Counseling and Clinical Theories

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Counseling and Clinical Theories
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• Why Counseling?

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• To be a counselor means dedicating oneself to
  the resolution of conflicts that are often
  irreconcilable, solving problems that have no
  right answers, and mediating disputes among
  parties who enjoy fighting.

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Counseling is

• A profession
• An activity
• A relationship
• Requires care, honesty, acceptance, and openness
• Multidimensional
• A process

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Counseling is

• Helping people to articulate why they are seeking
  help
• Formulating goals and expectations for treatment
• Teaching clients how to get the most from the
  counseling experience
• Developing a high degree of trust and favorable
  expectations for change
• Diagnosing those concerns and dysfunctional areas
  in need of upgrading
• Exploring the clients world, including past and
  present functioning
• Facilitating the release of pent-up frustrations
  and conflicts
• Supporting and accepting the client as a person
  while selectively reinforcing those behaviors
  that are most fully functioning

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Counseling is

• Confronting inconsistencies in the clients
  thoughts, language, and behavior
• Challenging assumptions that are inappropriate,
  self-destructive, or irrational
• Uncovering hidden and unconscious motives behind
  actions
• Encouraging people to accept more responsibility
  for their choices and actions
• Helping clients to develop more options for their
  lives and narrow alternatives to those that are
  most suitable
• Providing constructive feedback
• Structuring opportunities for practicing new ways
  of acting and being
• Facilitating greater independence in the client
  so that counseling ends in the most efficient
  period of time

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Counseling is

• Exhilarating at times, crushingly sad at others
• Fulfilling and disappointing, etc.
• A learning process
• Our theory of counseling
• What is helpful to the client
• About our selves

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To Be a Counselor

• Committed
• Be able to ride the wave of emotions
• Neutral
• Advocate for your client
• Must let them make their own decisions
• Personal values and beliefs

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To Be a Counselor

• Focus entirely on the client
• Teach through self discovery
• See your client as worthy of help