2-2 Journal: Counseling Behaviors and the Attitudes Behind Them
HSE- 352 Substance Use Counsel Theory
Southern New Hampshire University
Abbie Craig
From an early age, I learned that every person is unique. That people might freely express
themselves. Even if someone was not the friendliest to me, I was brought up to appreciate and
treat them with kindness. From my upbringing, I learned that respect is mutual. No matter what
someone's race, ethnicity, or religion, my parents instilled in me the importance of being polite. I
have also made sure that this is ingrained in my children. When I think about how I was raised, it
helps me a lot at work. I find it helpful to be empathetic toward my customers and to put myself
in their shoes. For clients to trust and feel supported by their counselor, it is crucial for
counselors to demonstrate this quality. As the counselor demonstrates genuine interest in the
clients' emotional expressions, the confidentiality of their sessions will increase. My counselor
asked open-ended inquiries to encourage me to talk about my concerns in treatment. There was a
counselor I went to who treated me disrespectfully and who was not interested in what I had to
say about my life. Without a counselor to assist you heal from your past, you will be unable to go
forward in your life.
Openness, affirming, active listening, and summarizing are all referred to as OARS.
Integrating OARS with my clients is essential during sessions or group interactions.
Demonstrating openness entails being there for the client and positioning oneself to convey
receptiveness, thereby fostering a sense of comfort for them. Affirming the client demonstrates
their strengths, even when they are unaware of them. Facilitating the client's recognition of their
strengths fosters openness and enhances their comfort during meetings with you. One way to
demonstrate care and interest in your client's conversation is to practice introspective listening.
The client desires to feel acknowledged and valued. If you are engaged in a session while using
your computer or frequently checking your phone, participants are unlikely to feel at ease and
share their narratives with you. Summarizing the client's input demonstrates that you were
genuinely attentive to their issues and any information they provided. Adhering to OARS fosters
an excellent client-counselor connection. The client will feel at ease and trust their counselor,
allowing the substantive work to commence.
It is essential to leave one's personal biases and opinions at home when one embarks on a
professional career, regardless of the field. A client of mine should not think that I am passing
judgment on them for selfish reasons. I contend that every individual possesses some form of
prejudice in their existence. I shall utilize one of my previous clients as an illustration. My
attitude is an issue, but I do my best to leave it at home when I come to work. It is not primarily
my demeanor, but rather my facial emotions at times. The acronym RBF stands for "resting
b**ch face," according to some. At times, I inadvertently convey an expression of disinterest and
annoyance, despite not actually feeling that way. I am enthusiastic about assisting others when
necessary; but some have previously shunned me due to my resting facial expression. Greeting
each client as I travel around the building9has helped me feel more like a personable person who
is happy to lend a hand. With these9adjustments, I think, would help me become an even better
counselor. The clients who enter my office should experience an improvement in their self-
esteem upon the conclusion of our session. I recognize the potential for development and am
committed to enhancing my skills to better assist individuals grappling with addiction.
