In reading through Chapter 6, there was great discussion in exploring the problem. In the reading it discussed how active listening is very important, but the skills of a counselor go far beyond listening. I know personally, when I first began looking into the career path of a counselor my dad said to me, "Do you really want to sit on a couch and just listen to people talk all day?". This chapter shows how there are active listening skills along with skills such as questioning, paraphrasing, and clarifying. Thomas and Sosin (2011) discuss how exploring someone's life takes specific skills including being able to ask the correct questions, show proper body language, summarize what the client has just told you, verbal tracking, and being able to fully understand what the client is discussing.
These skills that a counselor learns to use are crucial for the process of healing to occur. Having the skill of exploration through many different means is another tool to add to the toolbox of a counselor. Like my dad always says, "You can never have to many tools!" ToolBox Picture
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Under Construction
Caption: Caution!
Construction Ahead. The view from the library
Photographer: Myself
Being at Liberty for
six years now, I have seen the campus change dramatically, and there are new
construction projects popping up all the time. Being in the counseling program
for about two years and still having a ways to go, I realized that as
counselors in training we are under construction figuratively speaking. We are
being built and molded into the helpers that will make a difference in the lives
of the clients that come in for guidance.
Chapters 4-6 touched
on the counselor and how he or she is so important to the counseling process
(Thomas & Sosin, 2011, p. 83). Chapter four specifically speak to the
counselor and what makes up the person that is guiding the client through the
challenges in their lives (Thomas & Sosin, 2011, p. 82-119). A great part
of this chapter was dedicated to explaining what a counselor should look like
and what characteristics make up a good counselor (Thomas & Sosin, 2011, p.
99-118). Chapter five covers the counseling relationship and begins to describe
what tools are needed by the in order to bring about change (Thomas &
Sosin, 2011, p. 123-160). This is the part of the book that gets practical for
the growing counselor and details the skills needed. When talking about the
relationship, they found after some research that studies show that the
relationship between counselor and client accounts for about thirty percent of
the change that occurs (Thomas & Sosin, 2011, p. 132). This leads to the
conclusion that the stronger the bond, the greater change is seen throughout
their time together. Chapter six goes into detail about the skills and
techniques discussed in class, so it further cemented the information into my brain
and will help me as we progress through the counseling sessions (Thomas &
Sosin, 2011, p. 161-184). This chapter has helped me to see what I need to
continue doing, add into the session, and eliminate in order for the client to
get the most benefit out of the sessions.
Thomas, J. C., &
Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for
the journey. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group.
HE ORDERS MY STEPS
Retrieved from : http://www.susanscoffeebreak.com/2014/06/17/get-down-get-back-up/
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in
every detail of their lives” (Psalms 37:23, NLT)
It’s so amazing how God can order
your steps. This verse gives me hope that everything that I am doing now is
ordered by God. As I was going through my undergrad and looking for a place to
do my internship, it never occurred to me that it would end me where I am
today. I look back now and all I can say is “God ordered my steps”.
Whiles reading chapter 5, I couldn't
help but cast my mind back on what I was doing wrong back then as a milieu
counselor and also a substance abuse counselor. SOLER was something I was not practicing as I look
back now. For instance, there was a desk between my clients and me with a computer
and other files. I was always writing as the client talk or on the computer. Another
thing I was doing wrong back then was that I was always sitting with my arms
folded. I find myself struggling with my hands now that I am trying to learn
the right way during our practice.
Sosin and Thomas stated that “the
workload of a counselor can take a toll” (pg.110). Working as a substance abuse
counselor can be very stressful but having poor supervision and a caseload of
60 clients could cause the counselor to be burned out and not be effective.
Chapter 6 helped me to learn the
different ways of asking questions, summarizing and paraphrasing during
counseling. In reading this chapter I was surprised to learn that summarizing
is skill that is often neglected y counselors. Overall these three chapters have
helped me to pay more attention to myself as a counselor in training and also
some skills from my past experience that shouldn't be repeated. I sincerely
believe that the Lord who ordered my footsteps to be in this career path will
perfect me in every way to be an effective counselor. Amen!!
Reference
Thomas, J. & Sosin, L. (2011).
Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for the journey.
Counseling & Caregiving
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| Senior woman with her caregiver http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=caregiver&x=27&y=10 |
Blog 2 Chapter 6
The Thomas and
Sosin(2011) text brought up many issues involved in the skills we are learning;
SOLAR, paraphrasing, summarizing, questions, and basically creating the
environment of a safe and gentle counseling environment. I have experienced this type of counseling; I
have also experienced counseling that felt like I was in an inquisition. I want to learn to develop the safe and
gentle environment for my clients. It is
challenging to keep all these things straight while I am practicing with my
fellow students, and nearly every week I fall short. I am pleased to have the opportunity to
practice now, and to have time to learn these most basic skills, before trying
to learn more advanced skills.
As a nurse’s
aide, I was charged with going into a client’s house and following a care plan
in assisting the client to achieve the goals on the plan. This could involve showering, dressing,
helping them dress, etc. Naturally, many
were not happy that I was there and some felt that it was a complete invasion
of their privacy (which it was), and I often found that my initial visit was
spent trying to establish a relationship with the client before attempting to
accomplish our daily goals. Once the
relationship was established, I was able to help them, but I was very careful
to allow them to set the pace, and I let them know from the beginning that they
have the right to refuse any or all assistance.
