Lecture 2
- 1. The Counselor : Person and Professional
- 2. THE COUNSELOR AS A THERAPEUTIC PERSON Because counseling is an intimate form of learning, it demands a practioner who is willing to shed stereotyped roles and be a real person in a relationship.
- 3. It is precisely within the context of such a person-to-person relationship that the client experiences growth. If as counselors we hide behind the safety of our professional role, our clients will keep themselves hidden from us. If we become merely technical experts and leave our own reactions, values and self out of our work, the result is likely to be sterile counseling.
- 4. • It is through our own genuineness and our aliveness that we can significantly touch our clients. If we make life-oriented choices, radiate a zest for life, and are real in our relationships with our clients, we can inspire them to develop these internal resources. This does not mean that we are self-actualized persons who have “made it” or that we are without our problems
- 5. Rather, it implies that we are willing to look at our lives and make the changes we want. Because we affirm that changing is worth the risk and the effort, we hold out hope to our clients that they can become their own person and can like the person they are becoming.
- 6. In short, as therapist we serve as models of our client. If we model incongruent behavior, low risk activity, and remain hidden, we can expect our clients to imitate this behavior. If we model realness by engaging in appropriate self-disclosure, our clients will tend to be honest with us in the therapeutic relationship.
- 7. To be sure, counseling can be for better or for worst. Clients can become more of what they are capable of becoming, or they can become less than they might be. In my judgement the degree of aliveness and psychological health of the counselor are crucial variables that determine the outcome.
- 8. • Personal Characteristics of Effective Counselors In thinking about counselors who are therapeutic, I have identified a cluster of personal qualities and characteristics. I do not expect any therapists to fully exemplify all these traits. Rather, for me the willingness to struggle to become a more therapeutic person is the crucial quality.
- 9. This list is intended to stimulate you to examine your ideas of what kind of person can make a significant difference in the lives of others. Effective counselors have an identity. They know who they are , what they are capable of becoming, what they want out of life, and what is essential. They respect and appreciate themselves. They can give help and love out of their own sense of self-worth and strength.
- 10. They are able to recognize and accept their own power. They feel adequate with others and allow others to feel powerful with them. They are open to change. They exhibit a willingness and courage to leave the security of the own if they are not satisfied with what they have.
- 11. They are making choices that shape their lives. They are aware of early decisions they made about themselves, others and the world.
- 12. They feel alive, and their choices are life-oriented. They are committed to living fully rather than settling for mere existence. They are authentic, sincere and honest. They do not hide behind masks, defenses, sterile roles and facades. They have a sense of humor. They are able to put the events of life in perspective. They have not forgotten how to laugh .
- 13. They make mistakes and are willing to admit them. They generally live in the present. They appreciate the influence of culture. They have a sincere interest in the welfare of others. This concern is based on respect, care, trust and real valuing of others. They become deeply involved in their work and derive meaning from it. They can accept the rewards flowing from their work, yet they are not slaves to their work.
- 14. They are able to maintain healthy boundaries. Although they strive to be fully present for their clients, they don’t carry the problems of their clients around with them during leisure hours. They know how to say no, which allows them to keep a balance in their lives.
- 15. Personal Counseling for the Counselor a. Self exploration increases the level of self- awareness. b. Examination of values, needs attitudes and experiences can illuminate what we are getting from helping others. c. Venue to express and explore their concerns over whether they are able to help anyone. d. Personal therapy can be instrumental in healing the healer- so as not to have difficulty in entering the world of a client.
- 16. e. Own therapy help develop patience for the client f. Deal with counter transference ( process of seeing themselves in their clients, over identifying with clients or meeting their needs through their clients)
- 17. Role of Values in Counseling a. Therapeutic interventions rest on core values b. Be aware of the client’s own values and assist individuals find answers congruent to the values c. Counselors communicate their values by the therapeutic goals to which they subscribe and by the procedures they employ to reach these goals. 1. Deal with value conflicts – ethical issues involving sharp differences between your own values and that of the client.
- 18. 1.1 religion 1.2 sexual orientation 1.3 right to die d. Role of Values in Developing Therapeutic Goals General goals of the counselor must be congruent with that of the client’s Begin with exploration of expectation and goals of client Respect and work in client’s world rather than force own values
- 19. Counselors should guard against the tendency to assume either of two extreme positions (absolute beliefs) Client’s deserve honest involvement on the part of the counselor Tell clients early on the specific things that you are against before you get involved professionally Referral is the ethical alternative
- 20. Effective Multicultural Counselor Develop sensitivity to cultural differences if they hope to make interventions that are congruent with the values of client Culture – values and behaviors shared by a group of individuals Competencies in Multicultural Counseling Beliefs and attitudes – respect, accept, and value cultural diversity; traditional training may not be appropriate for all clients and for all problems
- 21. Knowledge – know own racial and cultural heritage; do not impose own values and expectations on clients and avoid stereotyping; historical background, traditions and values, minority family structures, hierarchies, values and beliefs; greater depth and breadth of knowledge of culturally diverse groups, more likely to be effective practitioners Skills and intervention strategies – consistent with life experiences and culture of clients; not one counseling approach; willing to seek out experiences to enhance ability to work with diverse client population; consult regularly with other professionals
- 22. Issues Faced by Beginning Therapists 1. Dealing with your Anxieties 2. Being Yourself and Self-Disclosure 3. Avoiding perfectionism 4. Being Honest about your limitations 5. Understanding Silence 6. Dealing with Demands from Clients 7. Dealing with Clients who lack commitment 8. Tolerating Ambiguity
- 23. 9. Becoming Aware of your Countertransference 10. Developing A sense of Humor 11. Defining Your role as a Counselor 12. Learning to use techniques Appropriately 13. Developing your own counseling style 14. Maintaining your vitality as a person and as professional
- 24. SELF CARE AND MANAGEMENT: AN ESSENTIAL COUNSELOR TOOL Who is the Guidance Counselor and what does he/she do? • a specialized professional • committed to the educational and emotional development of children • delivers a comprehensive school guidance and counseling program • aligns the school counseling program with the mission and vision of the school.
