COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

MODULE 01

COUNSELING
Definitions
Counselling is an interactive process conjoining the counselee who needs assistance and
counsellor who is educated and trained to give assistance.
Counselling is a process in which the counsellor assist counselee to make interpretations of
factors relating to a choice, plan or adjustments which he needs to make. -Smith
Counselling is that interaction which occurs between two individuals called counsellor and
client, takes place in a professional setting and is instituted and maintain to facilitate changes
in the behaviour of a client. -Pepinesky
Counselling can assume the function of change, prevention, or life enhancement.
Need of counselling
At times, a person might experience trauma, distress, or memories that generate
unhealthiness in their behaviour and in their lives. Thus, they might necessitate the help of
those qualified professionals who are trained to counsel and help those people who are under
the bottom of their emotional dilemmas. They offer professional counselling service to help
those individuals who are in need of emotional support. Counselling is a term used to
comfort, listen, or give advice to those people who are experiencing depression or any
emotional problems.
One of the common signs that a person might need counselling is when he has exhausted his
support system. Most individuals might not avail counselling that they need because they fear
of asking for help. Going to a counselling service can be the healthiest thing that individuals
can do for themselves. The people need counselling to understand their emotions, clear their
doubts and conflicts; they need someone to share the special experiences and feelings.
Scope of counselling
Counselling is a part of guidance, so it has also the same dimensions of scope as guidance.
Beside these, counselling as a specialized programme has some special needs also. Problems
and needs in society are not new. But today they seem to be proliferating at an unprecedented
rate. Counselling is required to solve a variety of social problems. Counselling is necessary in
different areas like Juvenile delinquency, Marriage, Weaker sections, Disadvantaged groups,
Drug addiction etc. Scope of counselling is very vast. It is concerned with various problems
and progress of an individual for example the planning relating to financial and health
problems, problems related to family, society and emotional adjustments
Bragdon has identified certain situations where counseling is required.
• When a pupil requires not only reliable information but also an interesting interpretation of
that information which can solve his personal difficulties
• When a pupil needs intelligent listener who has more experience than the pupil, to whom he
can recite his difficulties.
• When the pupil has some problem but he is unaware of that problem, he is to be made aware
of that problem.
• When the pupil suffers the maladjustment problem or some handicap which is temporary
and which needs careful and diagnosis by an expert
Counselling covers a very wide area. It may be summarized as following.
1. Children: concerns within the family unit, sibling relationships, school experiences
2. Adolescents: identity, parents relationships, peer relationships
3. Adults: identity, relationships, vocation
4. Singles: single, newly single, single through divorce or being widowed
5. Gender: identity, sexuality, homosexuality
6. Career counselling
7. Educational progress
8. Workplace stress and relationships
9. Social and Emotional Adjustment
10. Financial and health problems
11. Anxiety
12. Anger management
13. Depression
14. Grief and bereavement
15. Sexual abuse recovery
16. Stress management
17. Marital dynamics and relationships
18. Extended family relationships
19. Divorce and separation issues
20. Remarriage relationship counselling
Principles of counselling
The principles of counselling can be found in the basic process of counselling since they
govern each and every step: developing trust; exploring problem areas; helping to set goals;
empowering into action; helping to maintain change; and agreeing when to end.
Advice: Counselling may involve advice-giving as one of the several functions that
counsellors perform. When this is done, the requirement is that a counsellor makes judgments
about a counselee’s problems and lays out options for a course of action. Advice-giving has to
avoid breeding a relationship in which the counselee feels inferior and emotionally dependent
on the counsellor.
Reassurance: Counselling involves providing clients with reassurance, which is a way of
giving them courage to face a problem or confidence that they are pursuing a suitable course
of action. Reassurance is a valuable principle because it can bring about a sense of relief that
may empower a client to function normally again
Release of emotional tension: Counselling provides clients the opportunity to get emotional
release from their pent-up frustrations and other personal issues. Counselling experience
shows that as persons begin to explain their concerns to a sympathetic listener, their tensions
begin to subside. They become more relax and tend to become more coherent and rational.
The release of tensions helps remove mental blocks by providing a solution to the problem.
Clarified thinking: Clarified thinking tends to take place while the counsellor and counselee
are talking and therefore becomes a logical emotional release. As this relationship goes on,
other self-empowering results may take place later as a result of developments during the
counselling relationship. Clarified thinking encourages a client to accept responsibility for
problems and to be more realistic in solving them.
