Advanced Counseling Skills- Part 2

MCFC/MHC/CC Residency 1

Learning Objectives• From this presentation, you will be given

information to: Utilize the skill of directions, suggestions, and

information giving

utilize skills of interpretation, reframing, and logical

consequences

Describe and address client resistance and reluctance

May 2011 Revised

Skill: Directives, Suggestions and Information Giving• Directives, suggestions and information are

influencing skills that can introduce clients to new possibilities, highlight alternatives and inspire new ways of approaching old problems to help clients make specific changes.

• Directives encourage clients to change the way they think or act. Appropriateness for use of directives is based on the counselor’s clinical judgment, with agreement by client that these are in the client’s best interest.

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Skill: Directives, Suggestions and Information giving

• When using directives the counselor takes professional responsibility for assessing what client change is desirable and empowers and facilitates to client to make the necessary changes.

• These skills work best when positive rapport is established and there is a collaborative relationship between the counselor and client. (Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan, p.90).

• Example: “We’ve talked about A, B and C, but let’s now consider X, Y and Z…”

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Activity

• Your client recently disclosed that he has been the victim of domestic violence. He is fearful of what may happen if he returns home and wants to leave. He has no idea how to coordinate he move and believes that most resources are directed toward aiding women. He wants you “advice” and does not want you to simply refer him to a social worker because he trusts you and it took him a long time to even disclose this information at all.

• What do you say? How do you help him?

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Skill: Logical Consequences

• Logical Consequences may manifest as the negative predictable outcomes of behaviors which can and should be foreseen by the client, but sometimes are not.

• Counselors help clients identify, consider and visualize both positive and negative outcomes and logical consequences of their actions take facilitate taking steps to focusing on avoiding negative consequences and achieving positive results.

• Example: “ You know that if you don’t make some effort to change, things are not going to improve…”

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Skill: Reframing

• Reframing is an influencing skill to help a client forage a healthy and positive perspective about a concern in order to take an effective action. Reframing involves using a different frame of reference towards a problem.

• Example:– Cl: “I am worn out. All I ever do is take care of people. I get breakfast

together every morning. I pack lunches before work and school. I pick out clothes. I get backpacks ready. I work all day long and then have to come home and do housework and fix supper!”

– Co: “I am impressed with your ability to manage so many things at one time.”

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Skill: Interpretation

• Facilitates clarification between account of the client and understanding for the counselor.

• Interpretation by counselor is most effective when supported by evidence from client, other treatment professionals, reports and/ or supervisors.

• Counselors seeking ongoing supervision of interpretation increases effectiveness and accuracy.

• Example:– “Could it be that you are reacting to your children just as your

parents reacted to you when they we upset with your behavior….?”

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Activity

• Your client looks at you, sighs, and holds her face in her lap. She says to you that she understands how silly it is to be so sad about a pet dog dying but she feels devastated because he was so much more than “just the dog”. He was her best friend and accepted her, no matter what. Now she wonders what she will she do.

• How do you interpret this? What might you say?

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Skill: Reluctant and Resistant Clients

Reluctance is passive. It is a client's hesitancy to engage in the work of counseling due to:• Fear of intensity (vulnerability)• Lack of trust • Shame (to uncover, to expose, to wound)• Fear of change (change comes with a price)

Resistance is active. Signs of resistance:• Guarded• Shut-down• Push-back by clients who do not want to participate in

counseling (Name some types of clients who are typically resistant.)

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Skill: Managing Resistance/ReluctanceUnhelpful ways to respond

Poor or negative counselor attitude Can you think of examples?

Unproductive approachesExplore your own resistance and reluctance

Accept it as normal…..and Honor it and work with it Recognize reluctance as avoidance (not about you or client)

Examine your skill/interventionBe flexible

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References

Egan, G. (2010). The skilled helper: A problem management and opportunity development approach to helping (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole (Cengage Learning). ISBN: 978-0-495-60189-0 or 0-495-60189-6 hard.

Egan, G. (2010). Exercises in helping skills: A manual to accompany the skilled helper (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole (Cengage Learning). ISBN: 978-0-495-80632-5 or 0-495-80632-3 soft.

Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. B., & Zalaquett, C. P. (2010). Intentional interviewing and counseling: Facilitating client development in a multicultural society (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.

May 2011 Revised