Counseling is the process that occurs when a client and counselor set aside time in order to explore difficulties which may include the stressful or emotional feelings of the client.
- The act of helping the client to see things more clearly, possibly from a different view-point. This can enable the client to focus on feelings, experiences or behavior, with a goal to facilitate positive change.
- A relationship of trust. Confidentiality is paramount to successful counseling. Professional counselors will usually explain their policy on confidentiality, they may, however, be required by law to disclose information if they believe that there is a risk to life.
- Dr. Sandeep Sisode is one of the best Mental health professional in Aurangabad and counselling therapist in Aurangabad. He is working as Rehabilitation psychologist in Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad.
Counseling and Psychotherapy
Both ‘psychotherapy’ and ‘counseling’ are terms that are used to describe the same process. Both terms relate to overcoming personal difficulties and working towards positive changes. Counseling is a helping approach that highlights the emotional and intellectual experience of a client, how a client is feeling and what they think about the problem they have sought help for. Psychotherapy, however, is based in the psychodynamic approach to counseling - it encourages the client to go back to their earlier experiences and explore how these experiences effect their current ‘problem’.
A psychotherapist, therefore, helps the client to become conscious of experiences which they were previously unaware of. Counselors, however, are less likely to be concerned with the past experiences of the client and are generally trained in a humanistic approach, using techniques from client-centered therapy.
The Role of the Counsellor
First and foremost the counselor is aware that no two people are alike. No two people understand the same language in the same way; their understanding will always be linked to their personal experience of the world. Therefore, during the counseling process, it is important that the counselor does not try to fit clients into his/her idea of what they should be and how they should act.
The role of the counselor is to enable the client to explore many aspects of their life and feelings, by talking openly and freely. Talking in such a way it is rarely possible with family or friends, who are likely to be emotionally involved and have opinions and biases that may be detrimental to the success of the counseling. It is important that the counselor is not emotionally involved with the client and does not become so during counseling sessions. The counselor neither judges, nor offers advice. The counselor gives the client an opportunity to express difficult feelings such as anger, resentment, guilt and fear in a confidential environment.
The counselor may encourage the client to examine parts of their lives that they may have found difficult or impossible to face before. There may be some exploration of early childhood experiences in order to throw some light on why an individual reacts or responds in certain ways in given situations. This is often followed by considering ways in which the client may change such behaviors.
Effective counseling reduces confusion, allowing the client to make effective decisions leading to positive changes in their attitude and/or behavior. Effective counseling is not advice-giving and is not acting on someone else's behalf (these are more the roles of a life coach). The ultimate aim of counseling is to enable the client to make their own choices, reach their own decisions and to act upon them accordingly.
Communication skills are obviously of utmost importance to counselors, these skills including: active listening, clarification, reflection and effective questioning skills.
The counselor will attempt to build a certain amount of rapport with their client, but not to an extent that would allow them to become emotionally involved.
Counselors need to be empathetic, seeing things from the client’s point of view, rather than sympathetic (feeling sorry for their clients). Empathy can help the counselor to ask appropriate questions and lead the client to positive conclusions.