Basics of Counselling - Foundation Skills Flashcards
While there are various models of counselling such as CBT, Gestalt, Person-centred etc, they all rely on good…
foundational skills or micro-skills.
What is a microskill?
a small element of conversational behaviour which can improve the therapeutic alliance.
Active listening can enhance the
relationship
What are the cons of learning microskills?
Counselling competence diminishes after each micro-skill training because trainees tend to focus on the skill rather than the relationship.
Describe Joining?
tuning in or being on the same wavelength as the client
Describe how a counsellor listens with interest?
- Minimal responses
- brief invitations to continue
- non-verbal behaviour
- Voice
- Silence
Describe minimal responses.
Reaffirming that you listening - can include mm-hmm, ah-ah, I see, yes, ok, really…or can be a disagreement or agreement accompanied by facial expressions, tone, eye movements though this should be done sparingly as clients generally want to be heard rather than agreed or disagreed with.
Difference between being emphatic and agreeing?
Emphatic involves hearing, understanding, and valuing the person. While agreeing, may be useful at times, it may be counterproductive in that valuable tools are not learned. More useful to listen and understand without judgment.
Describe invitations to continue…
Then … And … Tell me more … Can you tell me more? … Would you like to tell me more? … Would you like to continue?
Counselling
What is non verbal behaviour?
- matching non -verbal behaviour
- physical closeness
- the use of movement
- facial expression
- eye contact
Describe matching non-verbal behaviour
posture mirroring -if a counsellor causally mirrors the posture, this may change a persons emotional state. Could lead to the client then following the counsellors example.
Appropriate matching of non-verbal behaviour can help the…
joining process.
There are major differences in comfort levels related to physical closeness from
different cultures
It is a matter of judgement in knowing how comfortable the other person is so as to not
invade their personal space.
The use of movement such as leaning forward can be useful to show that a counsellor
that a counsellor is joining in an emphatic way.
Facial expressions should show interest, care, and concern and avoid
giving the impression of negative judgements.