The Helping Process Essay
Stages in the helping process
Common Elements
We draw on contrasting theories of human behaviour
Use different models of practice
Implement diverse interventions
Serve wide varying clients
Goal : Assist clients in coping effectively with problems and improving quality of lives
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A PROCESS
A set of activities that begins, develops, and ends.
each with main areas of focus and tasks to accomplish
Aimed at reducing concerns
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Counselling stages
Rapport and Relationship Building
Assessment / Problem Definition
Goal-setting
Initiating Interventions
Termination
Hackney & Cormier, 2001, pp. 23-42.
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Stage One Relationship Building
Laying foundations for trust
Establishing the structure and form the relationship will take - voluntary vs involuntary
Articulating roles (ie counsellor and client )
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Stage One Relationship Building
Develop rapport and create relationship:
-introduce self
-use person’s name
-be clear your role
-be clear about the purpose
-active listening
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Regardless of therapeutic orientation – this holds true
The relationship is an ongoing one and rapport is built over a number of meetings in some circumstances
Stage One Relationship Building
Originally proposed by Rogers (1957)
Empathetic understanding
Unconditional positive regard
Congruence- agreement
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Regardless of therapeutic orientation – this holds true. “ Being present to the other “
Core Conditions
Empathy - understanding of the others experience
Unconditional positive regard – see the person of worth; be non-judgmental
Congruence - Genuine self in client interaction; spontaneity
Nystul (2003)
Stage One Relationship Building
Be clear about the purpose of the interview
Establish your credentials –who are you?
Attend to your own non-verbal behaviors, - eye contact
Stage One Relationship Building
Speak clearly and calmly in friendly manner
Approach the person with a non-judgmental attitude
Listen to what is said and not said
Don’t interrupt
Stage One Relationship Building
Avoid jargon
Listen to the persons world view
Normalise the person’s anxiety- “It seems hard for you to talk about this.”
Counseling Process Structure
Rapport and Relationship Building
Assessment / Problem Definition
Goal-setting
Initiating Interventions
Termination
Hackney & Cormier, 2001, pp. 23-42.
Stage Two Assessment
The presenting problem – what kind of change is sought
What’s the worker’s role?
See problem in the context of the person’s world
Focus - Presenting problem and context
Basic Questions
What concerns brought you here?
Why now?
What do you want to talk about today?
How is it impacting your daily life?
Detailed Inquiry
Clarify stressors
Elicit
coping skills,
social support,
and resources
Clarify life function
work
family
health
intimacy
Sperry, Carlson, & Kjos, 2003, Table 4.3, pp. 67-68.
There will be core questions asked of a person using a service that are designed to elicit specific information. Including; age, living arrangements, family relationships etc
Think about what a midwife/health practitioner might be required to ask ?
What type of questions might a drug and alcohol counsellor be required to ask?
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Basic Questions
How have you tried to make change?
What is your / my role in your treatment?
Detailed Inquiry
Probe
Efforts to change
Efforts vs. successes
Clarify client explanatory model
Identify treatment /solution options
Specify readiness for change
Focus
Sperry, Carlson, & Kjos, 2003, Table 4.3, pp. 67-68.
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Basic Questions
What else do you think I should know?
Do you have any questions for me?
Detailed Inquiry
Use an open-ended query
Allows the client to add information.
Creates sense of reciprocal and collaborative relationship.
Focus - Wind down
Sperry, Carlson, & Kjos, 2003, Table 4.3, pp. 67-68.
Rapport and Relationship Building
Assessment / Problem Definition
Goal-setting
Initiating Interventions
Termination
Counselling Process Structure
Hackney & Cormier, 2001, pp. 23-42.
Rapport and Relationship Building
Assessment / Problem Definition
Goal-setting
Initiating Interventions
Termination
Counseling Process Structure
Hackney & Cormier, 2001, pp. 23-42.
Stage Three Goal Setting
The person says what they want
takes the ‘driver’s seat’-ownership and motivation
Clear goals help create ownership and a roadmap
Indicates how well counselling is working
Prevents dependent relationships
Determines the selection of interventions
Goals can change, or evolve
Goal setting
Hackney & Cormier, 2001, pp. 23-42.
Goal Setting
Hackney & Cormier, 2001, pp. 23-42.
Goals are mutually agreed by both worker and client;
‘I want to be happy in my relationship.’
‘I want to stop drinking alcohol’
‘I want to be able to enjoy my children and not get angry’
Goals should be clear and specific. The particular approach being used in counselling will influence how conversations occur around goals.
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Rapport and Relationship Building
Assessment / Problem Definition
Goal-setting
Initiating Interventions
Termination
Counselling Process Structure
Hackney & Cormier, 2001, pp. 23-42.
Stage Four Initiating intervention
Offer perspectives on new ways to approach issue
“How will we accomplish this goal?”
Must be related to the problem
Stage Four Intervention
In a good treatment plan…
-goals are clearly defined and reachable
-can be adapted with time
-positive and action-oriented
- client is motivated to follow through
Rapport and Relationship Building
Assessment / Problem Definition
Goal-setting
Initiating Interventions
Termination
Counseling Process Structure
Hackney & Cormier, 2001, pp. 23-42.
Stage Five Termination/ending
Be mindful of avoiding dependency
Preparation for ending begins at the beginning
Plan for possibility of future need
Termination considered also when counseling is not helpful
Termination
Identify a date in advance
Review progress, create closure in client-counsellor relationship
Plan for future
A means of empowering client
Sperry, Carlson, & Kjos, 2003, pp. 176-179.
No clear cut ending, but no need to continue beyond usefulness
A signal the counselor and the client that the work is accomplished
May take the same number of sessions as rapport building.
Termination
Suggested termination, with client agreement
Imposed termination
Situational termination
Early termination, clients just don’t return.
Types of Termination
Hackney & Cormier, 2001, pp. 23-42.
Next Week…
Skills in Counselling