Reorientation: Reorientation involves a change in the client’s emotional self through a
change in basic goals and aspirations. This requires a revision of the client’s level of
aspiration to bring it more in line with actual and realistic attainment. It enables clients to
recognize and accept their own limitations. The counsellor’s job is to recognize those in need
of reorientation and facilitate appropriate interventions.
Listening skills: Listening attentively to clients is the counsellor’s attempt to understand both
the content of the clients’ problem as they see it, and the emotions they are experiencing
related to the problem. Counsellors do not make interpretations of the client’s problems or
offer any premature suggestions as to how to deal with them, or solve the issues presented.
Good listening helps counsellors to understand the concerns being presented.
Respect. In all circumstances, clients must be treated with respect, no matter how peculiar,
strange, disturbed, weird, or utterly different from the counsellor. Without this basic element,
successful counselling is impossible. Counsellors do-not have to like the client, or their
values, or their behaviour, but they have to put their personal feelings aside and treat the
client with respect.
Empathy and positive regard:Carl Rogers combined empathy and positive regard as two
principles that should go along with respect and effective listening skills. Empathy requires
the counsellor to listen and understand the feelings and perspective of the client and positive
regard is an aspect of respect. For Rogers, clients have to be given both “unconditional
positive regard” and be treated with respect.
Clarification, confrontation, and interpretation: Clarification is an attempt by the counsellor
to restate what the client is either saying or feeling, so the client may learn something or
understand the issue better. Confrontation and interpretation are other more advanced
principles used by counsellors in their interventions.
Transference and countertransference: Other advanced principles deal with transference and
countertransference. When clients are helped to understand transference reactions, they are
empowered to gain understanding of important aspects of their emotional life.
Countertransference helps both clients and counsellor’s to understand the emotional and
perceptional reactions and how to effectively manage them
Types and fields of counselling
1.INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING: Individual counselling is a personal opportunity to
receive support and experience growth during challenging times in life. Individual
counselling can help one deal with many personal topics in life such as anger, depression,
anxiety, substance abuse, marriage and relationship challenges, parenting problems, school
difficulties, career changes, etc. Individual counselling (sometimes called psychotherapy, talk
therapy, or treatment) is a process through which clients work one-on-one with a trained
mental health clinician in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. Counselling allows
individuals to explore their feelings, beliefs, and behaviours, work through challenging or
influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change, better
understand themselves and others, set personal goals, and work toward desired change.
Individual counselling is counselling focused on the individual's immediate or near future
concerns. Individual counselling may encompass career counselling and planning, grief after
a loved one dies or dealing with problems at a job before they become big. Individual
counselling is a one-on-one discussion between the counsellor and the client, who is the
person seeking treatment. The two form an alliance, relationship or bond that enables trust
and personal growth.
Individual psychotherapy sessions typically last between 45 and 50 minutes. The frequency
and duration of therapy will depend largely on your needs, treatment goals, and progress.
Many concerns are readily resolved with short-term therapy, and other chronic or more
complex concerns require long-term commitment before improvement is realized.
Research has shown that psychotherapy results in fewer relapses of common conditions such
as moderate depression and anxiety, and that the positive effects of good therapy extend well
beyond treatment. In fact, many clients report improved conditions long after therapy has
ended. In general, psychotherapy is often more effective than psychotropic drugs or medical
treatments alone, which may cause harmful side effects. In addition, many therapeutic
modalities are evidence-based, meaning they have been subject to research studies and
clinical observations, and they have been analysed for effectiveness.
What are the Benefits of Individual Counselling? Individual counselling is helpful for a
variety of reasons, such as
1.Self-Awareness : Counsellors are crucial outside observers who provide individuals with a
perspective they are not able to see on their own. Counsellors often encourage individuals to
reflect and delve into their experiences. For example, mindfulness is a widely used tool used
in counselling to increase an individual’s ability to be pre sent in the here and now. The
mindfulness activities often urge individuals to consider the thoughts, feelings, and sensations
occurring in the session. This type of practice leads to self-awareness of the human
experience.
2.Communication Skills: In addition to identifying boundaries, counselling tends to improve
communication skills, such as those pertaining to assertiveness, emotional intelligence,
empathy, active listening, confidence, and respect. Assertiveness, which involves standing up
for one’s own needs while also respecting the needs of others, is crucial to
3.Identifying Boundaries: In order to communicate boundaries, an individual must first seek
to identify and to become aware of them. The role of a counsellor is to provide insight into
the needs and preferences of an individual. How much time do you need away from your
partner each week? How can you prioritize tasks to set boundaries for yourself? Each of these
questions can be explored in counselling.