Once we established that they were in charge, everything proceeded much
more smoothly, which is not to say that I never had challenges. I heard a lot of stories about other aides
who did not share my perspective and were rough and demanding with the clients. I hope to be able to remember the skills I learned
with my health care patients and use them with my counseling clients. Although a very different field, I sense many
of the same challenges in counseling.
Reference
Thomas, J. & Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic
expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for the journey.
One Step at a Time
Caption: One Step at a Time
“Tightrope
Walking,” ©2007 Wiros, used under a Creative Commons Attirubution-Share Alike 2.0
generic License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en. Retrieved
from : http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tightrope_walking.jpg
Throughout the designated chapter readings, Thomas and Sosin
(2011) make several great points discussing how a counselor can help his or her
effectiveness. Some things that stood out to me are the ways that counselors
can take charge of the environment they create. One way to do this is to create
a trust worthy environment. The authors state that “When you are able to communicate
authentically, an atmosphere is created which in turn prompts the counselee to
behave authentically” (p. 103). Thomas and Sosin continue to discuss how people
tend to have different “masks” (p. 104) and the important role these play in
either helping or hindering the client’s productivity. In the margin of the
book, I wrote a side note saying that balance is key. A counselor must know
when it is an appropriate time to reveal parts of himself or herself in
relation to helping the client. Furthermore, the authors mention the importance
of a counselor being aware of his or her self. Thomas and Sosin state that
“Counselors who fear their own emotions and the emotions of others will
eventually steer members away from potentially productive topics” (p. 98) and
that “…I had unresolved issues that prompted my behaviors” (p. 105). I think
this is one reason why many counseling classes suggest future counselors attend
personal counseling before becoming a counselor. Therefore, my overall theme
for this post is that counseling is a process that begins with the counselor,
not necessarily the counselee. The counselor must first be responsible to take
care of the things he or she needs to in order to create the best environment
for future clients, which is why I call this blog “One Step at a Time”. Because
this is a process that involves many steps and takes time.
Reference
Thomas, J. C., & Sosin, L. (2011).Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the
Christian counselor for the journey. B&H Publishing.
Following His Direction
Following His Direction
Caption: An arrow on a road.
http://www.freeimages.com/photo/1443862?forcedownload=1
Psalm 25:4-5: Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me
Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my
salvation; For You I wait all the day. (NASV)
There are many reasons why patients seek
counseling, they are confused, they need help coping with a situation, or they
are depressed and need help getting out depression as well as many other
reasons. However, in all these various reasons, there is a common factor, they
are looking for some type of direction. As Christian Counselors, we are here to
help promote self-autonomy and one way we accomplish that is through the use of
various skills, like paraphrasing, summary, questions, and many other
techniques. These techniques often
help the counselees reflect upon the situation and find direction themselves.
As Christian Counselors, we must be vigilant in our words and techniques use,
as to not lead people astray. It is important to remember that we are also
seeking the direction from the Lord when we are counseling, because it is not
us who is giving direction, because we are just a vessel for the Lord.
I
believe that God has His own techniques when it comes to giving His children direction.
It is most likely different for every person, as He tailors to our specific
need. Nonetheless, He is willing
to guide us, if we just listen to His ever-calming voice, and follow the
direction He puts us on. Job 6:24 it says “Teach me, and I will be silent; And
show me how I have erred.” (NASV),
letting us know that if we are only open our hearts and listen, He will direct
us to the path that He has for us.
The Journey is just beginning!
The journey for the baby loggerhead turtle is perilous and
full of the unknown, but the ultimate goal is survival. Very much like our path
to wholeness and health. Life is always full of the unknown and always full of
danger. Unlike some other adventures life can also be a joyous and peaceful
venture.
The counselor must be a person that can discern what the
counselee is going through and provide a road to emotional health. The
Christian counselor can not only shore up the foundation of a person’s life but
can point them in the direction of Jesus the ultimate healer. We must have
knowledge to become a competent counselor but without counselor skills and much
practice it would be like knowing how to play gold without actually doing it.
The saying “practice makes perfect”, is somewhat true but maybe we could say
practice makes a person competent. God has brought us to this place and for me
the journey has been challenging to say the least, and in some ways it really
is only beginning.
When we counsel a valuable person, sometimes it may feel
like we are moving as slow as a turtle. The key is we are still moving forward
and that brings freedom and understanding. What the ccounselsays is important
but what is not being said may even be the key to why this individual is
struggling. Molded in God’s image means we are a relational people. (Therapeutic
Expedition, 2011). The competent counselor will be an individual that is an
expert in conversation both verbal and non-verbal.
Counselors help our counselee’s to heal from the wounds of
the past. Learning why they are here and their purpose can make all the
difference in the world, in learning truth versus expectations of others. Open
ended and closed questions are very useful in the process of discovery. Direct
and indirect questions can keep the conversation moving forward and that after
all does lead to truth and understanding. Learning skills to help is why we are
in school and are very important skills in the process of discovering the
truth.
Reference
Thomas, J., & Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic
expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for the journey. Nashville,
Tenn.: B & H Publishing Group.
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