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| Freight train moving From: www.allposters.com |
I enjoyed reading the chapters and found the information
useful and was able to connect the content with other classes that I am taking.
I reflect on the importance of training and competence in counseling for the
counselor. The counselor needs to be equipped with tools in terms of skills and
knowledge that will be beneficial in moving the counseling session forward. I
reflect on the collaborative relationship of the helping process the counselor
should provide a welcoming atmosphere from the initial contact with the client.
At this point, the counselor demystifies counselling. Thomas and Sosin (2011)
indicate that some counselees may have a dark mysterious undertaking about the
counseling process. The counselor works on demystifying the process and
clarifies any doubts that the client may have. The client may be hopeless and
not be able to have any sense of hope for current problems, the future or even
with the counselling process. The counselor helps the client realize the
benefits of counselling and how it can help. For the Christian counselor, the
Bible serves as reminder of the faithful word of God. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
reminds us of God's faithfulness in periods of uncertainty. “For I know the
plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to
give you a future and a hope.
The counselor also takes the opportunity to reinforce the
benefits of counseling and how the process may be helpful to the client.
According to Thomas and Sosin (2011) of great importance is the ability of the
counselor to be part of the client’s story the counselor listens to the client’s
story and becomes an editor rather than the main character.
The counselee needs to be aware of the process and travel
together with the counselor in the journey towards recovery. Like a train, they
both have to stay on the same track . Investment in collaborative relationship from
the initial phase of the counseling process yields rewards later in other
phases of the process. A trusting relationship allows the counselor to get more
from the clients’ story. The client benefits from the counselors’ knowledge and
skill in picking out the important pieces of information that may even seem
irrelevant to the client. Thomas and Sosin (2011) encourage counselors to be
patient and compassionate with the task of connecting with the client.
Reference
Dear Ruth,
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a clear view of how to relate the text to the very real process of counseling that we are trying to learning about. Your metaphor of the counseling relationship as a train moving is most relevant. My mind starts to wonder what track. Will we choose to be on the client’s track? In my mind I see the train as the client’s and we as passengers with blessed knowledge and a daunting responsibility to work with the client on directing that train as they learn to see fit. Your analogy reminds me of what John spoke on in class, as sometimes feeling as though we are passengers in a car hurtling down a ravine. My prayer is that as we come into this field of counseling, the counseling track and the client’s track will merge as one, and that we will be granted the wisdom to notice when that is not the case.