4.Self-Exploration : Counselling also allows individuals to embark on a journey of self-
exploration. Who am I? What are my beliefs and values? What makes life meaningful for
me? Who are the individuals in my support network? These are all questions counselling puts
at the forefront of an individual’s mind.
2.GROUP COUNSELLING: Group counselling is a form of counselling where a small
group of people meet regularly to discuss, interact, and explore problems with each other and
the group leader. In addition, people who have a difficult time with interpersonal
relationships can benefit from the social interactions that are a basic part of the group
counselling experience.
A group counselling section should be divided up into three segments: activity, conversation,
and conclusion. Each segment has a specific purpose. The activity segment is used to
introduce the topic of discussion for the day. The conversation segment should be more
direct. The conclusion segment is a time devoted to highlighting the main points of
discussion. This time should also be used to end the counselling session on a positive note.
Benefits of Group Counselling
(a) You are not alone: Groups provide support and make you realize that other students
experience similar challenges. You are not as different or alone as you think.
(b) Groups provide a sounding board: Groups can offer a different perspective. Receive
support and share your wisdom.
(c) Groups can propel you forward: Hearing from others on how they've overcome can be
encouraging. During the group experience you will likely meet people representing a wide
variety of backgrounds and experiences. Listening and learning from every member's
perspective provides members with greater insight into your personal growth and
development.
(d) Groups promote social skills: While it is common for students to feel anxious prior to
attending their first group, most students feel relieved and more comfortable as the sessions
progress. Remember, it takes time to feel comfortable speaking up in a group, adjust to group
norms, and experience the benefits of group. It is important that you share at your own pace.
(e) Groups are not limited: There are no session limits on groups and your student fees have
already paid for the service, so its a way to receive more counselling than is possible
individually.
(f) Groups teach you about yourself: Groups can be a way of uncovering the areas that may
be blocking your ability to overcome your issues. Groups offer a confidential, safe space for
students to gain self awareness and awareness of others. The experience often reduces
loneliness, normalizes your experiences, promotes change in quick and meaningful ways, and
helps you to learn and process new skills.
What are the Goals of Group Counselling?
▪ Give and receive support
▪ Gain understanding of problems and explore possible solutions
▪ Practice interpersonal skills in a safe group setting
▪ Learn more about how you come across to others
▪ Increase observation and feedback skills
▪ Enhance problem-solving skills
▪ Improve emotional expressiveness
▪ Decrease social isolation
▪ Develop good communication skills
3.CAREER COUNSELLING: Career development is a lifelong process that, whether you
know it or not, actually started when you were born! There are a number of factors that
influence your career development, including your interests, abilities, values, personality,
background, and circumstances. Career Counselling is a process that will help you to know
and understand yourself and the world of work in order to make career, educational, and life
decisions. Career development is more than just deciding on a major and what job you want
to get when you graduate. It really is a lifelong process, meaning that throughout your life
you will change, situations will change, and you will continually have to make career and life
decisions. The goal of Career Counselling is to not only help you make the decisions you
need to make now, but to give you the knowledge and skills you need to make future career
and life decisions. A career counsellor should be aware of client’s education, skills, strengths,
weaknesses, interests, personality, and other such important factors to ensure the best possible
result. A career counsellor goes through the thorough interviewing process of the clients to
know all such factors and then apply that information for the job search using all available
technology and resources. Thus, helping the clients in the best possible way.
Career counsellors are responsible for having knowledge of all the job requirement and skills
needed for the various fields. It could be medical, engineering, creativity, fashion designing,
architecture or many more. Every field requires some specific qualification and skills, so the
counsellor should be aware of all such factors to guide the client better. After they have
assessed a client they will then match them up with a field suitable for their skills and
personality, creating the most profitable match possible in terms of job satisfaction and
monetary earnings.
The client with the help of career counsellor finds the right job by knowing their skills and
strengthening them for the bright future. It guides them to locate their resources in the best
possible way. Once they know their goal, they are more confident to walk into the corporate
world and accept the challenge of work life.
What can I expect? Career Counselor WILL:
(g) Help you figure out who you are and what you want out of your education, your career,
and your life.
(h) Be someone for you to talk to about your thoughts, ideas, feelings, and concerns about
your career and educational choices, who will help you sort out, organize, and make sense of
your thoughts and feelings.
