Caption: Lending a Helping
Hand
URL: https://pixabay.com/photo-1807524/
The art of
helping can be exhibited in different areas of our lives. Helping is simply accomplished when we serve
others, whether it is expressed in the form of physical, financial,
psychological, or spiritual help (Young, 2017).
We do not have to possess a therapeutic relationship in order to
accomplish the task of helping another person.
Although there is not a specific personality type required to be a
helper, there are different characteristics, attitudes, and beliefs that appear
to be demonstrated in effective helpers.
As future counselors, we are entering a people helping professional
role.
According
to Young (2017), holding a positive view of mankind, having stable mental
health, maintaining good self-care skills, being intelligent and psychologically
minded, expressing some form of creativity, and possessing courage contributes
to the characteristics of a helper. Lefevor
and Flowers (2016) investigated the relationship between having the trait of
kindness and demonstrating helping behavior.
There appeared to be a higher correlation with kindness and helping
behavior than agreeableness and helping behavior. As a character trait, kindness can be used as
a predictor for observed helping behavior (2016).
Hill and
Kellems (2002) conducted a study measuring client’s perceptions of the helping
skills exercised by beginning helpers. Client
awareness of the helping skills and the therapeutic relationship played a role
in session outcomes. Based on the
results of this study, we see how helping skills positively contribute to the
helping journey.
The
developmental process of becoming a helper is best described as a journey. As with any journey, there will certainly be
challenges, but there will also be successes.
As future people helping professionals, we need to recognize our
limitations and view them as opportunities for growth and change. Maintaining this type of positive outlook
allows us to handle roadblocks we may face more effectively.
References
Hill, C. E., & Kellems, I. S. (2002).
Development and use of the helping skills measure to assess client
perceptions of the effects of training and of helping skills in sessions. Journal
of Counseling Psychology, 49(2), 264-272. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.49.2.264
Lefevor, G. T. & Flowers, B. J. (2016).
Traits, situational factors, and their interactions as explanations of helping
behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 92, 159-163. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2015.12.042
Young, M. (2017). Learning
the art of helping, 6th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Kaitlin,
ReplyDeleteHelping is an art. I couldn't help but smile as I read the description of a helper from Young that you quoted above. Note the descriptors, "positive view of mankind, having stable mental health, maintaining good self-care skills, being intelligent and psychologically minded, expressing some form of creativity, and possessing courage...." Does this remind you of any particular Helper? Let's add in the comments by Lefevor and Flowers above...a helper has the trait of kindness. These describe the absolute Helper...God. How wonderful to discover that the traits that identify what a helper is are the very traits that reflect the character of God.
I too was thinking of God and His character reading this post. It is incredible how reflective this profession is with the character of God. Additionally, I think it is important to mention that kindness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. I would also venture to say that the Fruit of the Spirit collectively have a great deal to do with having a positive view of mankind, stable mental health, and food self-care skills. God is also seen as our helper and provider, and I think it is really amazing how He allows people and calls people to help His people.
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