rs and solutions to their questions and problems. We
encourage students to work with us to meet their goals and to assume responsibility for their current lives and future direct ion.

SENSITIVITY TO DIFFERENCE
We understand, appreciate and celebrate the differences that exist between individuals at Skidmore. We are committed to insuring that the
Counseling Center is a welcoming and safe space for all.

CONFIDENTIALITY
Our staff recognizes the importance of privacy and safety as the basis of effective therapy. We take student confidentiality very seriously. We do
not share information about students seeking help at the Counseling Center with anyone without written permission. Exceptions to confidentiality
are rare and specifically mandated by law and professional ethics. We make sure to review confidentiality during our first contacts with all
students and are available to answer any questions about confidentiality as they may arise in the course of treatment.
Counselling: Meaning, Techniques, and Principles
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After reading this article you will learn about Counselling:- 1. Meaning of Counselling 2. Skills and Techniques of
Counselling 3. Principles 4. Goals.
Meaning of Counselling:
1. Counselling is not a process of giving advice, but it is a process of helping your patient who is genuinely in need.

2. It aims to help an individual to help himself to overcome his problem.

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3. Counselling is different from a casual conversation as it builds a professional relationship with the patient.

4. It is totally FOCUSED, SPECIFIC and PURPOSEFUL.

5. Counselling is a long-term process and consists of professional communication.

6. What is Communication?

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It is a process in which there is exchange of thoughts, ideas and feelings. It happens between two or more persons. It differs from casual
communication.

7. Types of Communication – Verbal and non-verbal.

Supportive Verbal:
1. Use language that patient understands.

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2. Convey interest in him by remembering name or the problem he has told.

3. Use encouraging statements.

4. Give the needed information.

5. Use humour or other means to reduce tensions.

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6. Speak slowly, softly and clearly.

Non-Supportive Verbal:
1. Direct advising.

2. Criticizing blaming.

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3. Scolding.

4. Discussing your personal problems.

5. Interrupting and imposing your own values.

6. Non-accepting patients feelings.

7. Asking direct and embarrassing questions.

8. Arguing.

9. Excessive curiosity in personal things.

10. Giving un-guaranteed reassurance.

11. Talking too much.

Supportive Non-verbal:
1. Maintain suitable conversational distance.

2. Maintain proper eye contact.

3. Attentive body posture.

4. Use occasional gestures.

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Non-supportive Non-verbal:
1. Looking away frequently.

2. Inappropriate distance.

3. Looking bored and irritated.

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4. Looking at watch and showing restlessness.

5. Unpleasant tone of voice.

6. Unwanted or hating expressions.

Skills and Techniques of Counselling:

1. Listening skills—you should always listen carefully and not question the patient too frequently. Allow him to ventilate through your
listening.

2. Attending skill—your proper attention should be given to the patient to show interest and concern-verbal and non-verbal.

3. Feedback—expressing the meaning of patient’s feelings and summarizing his problems.

4. Probing—focusing in depth on particular aspects of the situation.

5. Confronting—help the patient to realize his problems or help him to become aware of what he is suffering from, by making proper state-
ments.

6. Interpreting—presenting the alternative ways or angles to look at his situation.

7. Self-disclosure—share your attitude, opinions and experiences.

8. Non-dependence—do not make the patient dependent rather make him self sufficient to solve his problems independently.

9. Questioning—ask open ended questions so that the patients gets the clue to open up with you. Do not ask too many close-ended
questions.
10. Incomplete sentence—encourage the patient to complete the sentence if he is not able to do so.

11. Refocusing—if the patient is going off track or talking in circles get him back to maintain the theme without hurting any of his feelings.

12. Silence—be with the patient’s feelings while he is crying and do not prevent him from crying. Let him cry and ventilate himself.

13. Connecting—show connection between thought, behaviour and result or effect of what has gone before.

Principles of Counselling:
1. Principle of acceptance—accept the patient with his physical, psychological, social, economical and cultural conditions.

2. Principle of communication—communication should be verbal as well as non-verbal and should be skilful.

3. Principle of empathy—instead of showing sympathy put yourself in patients shoes and then give reflections accordingly (Empathy is
ability to identify with a person.)

4. Principle of non-judge—mental attitude-do not criticize or comment negatively regarding patient’s complaints.

5. Principle of confidentiality—always keep the patient’s name, and the problem strictly secrete and assure the patient about the same.

6. Principle of individuality—treat each and every patient as unique and respect his problem as well.

7. Principles of non-emotional involvement—not getting emotionally involved with the patient and avoid getting carried away with his
feelings.

Goals of Counselling:
1. Listening keenly to the patient is the main goal.

2. Identify the need of the patient. E.g., parents need counselling for their children’s behaviour problems.
3. To make the patient to ventilate his emotions properly and help him to be aware of his own emotions and encourage him to be
independent.

4. Main problem should be focused so that the sub-problems should be identified by the patient himself.

5. Make the patient to accept himself with his problem and help him to adjust with it till it gets over.

6. To focus on his strengths by studying the case and produce positive attitude in him and ultimately help him to reduce his negativity.