Caption:
norway-mountain-sky-blue-water-people
Summarizing is one of the techniques a counselor must learn
in order to make headway in the therapeutic alliance. It is also an advance
reflecting skill which is used to draw attention to the client’s difficulties, to
identify themes in the client’s story, and to help transition to another topic
while providing a stepping tool for goals to be set (Young, 2017). Summarizing
structures a clients’ presenting story as it progresses (Kuntze et al., 2009).
When we think of a structure, we realize that there are many parts to it. Structures
aren’t conjured from a magical world somewhere; they are built! Comparatively,
if we think of a summary as a structure, then there must be other things this technique
entails.
In order to get a good summary, encapsulating sentences that
reflect the client’s content, the client’s feelings and the client’s underlying
meanings are very vital. You see, it is a build-up from the foundation onto the
finishing portion. As counselors, we first must reflect the client’s content, while
listening for the client’s feelings and then infer meanings for what has been
shared. It is not okay to dwell only on the content and expect to yield results
from the counselling session. Neither would it be profitable to capture the
client’s feelings and hold back from inferring meaning.
Imagine going hiking with a group of people. We know that getting
to the apex of the mountain isn’t easy. However, one step at a time gets you closer
and closer. From each move, your view becomes clearer and clearer. It is like
that for the skill of summarizing, an advance skill that gets better as you
practice the basic skills (Kuntze et al., 2009). As you reflect content,
feelings and meanings, the view becomes clearer and gives you a foundation to
develop a good summary.
Reference
Kuntze, J., van der Molen, H. T., & Born, M. P. (2009).
Increase in counselling communication
skills
after basic and advanced microskills training. British Journal Of
Educational
Psychology, 79(1),
175-188.
Young, M. E (2017). Learning the Art of Helping:
Building Blocks and Techniques
(6thed.).
Boston, MA: Pearson.
The comparison to hiking is such a good one. It is interesting to note that it is something that is gradually being built upon. That summarizing is more than stating back to the client, but also include giving back content and meaning and feelings too. This helps the client to think in ways that he or she might not be able to or puts things in a different perspective. This also lets the client know that the counselor is there with him or her and allows the client to provide clarification if something was miscommunicated. Additionally, after the client has said something out loud, there may be an epiphany of sorts as thoughts or feelings were finally verbalized.
ReplyDeleteYaa, What a great metaphor for summarizing! This is such a critical tool in the therapeutic session. Often, beginning counselors may feel that summarizing is unnecessary or ineffective. But, as you stated, with each move (summary) your view becomes clearer and clearer. The more a counselor hones & refines the skill of summarizing, the more the client will benefit from an enriched dialogue where he/she feels heard, understood, and validated. Additionally, summarizing provides an opportunity for the client to "hear his/her story back," which can often lead to moments of self-awareness.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the comparison to hiking. While hiking is a great experience, the true reward is the top of the Mountain. Similarly, while listening is a great skill, the true reward is relaying that you actually understood the client. I believe that there are many instances where we can assume that we understand exactly what the client is saying. We assume that because we have listened to their difficulties we "get it". However, due to cultural and individual differences there may be some incongruence to our understanding and the client's true meaning. Thus, it is extremely imperative that we implement summarizing throughout each session.
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