Week 2

Mock Counseling Session: Week One 1

Department of Counseling, Lamar University

CNDV 5310: Counseling Skills

Dr. Sacky Holdiness

August 23, 2023

Mock Counseling Session: Week One 2

Strengths and Areas for Improvement

In this week’s counseling skills video interview, my mock client was a 46-year-old woman that

came to me voluntarily to discuss her troubles about her job and financial adjustments. During the

session, it was my objective to center on the set counseling skills of the week. Even with this being my

first counseling session I was confident that I would be able to demonstrate some of my abilities as I break

ground in my first counseling session. Once I completed the video and watched it, I became aware of the

things that I did good on and things that I can enhance on. Overall, it was an exceptional chance to

practice and discover new things.

One area I can improve in is being mindful and careful not to give advice as much as I want to,

especially when I have experienced what my client is experiencing. Sometimes it hard not to put myself in

their shoes or piggyback off what they say with my own personal feelings and actions. For example, when

talking to Katrina about losing her job and that alone affecting her personally and financially. I explained

to her how to receive this new change and how to only take accountability of her actions and not others.

Focusing on that problem first will help her accept what is happening now in her life. Another area I have

seen for improvement is rambling as well as not having the words to say. I tend to ramble when I am

trying to explain my point of view. I noticed myself repeating words and speaking too fast to where I had

to stop and slow my brain down.

One strength during my mock counseling session was my body language. I realized during the

video that I matched the client’s body language. I had an open posture, which would make the client

more comfortable and relaxed (Young, 2017). I noticed that she began to engage more into the

conversation when I leaned in to talk to her. Another strength I seen that I had in the video was eye

contact which showed empathetic listening. I wanted my client to know that I was actively listening to her

and engaging in what she was expressing during the session.

Mock Counseling Session: Week One 3

My goals for development in this class are to become a confident and versatile professional

mental health counselor, and I desire to become more secure during counseling sessions with clients.

Another important goal is to develop different strategies and techniques that can help guide me during

my counseling sessions. I also would brainstorm

Although this was my first session and me and the client are still getting to know each other, what

hardships the client is battling, and what goals the client is trying to accomplish. I utilized cognitive

behavior techniques based on the stressors my client has been experiencing. This therapy technique is

also a goal-oriented approach which focuses on particular issues. It was also used to help my client learn

coping mechanisms to utilize during stressful situations. With self-examination and recognition of

negative cycles the client can acknowledge and change their thoughts. During the session, my client

vocalized how she wants to feel less frustrated and work on life-balancing skills.

Utilizing Theory

As Rogers (1957) stated, there are six core conditions that must be present to have successful

changes in behavior for the client. The first core condition consists of psychological contact between two

people. Communication must be transparent and incisive to use basic skills such as positive body

language, eye contact, and minimal encouragers to ensure the client is actively listening to them.

Empathy is another core condition that comes naturally for me; unconditional positive regard allows for

the therapist to be accepting of their clients in each aspect of the client’s experience (Rogers, 1957).

Incongruent clients and congruent therapists can assist and help the client control her stress level to

maintain a healthy balance. Unconditional positive regard between therapist and client, letting the client

know that they can be vulnerable in a non-judgmental area. It is important to make sure that we are not

making the client feel worthless or that we are judging them. I informed my client that this was a safe

zone and that she could be completely honest and open in our sessions. The last core condition is

Mock Counseling Session: Week One 4

achieving effective communication with the client, with this core condition I know I could have done

better with this one by exercising it more. I know this is the first session, so I plan to work on this core

while building trust with the client.

Verbal Informed Consent Statement

Hi Katrina, it is nice to meet you today. Before we get into the session, I wanted to share some

things with you about who I am and my role as a counselor. My name is Ms. Pettaway and a part of my

line of work as an LPC is to talk with individuals and families like yourself that come across hardships in life

and need to deal with stressors that affect their everyday lives. If you ever have any issues or concerns, I

am available to assist you on working through these tough times. What we discuss is mostly confidential.

However, for example, If I sense that you may be at risk of harming yourself or others, I will have to report

this because this is a situation that can be perilous and would not be considered confidential. Is that

okay? Do you understand or have any questions or concerns about anything I just stated? Let us continue

by me asking, what brings you in today?

Mock Counseling Session: Week One 5

References

Rogers, C.R. (1957) The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change.

Journal of Consulting Psychology, 21, 95-103.