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Differences:
Professor Paul S Morgan-Ayres makes the further point that, for him at least,
counselling is more suited to clients that are open to speaking. Psychotherapy
is better for those who find it difficult to open up, so that the psychotherapist
takes more of an active role in guiding them. He notes: As the client becomes
more able and used to talking, the process may change in to a more client
centred approach. Counselling, according to Morgan-Ayers, is a process in
3
COSCA (2004) Counselling and Psychotherapy: COSCAS Description Stirling: Cosca
4
COSCA (2004) Counselling and Psychotherapy: COSCAs Description Stirling: Cosca
which the therapist is there as a tour guide for the client, refocusing them in a
process that they are otherwise quite good at exploring themselves. Therefore
the counsellor speaks very little and gives the client plenty of space to offload
and talk themselves into self-knowledge.5
Individuals enter into counselling for numerous reasons, ranging from a desire
for self-improvement and growth to contending with severe mental and
physical illness. Counselling and can be of great help to all of these
individuals. Below are listed some reasons people seek counselling. It is
certainly not exhaustive.
The reasons that people enter counselling are as diverse as the people who
seek treatment.
Listed above are some of the many reasons people come for counselling and
the benefits of counselling are becoming more recognised. Yet, there is still
an element of stigma attached to it in some circles and unhelpful comments
from prejudiced or unenlightened others such as, counselling is a waste of
5
Morgan-Ayres
P. Prof., found at Internet URL:http://www.hpno-
analysis.co.uk/psychotherapy-analysis-counselling.htm.Accessed:06/02/2012
time and money, they do more harm than good, its for the self-indulgent,
why cant you pull yourself together?6
6
Sutton, rd
J & Stewart, W (2008)
Learning to Counsel. 3 Edition Oxford: How To Books.
7
(Carl Jung (1875 1961)
8
Mcleod (2004:53) & Rogers (1975:2-10)
self and this can only be done by a person who is secure enough in himself
that he knows he will not get lost in what may turn out to be the strange or
bizarre world of the other and can comfortably return to his own world when
he wishes
Counselling involves an interpersonal relationship and the counsellor must be
patient in building, developing and fostering that relationship. Someone who is
too busy or cannot establish and develop a professional interpersonal
relationship is not ready to practice.
Deffenbacher (1985) outlined what these activities are:
Good.therapist work to build rapport, lessen interpersonal anxiety in the
relationship, increase trust, and build an interpersonal climate in which clients
can openly discuss and work on their problems. Their clients need to perceive
that they have a caring, positive, hopeful collaborator in understanding and
making changes in their world. Clients need to feel cared for, attended to,
understood, and genuinely worked with if successful therapy is to continue
(p. 262) 9
Another very important aspect of being ready to practice is that the counsellor
has undergone some training and has a good knowledge of some the
concepts and skills of counselling. This would help to ensure that the
counselee receives a good service. The training should include a variety of
theories based around helping the client to explore their feelings, emotions
and thoughts. Ideally it would be an advantage for both the counsellor and
client if they had some sort of supervision.
Counselling is not for the novice but for people who can demonstrate
empathy, sincerity, patience, a good listener, genuineness, respect and being
non-judgemental. To be genuine means to be yourself; to be able to accept
the good parts about yourself and be able to deal with your own
disappointments. Respect is also important, it means you value people for all
their uniqueness and does not demean anyone by our words or actions. The
9
Deffenbacher,J.
L. (1985) A cognitive-behavioural response and a modest proposal.
Counselling Psychologist, 13, 261 -269
person who can exhibit some or all of these skills or characteristics is
someone who is ready to practice.
Question 4: Write a reflective log on where you feel you are now in
regards to working towards becoming a counsellor. What knowledge
and skills do you already possess and what do you need to develop?
My family and friends told me that I am a very good listener. I have the ability
of being able to not only to listen to the words that are spoken but also I can
hear the feelings behind the spoken word. I demonstrate genuine empathy,
that is trying to understand how it feels to be in someone elses shoes and
showing that I understand. I like people to treat me as I treat them. This
emanates from my personal belief in a living and loving God. A God who has
looked beyond my faults and saw my needs. I never judge anyone but
always endeavour to seek the best in people. Over the years of meeting and
dealing with people I have developed a non-judgmental approach, not being
shocked by what someone may say but accept the person and their feelings.
I have also studied and completed courses in secular counselling and have
gained further knowledge and insight in different techniques and theories. For
example Client Centred Approach, Maslows Hierarchy of Needs,
Transactional Analysis, Person-Centred Counselling and Psychodynamic
Counselling. I am a better and a more effective listener. I can deal
professionally with sensitive and confidential issues. I am never afraid or see
it as a weakness to refer clients for more specialised counselling if I cant deal
with particular concern that a client may have.
10
Egan, th
G. (1990) The Skilled Helper: A Systematic Approach to Effective Helping (4 edn).
Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
11
Covey, S. ( 2004) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Kingsway. London
My desire and motivation was to possess all three. With this habit in mind,
that is why I have enrolled on Level-4 Counselling and Psychotherapy course
with My Distance Learning College. This will give me even further
qualifications and may be a stepping stone of having approved status of
becoming a professional counsellor. I am looking forward to the challenge of
more in depth learning and being able to use my acquired skills in my
counselling sessions. I am beginning with the end in mind, by this I mean my
vision is to be the best I can be. I have a sense of mission and the essence of
my own proactivity. I also have the vision and values which direct my life.
If I can help someone as I pass along then my living wont be in vain.
References
Morgan-AyresP.Prof.,found-at-Internet:URL:http://www.hpno-
analysis.co.uk/psychotherapy-analysis-counselling.htm.Accessed:06/02/2012
Sutton, J & Stewart, W (2008)
Learning to Counsel. 3rd Edition Oxford: How
To Books.