(i) Help you identify the factors influencing your career development, and help you assess
your interests, abilities, and values.
(j) Help you locate resources and sources of career information.
(k) Help you to determine next steps and develop a plan to achieve your goals.
Career Counselor WON’T:
(d) Tell you what to do, or tell you what you should major in or what career you should
pursue.
(e) Advise you in course selection or scheduling.
4. FAMILY COUNSELLING: The family is the most important connection that humans
have with one another. Societies formed around family units and without our connection to
each other and our biological instinct to protect our families humans may not have evolved
and advanced the way they have. However, not all families are without troubles stress or
conflict. The key to having and keeping successful family unit moving forward is to be able
to understand and identify the needs of the individual members and balance those with the
well-being of the family unit. Family counselling is a unique from of therapy that can help
with blending those needs.
FAMILY THERAPY: Family Therapy or family counselling is designed to address specific
issues that affect the psychological health of the family. Such as major life transitions or
mental health conditions. It may be use as the primary mode of treatment or as a
complementary approach.
The Benefits Of Family Counselling
Families can benefit from therapy when they experience any stressful event that may strain
family relationships. Such as, financial hardships, divorce, or the death of a loved one. In
addition it can be effective in treating mental health concerns that impact the family as a
whole such as depression, substance abuse , chronic illness , and food issues or every day
concerns like communication problems, interpersonal conflict, or behavioural problems in
children and adolescents. Family Counselling aims to promote understanding and
collaboration among family members in order to solve the problems of one or more
individuals.
5. PRE MARITAL COUNSELING: Pre marital counselling is often provided by licensed
therapist known as marriage and family therapists. These therapists have graduate or post
graduate degrees and many choose to become credentialed by the American Association For
Marriage and Family Therapy ( AAMFT) counselling might be offered through religious
institutions as well. In fact some spiritual leaders require pre-marital Counselling before
conducting a marriage ceremony
Why It's Done
Pre marital Counselling can help couples improve their relationship before marriage . You
will be encouraged to discuss topics related to marriage
such as : Finance, communication, beliefs and values, roles in marriage, affection and sex,
desire to have children, family relationship, decision making, dealing with anger, time spent
together etc.
Premarital counselling helps partners improve their ability to communicate, set realistic
expectations for marriage and develop conflict, resolution skills . In addition premarital
counselling can help couples establish a positive attitude about seeking help down the road.
Many people go into marriage believing it will fulfil their social, financial sexual and
emotional needs and that’s not always the case. By discussing differences and expectations
before marriage, you and your partner can better understand and support each other during
marriage.
How You Prepare
The only preparation needed for pre marital counselling is to find a licensed marriage and
family therapist loved ones and friends might have recommendation. Your health insurer,
employee assistance program, clergy or state or local mental health agencies also might offer
recommendations
Before scheduling sessions with a specific therapist consider whether the therapist would be a
good fit for you and your partner. You might ask questions such as these.
Education :What’s your educational and training background?
Experience :What is your experience with pre- marital counselling?
Treatment plan ; How many sessions should l expect to have?
Benefits Of Pre marital Counselling Pre marital counselling can help partners identify areas
likely to cause conflict later on finances child rearing methods, career goals and family
dynamics among others and either work through these issues in the early stages of the
relationship. If possible or develop a plan to address then in the years to come. A study
published in the journal of family psychology, which was conducted via random telephone
survey. Showed couples who had participated in some type of pre marital Counselling
program were 31% less likely to divorce.
PRE MARITAL COUNSELING STYLES
Depending on your religious background. Your reason for seeking counselling before
marriage and the personality of you and your partner. There are different type of professional
counselling for you and your significant other can greatly increase it’s effectiveness and the
benefit you get out of the experience.
Religious pre marital counselling : Many religious institutions require couples to attend some
sort of counselling before performing the marriage ceremony. This faith based counselling
can be a combination of different styles including group courses, one on one meeting with a
religious advisor and or comparability tests.
Online pre marital counselling courses If you and your partner prefer a more private
experience. There are online courses you can take to help get you closer to achieving your
marriage related goals. Online courses generally take no more than half a day and will help
facilitate discussion with you and your partner.
Here are some of the key benefits you can gain by getting pre marital counselling,
You gain insight
Pre marital counselling can shed light on these issues and help the couple solve them before it
takes them by surprise.
You get outside professional guidance
You strengthen communication skills
You set realistic expectations
You get tips on financial planning
You Understand each other’s major triggers
You identify potential conflicts.
