The Importance of Self-Awareness in Counselling - 2351 Words

------------------------------------------------- HOW DOES A COUNSELLOR DIFFER FROM A FRIEND? Folashade Oloniyo Abstract In this essay, the characteristics of a counsellor and a friend will be expanded upon in order to gain a greater knowledge for deciphering the two. We all have been in situations where we hit a brick wall in our life and are unsure of the next step or the next move to make. We have close friends to whom we can turn and reach out to, but in some situations, are they really our best option for help? Friends are needed for support on many levels, but on others, professional reinforcement may be of greater good. With that said, I challenge you the reader and ask the questions: What is counselling? How does a counsellor†¦show more content†¦I told her that as long as she keeps the door to her life open, he will continue to come back and let himself in. she says its hard, that she’s afraid to let him go and stand alone. My question to her was, ‘are you happy now? He sleeps with you when he needs a fix, but lives with another woman and their child. You can’t tell me that you’re happy. It may hurt for a while, but trust me; you’ll thank God that you did it in the end. I’m sorry about yo ur loss, and please don’t get upset when I say this, but I do believe everything happens for a reason. You should deem this your second chance.’ I could feel she didn’t like my delivery, but I also felt that I was heard. All I can do is hope and pray that my words solidify in the back of her mind.’’ As a counsellor, you have an obligation to remain objective and non-judgmental at whatever is said to you by your client. I can recall feeling slightly judgmental; I thought to myself that my client/friend was making completely unhealthy and unwise decisions. Her actions were so silly and desperate and completely opposite to how I would have acted. I attempted to transfer my views as diplomatically as possible, trying not to cause a wall of defense to be built. In an actual client and counsellor setting, this type of thinking definitely defies objectivity standpoints that counsellors should ensue. Objectivity isShow MoreRelatedThe Importance of Ethics in Counselling904 Words   |  4 Pagesspiritual values. Within the counselling profession however there is a strict ethical framework which must be adhered to. This framework has been developed over the years to insure integrity, confidentiality, and responsibility on the part of the counsellor. In this essay I will discuss briefly the importance of ethics within the counselling profession, I will also outline a few of the major ethical dilemmas that might possibly arise while working in the field of counselling. â€Å"The primary role ofRead MoreUnderstanding Counselling Theories1374 Words   |  6 PagesUnderstanding Counselling Theories 1a The B.A.C.P (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) define counselling as ‘the skilled use of the relationship (between counsellor and client) to help the client develop self-knowledge, self-esteem and the ability to take control of his or her own life’. 1b Counselling is based on a therapeutic relationship, whereby the counsellor using their skills and knowledge to help the client to explore and understand their difficulties. This is done inRead MoreCounselling Skills977 Words   |  4 PagesEvaluate and monitor self in using a counselling approach. People who experience troubles can receive help for their problems in both formal and informal ways. An informal helping relationship can be as simple as a chat with a friend while offering advice and support. The counselling approach differs considerably form formal counselling which this essay will discuss. An informal helping relationship may involve counselling skills such as displaying good eye contact and body language, listeningRead MoreRoles and Functions of the Guidance Counsellor1482 Words   |  6 Pagesand out of the school system. Outside of the school system these professionals focus and interest is more on counselling and as a result are called counsellors. Guidance Counsellors form a part of the helping profession. They are professional helpers who have had graduate level training in the study of human behaviour, have a variety of helping techniques and supervised interships, counselling individuals and groups. Gibson and Mitchell (1999) describes a helping profession as one in which the membersRead Morecounselling theory essay1690 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Unit 2: Introduction to Counselling Skills Theories Theory Essay Written Introduction In this essay I will describe key elements of Psychodynamic theory, Person-Centred theory and Cognitive-Behavioural theory. I will also identify the key differences between the above theories. I shall also describe how counselling theory underpins the use of counselling skills in practise. I will then end with my conclusion. 1.1 Key elements of psychodynamic theory Dr Sigmud Freud (1856-1939), isRead MorePsychodynamic Counselling Overview Essay923 Words   |  4 PagesPsychodynamic Counselling – Overview. 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Some of the most effective spiritual disciplines practiced by counsellors such as prayer, meditation, mindfulness and self-exploration are discussed in theRead MoreRelating to others1574 Words   |  7 Pagescomponent is self awareness. He also suggests that there can be a â€Å"shadow side† to helping, which can adversely affect the outcome of th e helping process. Sanders et al (2009, p.69) examines the importance of a helper’s self-awareness. Without self awareness and knowledge, we all have a tendency to repeat patterns of behaviour unconsciously. Therefore in order to ensure that sessions are client centred and not biased, it is important to achieve an insight and understanding of self. MotivationRead MoreThe Placement Agency I Have Been Working With Since August 2015826 Words   |  4 Pagesworking with since August 2015 is Global Skills. My placement contract entailed, co-facilitating a six week psycho-educational group therapy workshop on returning to work with confidence whose inherent purpose is to educate job seekers on building self-esteem and confidence (Sonia Online, 2015). Global Skills, are a contracted job services provider for the Department of Employment and Department of Social Services Employment Services System which operates in 18 locations across Sydney (Global SkillsRead MoreDeveloping Self-Awareness Is a Requirement for All Counselling Trainees. Why Might This Be so? Discuss the Benefits and Difficulties of This for the Trainee Practicing Skills in Triads.1911 Words   |  8 PagesDeveloping self-awareness as a counsellor is considered â€Å"central to many of the mainstream theoretical approaches† (Mcleod, 2009, p624). I will argue that without the development of self-awareness neither a trainee nor qualified counsellor can meet the core conditions set out in most theoretical approaches to counselling, congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard. I will also argue that counselling trainees need to experience the role of client themselves before they can take others