To What Extent is a Counsellor more than just a Good Listener? In your Discussion we would like you to draw on key elements that form the practice of counselling.

To What Extent is a Counsellor more than just a Good Listener? In your Discussion we would like you to draw on key elements that form the practice of counselling. In addition we would like you to consider your own qualities and skills and identify what you need to do to progress in the profession.

Part 1:

The counselling profession requires you to have several key elements to become an effective practitioner which includes good skills and qualities that will form the practice of counselling. This essay will discuss the definition of counselling and the key elements which surround this and what makes a good counsellor and what differences there are to a positive and negative therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor. In addition, the essay discusses the importance of skills and practices, counselling boundaries as well as the role of following an ethical framework. Finally will consider the main personal qualities a counsellor should have and how to develop this to progress further in the profession.

Counselling is defined as being an activity that has become part of a contemporary society although there are many definitions which emphasizes on the different aims, roles and processes. Karasu (1986) stated that there are over 400 different models of counselling and psychotherapy in today’s counselling practice and most of these were around over 40 years ago (McLeod, 2008, p17). Consequently trends started to change in the 1980s with the upsurge in the person-centred approach however cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic approach were just as fashionable. The reason for the different choices is due to the fact that there are many mixtures ‘of cultural, economic and social factors that contribute to the emergence of the multiplicity of counselling theories’ (McLeod, 2008, p18). Counselling is not just what happens between two people on a professional basis. It can be between friends, colleagues or a stranger you have befriended and in any environment whether at work, at the gym or any other social setting within society. More importantly, there are many key elements to becoming a flourishing counsellor and the most important one is being a good active listener in a calm and relaxed setting so that the client does not feel uptight.

This is a preview of the whole essay

Counselling is more than just about being a good listener it is about having a positive therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor. Nevertheless a friend/work colleague may not make a good counsellor as they will know the background information and likely to be judgemental. They may also eventually tire with the conversation and give bad advice just to stop the discussion. Being able to see someone who is trained in counselling is the best option for a positive solution. A counsellor will provide goals and advice to help a person who has a ‘problem with life’ and will be in a relaxed controlled way. This is obtained by having the skills and qualities necessary to be a counsellor that is accomplished through continuous training and development of their own self. Importantly the counsellor needs to gain a good rapport and be supportive, along with being able to guide the client to their goals or solutions. As well as being non judgemental and having a positive and friendly manner whilst adapting to the individuals needs is crucial.

The aims of counselling are to have a successful and pleasant therapeutic relationship with the client. There are many objectives for the counsellor to accomplish nevertheless these are flexible with all counselling approaches. Many of the ‘aims’ are to develop the persons’ self this includes self awareness, self-actualization, individualisation and self acceptance. Other aims are regarded in helping behavioural and cognitive changes depending on the field of counselling you practice. Having an overall ability to have an insight and understanding ‘of the origins of the client’s emotional difficulties through the theoretical form’ (McLeod, 2008, p20). The other aims to a secure, confidential relationship with the client is to have some kind of structure which will enable to explore and help resolve problems the person has with life. Theories do help make sense to some of the dimensions of reality nevertheless being able to connect with the person and gain a positive rapport is more important then the theory (McLeod, Counselling Theories: Diversity and Convergence, 2008). To help to maintain a positive relationship roles of ethics are a guidance to all.

The roles of ethics are essential and are put in place as a framework for counsellors to have guidance of what is expected in the working environment. British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has an extensive ‘Ethical Framework’ and within it has three approaches to ethics. These are values, principles and personal moral qualities which will guide on all aspects in developing a good therapeutic relationship which is beneficial to the client. However this notably will not be the sole directive for the counsellor. Values are fundamental to achieving this, which includes ‘respect for human rights and dignity, integrity of practitioner-client relationships, enhancing quality of professional knowledge, alleviating personal distress and suffering and facilitating a sense of self that is meaningful’. These are an important principle to the ethical obligation (BACP, Ethical Framework for Good Practice, 2010). Principles are the ethics responsibilities which include fidelity (client trusting the counselling), Autonomy (to self govern), Beneficience (commitment to the clients’ well-being), Non Malefience (to avoid harm coming to the client), Justice and self respect (to promote self). The finally approach is personal moral qualities which are the skills and qualities that are needed to be demonstrated and are identified in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. These include empathy, sincerity, integrity, resilience, respect, humility, competence, wisdom and courage. Personal qualities are very important whether it is ‘ethical or moral component’ and are expected to seek these qualities to become better counsellors (BACP, 2010). The ethical framework goes in detail about guideance to good practice with regards to teaching, training, keeping the trust, supervising and managing as well as the responsibilites to all clients. Having boundaries in this setting is imperative too to protect the counsellor and the client. The boundaries are defined by the time of the therapy session, personal physical space and how much information a client should know about the counsellor. One skill to learn is to be able to identify transference and counter transference feelings from either the counsellor or client and understanding whether the feelings are theirs or a copy from the client. Finally social roles between the practitioner and client outside the therapy room is just as in important. This may make the client feel uncomfortable if approached outside the sessions (McLeon, 2008, p227). This discussion in the essay has shown that a counsellor is more than just a good listener by drawing on the key elements that form the practice of counselling. Furthermore it has shown that the overall aim to counselling is to be able to help and achieve a positive outcome from the needs and goals of their client. The essay has also discussed the importance of boundaries and an ethical framework in place so that counsellors and clients are safe in their setting.

Word Count: 1066

References

BACP. (2010, January 2010). BACP: Ethical Framework. Retrieved from British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: (Accessed 2 January 2010)

BACP. (2010, January). BACP: Ethical Framework for Good Practice. Retrieved from British Assocaition for Counselling and Psychotherapy: (Accessed 2 January 2010)

McLeod, J. (2008). Chapter 1: An Introduction to Counselling in McLeon, J & Langdridge, D. (Ed.),D171 Introduction to Counselling. Milton Keynes: The Open University.

McLeod, J. (2008). Chapter 3: Counselling Theories: Diversity and Convergence in McLeon, J & Langdridge, D. (Ed.), D171 Introduction to Counselling. Milton Keynes: The Open University.

McLeon, J. (2008). Chapter 7: The Counselling Relationship in McLeon, J & Langdridge, D. (Ed.), D171 Introduction To Counselling. Milton Keynes: The Open University.