6. MARITAL COUNSELLING: Marriage counsellors treat some of the same issues as
other psychologist such as depression and anxiety substance abuse and ptsd. But their work
focuses on issues that family countless encounter a Mantle conflicts adolescent behaviour
problems domestic violence and issues related to infertility. Marriage and family therapist
observe how people behave within the family and identify relationship problems. They then
come up with treatment plants so that each individual has his or her needs met and the family
unit can work for the benefit and happiness of all
Though marriage is often thought to be the “happily Ever After” face of a relationship, there
are fair share of challenges. While some of these challenges may easily be resolved other
issues may be too tough to tackle and could even be the means to an end.
Factors which makes married couples meet a counselor;
• Lack of complete communication
• Wandering focuses
• Emotional infidelity
• Fighting about money
• Waning appreciation
• Technology interference
• Selfishness
• Lacking
• Losing control of anger
• Change in future ambitions
By these days no, many couple attend counselling before tying the knot as a part of their
marriage preparations. Often referred to as premarital counselling, these sessions will help a
couple learn how to work together effectively. Somethings are included in advance by
premarital counselling. marital counselling also called couples therapy is a type of
psychotherapy. Marriage counselling helps couples of all types recognise and resolve
conflicts and improve their relationships. Through marital counselling counsellor makes
couples think and make decisions about rebuilding and strengthening their relationship or
going their separate ways.
Marriage counselling or marital counselling is often short term it includes both partners but
sometimes one partner chooses to work with the Counsellor alone. The specific treatment
plan depends on the situation.
A counsellor should have these factors for smooth counselling session they are;
• Interpersonal skills
• Clear boundaries
• High ethical standards
• Desire to collaborate
• Goal Setting skills
Each and every factor have major roles and is essential in systematic marital counselling.
More than all this sometimes taking the first step by admitting the relationship needs help is
the hardest part. Most individuals find the experience to be insightful and empowering
6. GERIATRIC COUNSELLING: The physical and cognitive limitations related to the
process of aging can make daily life challenging for many seniors as they get older. This is
especially true for individuals who are accustomed to caring for themselves and maintaining
their own independence.
Geriatric counselling provide physical and psychological assessment services for older adults,
along with counselling, direct care ,treatment for mental health issues and assistance with
problems Interfering with a seniors quality of life. They often specialise in the identification
and resolution of issues to seniors residing in long-term care and assisted living facilities and
work closely with staff responsible for providing skilled nursing etc.
Geriatric counsellors often work closely with all types of people including older adults as
well as their family members and health care providers. A Geriatric counsellor have a number
of different responsibilities depending on their situations.
Before geriatric counsellor start working with a new client usually attempt to understand the
needs of the client. In most of the cases social isolation the factors affect the elderly most.
Geriatric counsellors keep a close eye on the mental and emotional state of their elderly
patients. During this time in a person’s life dealing with psychological problems is not all that
uncommon. For example an elderly individual may suffer from depression or a similar
problem. A Geriatric counsellor can often help his clients cope with these types of disorders
and offer guidance on how to deal with life’s challenges.
Unit 2- Concept, similarities and differences: counselling, guidance, social case work,
psychotherapy
GUIDANCE : Ruth Strang. “Guidance is a process of helping every individual, through his
own efforts, to discover and develop his potentialities for his personal happiness and social
usefulness.” Concept: As a concept guidance is concerned with the optimal development of
the individual. Guidance is concerned with optimal development of the individual for
educational, vocational, social, physical, moral, personal satisfaction both for his own
satisfaction and for the benefit of the society.
COUNSELING Definition: “counselling is a professional relationship that empowers
diverse individuals, families and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and
career goals.” Concept: Counselling is a scientific process of assistance extended by an expert
in an individual situation to a needy person. Counselling involves relationship between two
persons in which one of them (counsellor) attempts to assist the other (counselee or client) is
so organizing himself as to attain a particular form of happiness, adjusting to a life situation
or in short self actualization. It is a relationship of natural respect between counsellor and
counselee .
SOCIAL CASE WORK Definition: Mary Richmond says that “Social casework may be
defined as the art of doing different thing with different people co-operating with them to
achieve some of their own and society’s betterment.” Concept: It is a primary method of
social work, which is concerned with the adjustment and development of individuals towards
more satisfying relations in different situations.
