Importance Of Professional Counselling

Table of Contents

Introduction:
The following essay will look at what it takes to be an effective and professional counsellor through discussing what counselling is, its processes, the setting in which it is undertaken, the characteristics, necessary skills needed and the ethics involved in counselling.
Definition of Counselling/ Helping Profession.
According to the Counselling Psychology Study Guide (page 2), counselling is a thorough use of the bond between the helper and the client in order to create alterations in their cognitive processes, emotions and acts of that client.
Counselling is the use of skills and training to create a relationship with ones client in order to allow for the client to form insight into their lives, accepting their feelings as their own and allowing for growth to occur. It is the aim of the helper to create a state in which the client can perform more contently and with their own self.
Helping consists of four parts, those being; (1) an individual seeking help, (2) an individual that is willing to help those seeking help, (3) the helping individual is competent and skilled enough to train, and (4) an environment that is conducive for help to be given and received.
Counselling is collaboration of steps that is aimed to help clients cope better and learn to deal with situations that they are facing. This includes teaching the client to focus on their thoughts and emotions, and to teach them to make positive choices and changes. It is a method for helping individuals to lessen primary anguish ensuing from a challenging situation and guaranteeing long-term constructive handling of stressful situations.
Process of Counselling/ Helping Profession.
The following steps of the Counsellin...

... middle of paper ...

...search, theory and practice (4th ed). Hove: Routledge.
Hayes, J. (2002). Interpersonal skills at work (2nd ed). Hove: Routledge.
Motus, G. W. (2009). Introduction to Basic Counselling and Communication Skills: IOM Training Manual For Migrant Community Leaders and Community Workers. Geneva: International Organization for Migration.
Najavits, L., &Strupp, H. (1994). Differences in the Effectiveness of Psychodynamic Therapists: A process-outcome study. Psychotherapy, 31, 114-123.
Reinkraunt, R., Motulsky, L. S., & Ritchie, J. (2009). Developing a Competent Practioner. Use of Self in Counseling Psychology Training, 16, 1, 7-29.
Sheppard. (n.d.). What is Counselling. A search for a definition. Notebook on Ethics, Legal Issue, and Standards for Counsellors.
Shepherd, T., Braham, J., & Elston, C. (2010, January 13). Learning and Interpersonal Skills Review. pp. 1-2.