Question

What does it mean to say that counselling is a process?(write atleast 500 words)

Answer 1

Counselling is considered as a process. Because it is a planned and structured dialogue between a counselor and a client. It can be also considered as a cooperative process. Because in this process a trained professionals helps a person to identify the source of difficulties and how to cope with that situations .Effective counselling goes through a systematic processes. The word process means an identifiable sequence of events taking place over a period of time. Counselling also has different stages that occur in a sequence. The stages of counselling process is discussed below.:

Step 1 : Relationship building :

Creating an atmosphere for mutual understanding between client and professional is the first step. The counsellor establishes rapport with the clients. This make client to feel accepted and encourages more to open up. This stage is also known as preparatory stage. Some of the important concepts in this steps are: Empathy , positive regard , genuineness , Respect etc.

Step 2 : Problem assessment:

Here careful inquiry into clients concerns and strengths. Exploration , assessment and planning is the main activities in this phase. A multidimensional assessment includes assessment of various systems related to clients concern. The assessment includes clients interpersonal ,interpersonal and ecological systems.

Step 3: Problem solving and goal settings.:

This stage includes deciding and implementing a plan of action for the goals . The plan of action should fit to the goals , values and time availability of the client. Client himself can take a good decisions with the support from counselor.

Step 4: Termination and evaluation :

The final step of counselling process involves termination. It is the process of separation of client from counsellor. The counsellor should give great care in facilitating a smooth termination. Evaluation focus on assessing the results achieved against the goals formulated.

In conclusion we can look at a definition given by Rogers in 1952,; "Counselling is a process by which the structure of the self is relaxed in the safety of the clients relationship with the therapist , and previously denied experiences are percieved and then integrated into an altered self.