PSYCHOTHERAPY: Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad
variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties. Psychotherapy can help eliminate or
control troubling symptoms so a person can function better and can increase well-being and
healing.
Problems helped by psychotherapy include difficulties in coping with daily life; the impact
of trauma, medical illness or loss, like the death of a loved one; and specific mental disorders,
like depression or anxiety.
Similarities between guidance and counselling
• Both guidance and counselling will help the client improve his/her behaviour
• Both involve some form of information sharing
• Both processes aim at the same goal – to help the client solve a problem or make a
decision.
As both guidance and counselling are psychological processes, and the main focus of
psychology is human behaviour, another goal of both guidance and counselling would be to
improve the behaviour of the client.
The main similarity would be the goal – to help the client in solving a problem or making a
decision. This would mean helping the client make the right career choice, in the case of
guidance, or solve a psychological problem, in the case of counselling.
Differences between guidance and counselling
1. Guidance is preventive, while counselling is curative. You may seek guidance before
choosing careers, but you seek counselling to save a problematic marriage.
2. Guidance helps an individual make the best choices, while counselling helps them
change their perspective. Guidance gives clients ready answers, while counselling helps
them come up with their well-informed solutions.
3. Guidance uses an external approach to tackle the issue at hand while counselling uses an
in-depth approach to establish the root causes of the problem before tackling it.
4. Guidance is the best approach for tackling educational and career problems while
counselling is best employed in tackling socio-psychological and other personal
problems.
5. Guidance is provided by an expert in the field at hand or anybody superior. It does not
require professional training. counselling is given by people who have been trained
professionally to handle psychological problems
6. Guidance provides ready answers and decisions for clients while counselling empowers
individuals to create the most appropriate solutions to tackle an issue
Similarities between social case work and psychotherapy
The purpose of social case work is to help an individual client to solve his psycho-social
problems in such a way that he becomes capable of dealing with these problems at present
and also may solve in future if such problems arise. Counselling aims at enabling individuals
to solve the present problems, to prepare themselves for future tasks and to attain a higher
degree of efficiency in dealing with his problems.
In case work and counselling ‘client’ is a man, women, or child, anyone who finds himself
or is found to be, in need of help in some aspect of his social-emotional living, shelter, the
need be for tangible provisions or counselling.
Differences between social case work and counselling
1. The main base of help in social case work is social service whereas in counselling, Help
is provided to the client without social service.
2. Social case work is always practiced in an agency but agency is not essentially Required
in counselling.
3. In social case work concrete service is rendered along with oral discussion but concrete
service is not provided in counselling. counsellor and client talk together on the problem but
no material help is provided.
4. In case work client is studied and understood as a whole but counsellor is concerned And
deals with one type of problem in one time
5. Social case work gives an emphasis on activity but in counselling, the client is enabled to
understand his problem.
6. In social case work the emphasis is basically on client and the type of service to be
Provided but in counselling an emphasis is laid on the problem, not the person concerned.
Counselling:
• Helps people identify problems and crises and encourages them to take positive steps to
resolve these issues.
• It is the best course of therapeutic treatment for anyone who already has an understanding
of wellbeing, and who is also able to resolve problems.
• Counselling is a short-term process that encourages the change of behaviour.
Psychotherapy:
• Helps people with psychological problems that have built up over the course of a long
period of time.
• It will help you understand your feelings, thoughts and actions more clearly.
• Psychotherapy is a longer-term process of treatment that identifies emotional issues and
the background to problems and difficulties.
Unit 3 Elements of counselling

1.Counselling setting
Physical setting Counselling may take place anywhere but some kind of physical setting
may promote and enhance the counselling process better than others. Benjamin 1987 and
Shertzer and Stone 1980 emphasized that among the most important factor that influences
the counselling process is the place where counselling occurs. Though there is no universal
quality that a room should have certain optimal conditions within the room where
counselling is to be rendered can provide a conductive environment to both the counsellor
and counselee.
The optimal condition include room with quiet colours, lighting that is neither too flashy and
bright nor too dull and depressing clutter free with harmonious and comfortable furniture and
good ventilation. It should be free from outside disturbances and should exude a feeling of
warmth. In short it should be comfortable such that a relaxed atmosphere is provided with
which the counselee can talk in a relaxed mood.
Seating arrangement The seating arrangement within the room depends on the counsellor.
Some counsellors prefer to sit behind the desk. However it has been postulated that a desk
can be a physical and symbolic barrier against the development of rapport between the client
and the counsellor. Benjamin 1987 suggests that counsellors may include two chairs and a
nearby table in the setting. The chairs could be at 90 degree angle from one another so that
the client can look at their counsellor. Counsellors could opt for other variation of physical
arrangement as per their comfort level.
Proximity between counsellor and counselee The distance between the counsellor and client
(the spatial features of the environment) can also affect the relationship. A distance of 30 to
39 inches has been found to be the average range of comfort between counsellor and client
of both genders. The optimum distance may vary with room size and furniture arrangement.
Benjamin and Shertzer and Stone emphasis that regardless of the arrangement within the
room, it is a universal requirement that counsellors should not be interrupted while
counselling. All phone calls should be held. If possible, counsellors should put do not disturb
sign boards on the door to prevent others from entering. Auditory and visual privacy are
important

2. Counsellor
Counsellor is a professionally trained person who offers help to people experiencing
emotional difficulties by helping them to identify and work through their issues. A counsellor
uses techniques such as talking therapy to assist people to reach there own resolutions or
develop strategies to address and remedy their concerns. The personal and professional
qualities of counsellors are very important in facilitating any helping relationship, and
thereby bringing about therapeutical transformation in another person(that is the client).
Characteristics of an effective counsellor
•Self awaeness
• Empathy
• Genuineness
• Open mindedness
• Warmth
• Concreteness
• Unconditional positive regard
• Objectiveness
The non verbal behaviours of the counsellor is equally important. Egan (1990) summarises 5
non verbal skills involved in attending and which conveys to the client that the counsellor is
interested in and open to him or her. Skills are abbreviated as SOLER.
S Face the client Squarely. That is adopt a posture that indicates involvement
O Adopt an Open posture. Sit with both feet on the ground to begin with and with your hands
folded, one over the other.
L Lean toward the client. However be aware of client s space needed.
E Maintain Eye contact.
R As counsellor incorporates these skills into his/her attending or listening skills, he/she
should Relax
3.Counselee
A person who is being counseled. Counselling process ,Counselling is a planned, structured
dialogue between counsellor and a client. It is a co-operative process in which a trained
professional helps a person called the client to identify sources of difficulties or concerns
that he or she is experiencing.
The term ‘counselling process’ implies continuous change or changes that take place or
rather Which should take place in the client in promoting personality changes in a desired
direction. The kind of change that the counseling process aims at it briefly.
1. Awareness on the part of the client
2. Behavioural change in a desired direction through which the client can achieve his goals
3. Understanding his potentialities, limitations etc....
Important psychological tests and tools and it’s applications in counseling
Definition :Psychological tests are written, visual, or verbal evaluations administered to
assess the cognitive and emotional functioning of children and adults.
Purpose: Psychological tests are used to assess a variety of mental abilities and attributes,
including achievement and ability, personality, and neurological functioning.
Achievement and ability tests :Achievement and ability tests are designed to measure the
level of a child’s intellectual functioning and cognitive ability. Most achievement and ability
tests are standardized, meaning that norms were established during the design phase of the
test by administering the test to a large representative sample of the test population.
Achievement and ability tests follow a uniform testing protocol, or procedure (i.e., test
instructions, test conditions, and scoring procedures) and their scores can be interpreted in
relation to established norms. Common achievement and ability tests include the Wechsler
intelligence scale for children (WISC-III) and the Stanford-Binet intelligence scales .
Test of Intelligence: Intelligence tests are psychological tests that are designed to measure a
variety of mental functions, such as reasoning, comprehension, and judgment. Intelligence
tests are based on an individual’s interaction with the environment and never exclusively
measure inborn intelligence.
Purpose :The goal of intelligence tests is to obtain an idea of the person’s intellectual
potential
Personality tests
Personality tests and inventories evaluate the thoughts, emotions, attitudes, and behavioral
traits that comprise personality. The results of these tests can help determine a child’s
personality strengths and weaknesses, and may identify certain disturbances in personality,
or psychopathology. Tests such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for
Adolescents (MMPI-A) and the Millon Pre-Adolescent Clinical Inventory III (M-PACI), are
used to screen children for specific psychopathologies or emotional problems.
Another type of personality test is the projective personality assessment . A projective test
asks a child to interpret some ambiguous stimuli, such as a series of inkblots. The child’s
responses provide insight into his or her thought processes and personality traits. For
example, the Holtzman Ink blot Test (HIT) uses a series of inkblots that the test subject is
asked to identify. Another projective assessment, the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT),
asks the child to tell a story about a series of pictures. Some consider projective tests to be
less reliable than objective personality tests. If the examiner is not well-trained in
psychometric evaluation, subjective interpretations may affect the evaluation of these tests
Neuropsychological tests
Children and adolescents who have experienced a traumatic brain injury, brain damage, or
other organic neurological problems, are administered neuropsychological tests to assess
their level of functioning and identify areas of mental impairment. Neuropsychological tests
may also be used to evaluate the progress of a patient who has undergone treatment or
rehabilitation for a neurological injury or illness. In addition, certain neuropsychological
measures may be used to screen children for developmental delays and/or learning
disabilities.
Risks
are no significant risks involved in psychological testing.
Tools used for psychological testing Intelligence testing: Wechsler adult intelligence scale
(WAIS) Wechsler intelligence scale for children (WISC) ,Personality testing:, Minnesota
multiphasic person (MMPI) ,Thematic apperception test (TAT) ,Achievement testing:,
Mathematical achievement testing, Attitude testing:, Linkert scale
Areas or use or applications
1. Testing in education: Tests of Ability in Education, Tests of Performance, intelligence tests
etc are used in educational setting of Pakistan. Psychological tests specially those of general
intelligence and of specific aptitude have very extensive use in educational classification,
selection and planning.
2. Psychological tests in Industries :There are a variety of selection tests. They range from
unstructured interviews to structured personality tests. The main goal of these tests is to
predict job performance. Each test has its own relative strengths and weaknesses in this
regard. Commonly employed selection tests used in Pakistan are job interview, Personality
testing, Mental ability tests and tests of Mental illness.
3.Clinical and counselling Settings.: Health Psychology is concerned with understanding
how biological, Psychological, environmental and cultural factors are involved in psychical
Health and the prevention of illness. Health psychologist work alongside other professionals
in clinical settings, work on behaviour change In public health promotion. Many ways the
intelligence test is the foundation for differential diagnosis to the psychologist. The
intelligence test measures major mental abilities that may be affected by the presence of an
organic disease or injury, thought disorder.
Unit 4
CODE OF ETHICS
A code of ethics is a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct business
honestly and with integrity. A code of ethics document may outline the mission and the value
of the business or organization, how professionals are supposed to approach problem, the
ethical principals based on a the organization’s core values, and the standards to which the
professionals are held. A code of ethics also referred to as an “ethical code “, may encompass
areas such as business ethics, or code of professionals practice and an employee code of
conduct.
VALUE BASED CODE OF ETHICS
A value based code of ethics address a company’s core value system. It may outline
standards of responsible conduct as they relate to larger public good and the environment.
Value-based ethical codes may require a greater degree of self-regulation than compliance-
based codes.
Some code of ethics conduct contain language that address both compliances and values. For
ex: a grocery store chain might create a code of conduct that espouses the company’s
commitment to health and safety regulation above financial gain. That grocery chain might
also include a statement about refusing to contract with suppliers that feed hormones to
livestock or raise animals in inhumane living conditions.
CODE OF ETHICS AMONG PROFESSIONALS
Financial advisers registered with the securities and exchange commission or a state
regulator are bound by a code of ethics known as Fiduciary duty. This is a legal requirement
and also a code of loyalty that requires them to act in the best interest of their clients.
Certified public accountants, wo are not typically considered to be a fiduciary to their clients,
still are expected to follow similar ethical standards, such as integrity, objectivity,
truthfulness, and avoidance to conflicts of interest, according to the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
STANDARD IN COUNSELLING
Counselling depends on clients being able to trust their counsellors. They trust their feelings
of vulnerability to someone who is committed to using their knowledge and skills to act in
the best interest of their clients. Professions honour and protect this trust by setting standards
for their practitioners and expecting them to act ethically. Good standards and ethical
practice provide the best possible condition for clients to discuss freely whatever is causing
them concern and for the counsellor to work therapeutically.
Standards define the essential safe guards and required level of expertise to provide a safe
and effective service to clients. Standards typically define the level of training, continuing
professionals development, supervision, insurance and service delivery in terms of
competence and good conduct. Failing to meet minimum or fundamental standards is a
serious matter. It may result in disciplinary to fitness to practice hearing against individual
counsellors held by theemployers or by professional bodies. Where whole service fail to
meet the minimum or fundamental standard their continued existence is called into question.
THREE LEVEL OF STANDARDS
Fundamental standards of safety and quality
Enhanced quality standards
Developmental standard