- 25. • conducts staff and community workshops • facilitates Crisis Management and Intervention • educates and upholds school rules and regulations. • collaborates with all members of the school’s community to develop and deliver a data driven program that supports every student’s academic, career and personal/social development • spends the bulk of their time with students who are having trouble with their school work or who are experiencing emotional problems, such as stress and peer pressure.
- 26. What are the opportunities? What are the implications to the counselor as a Person and Professional? What are the threats?
- 27. The Need to Look after Oneself is An Essential Counselor Tool especially in a Rapidly World SELF CARE ASSESSEMENT SURVEY Helping responsibly also means taking care of our own health and wellbeing. We need to pay extra attention to our self and be sure that we are physically and emotionally able to help others.
- 28. Take care of yourself so that you can best care for others. • A main source of stress for helpers is day-to-day job stress. • Examples of task-related stress that can affect Guidance Counselors: long working hours overwhelming responsibilities
- 29. lack of: clear job description resources support Needs, including crisis situations, of people that counselors attend to can often be very challenging – their pain and suffering of may affect the counselor. Need to take precautions to protect counselors from being too stressed.
- 30. Things to Consider: *Remember that you are not responsible for solving all of people’s problems. * Do what you can to help people help themselves. * Apply good self-care principles to yourself after helping. *Be alert to symptoms
- 31. Suggestions that may help in managing day to day stress • Think about what has helped you cope in the past and what you can do to stay strong. • Try to take time to eat, rest and relax, even for short periods. • Try to keep reasonable working hours so you do not become too exhausted. • Talk about your experience of helping especially in a crisis situation- with a supervisor, colleague or someone else you trust.
- 32. Acknowledge what you were able to do to help others, even in small ways. • Learn to reflect on and accept what you did well, what did not go very well, and the limits of what you could do in the circumstances.
- 33. Other Ways of Taking Care of Oneself to Maintain Resiliency: • Adapting Positive Thoughts • Eating healthy foods • Exercising • Breath Control/Meditating
- 34. 1. NURTURE A POSITIVE VIEW OF YOURSELF • An important part of becoming more resilient is to develop positive self-talk Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) • “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” • Say to yourself“I am a good and worthy person regardless of how I perform.”
- 35. EATING HEALTHY FOODS THAT REDUCE STRESS LEVELS Next time you are feeling under pressure or just too close to that breaking point, reach out for stress reducing food items. Complex carbs like oatmeal – boosts serotonin (feel-good brain chemical); helps create a calming effect on the brain Magnesium is a stress buster and a natural muscle relaxant Potassium lowers blood pressure
- 36. L-tryptophan - an amino acid - has a documented calming effect and triggers the release of serotonin Beta-carotene - potent antioxidant that supports the immune system Vitamins B, C & E - boost the immune system. Thiamin (Vitamin B1) Water-soluble vitamin: • helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy • necessary for the heart, muscles and nervous system to function properly.
- 37. Thiamin is also known as an anti-stress vitamin • helps keep the immune system strong • in studies has been associated with improvements in mood, composure, clear-headedness and energy. Best sources: Meat, fish, dried beans, soy products, peas, whole grains and enriched bread and cereals. 4 Omega-3 - anatural anti-inflammatory • contributes to healthy moods and optimal brain functioning • keeps the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline from peaking and protect against heart disease
- 38. Salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, swordfish, soybeans and soybean oil, walnut, soy nuts, shrimps, pumpkin seeds • high in omega-3 fatty acids • A German study in Psychopharmacology found that vitamin C helps reduce stress • and return blood pressure and cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. Citrus Fruits (Oranges, Dalandan, Pomelo, etc.) Guava Broccoli - more vitamin C than orange; contains potent antioxidants that help manage stress Berries – rich in antioxidants that have stress-relieving properties; * excellent source of vitamin C which keeps our cortisol levels in check.
- 39. Blue berries-contain plant nutrients (or anthocyanins) that protect against some chronic diseases, especially those caused by chronic stress. Parsley- rich in vitamins A and C; • contains an astounding amount of stress-busting nutrients like flavonoids, a type of antioxidant found in plants that protect against free-radical damage (which are the result of stress) Bell peppers - high in vitamin C (291% of RDA content) (George Mateljan's The World’s Healthiest Food List) Guyabano- contains sufficient amount of vitamin C,potassium, Dark chocolate contains-antioxidants that lower blood pressure, making us feel calm and more relaxed; prevent cancer and heart disease
- 40. Sweet Potatoes can be particularly stress- reducing Dried Apricots • Apricots are rich in magnesium - a stress-buster and a natural muscle relaxant. Almonds are packed with B and E vitamins (boost your immune system) Walnuts and pistachios help lower blood pressure • Walnuts (high in omega 3, vit B, magnesium) prevent surges in stress hormones and guard against mood swings..(Susan Arthur, a nutrition consultant in Aptos, CA.) Peanuts - good source of magnesium and
- 41. Turkey and other protein rich food Turkey contains the amino acid, L- tryptophan people who eat turkey feel relaxed, Cheeses such as cottage cheese, cheddar, and swiss are rich in l- tryptophan.
- 42. • Other sources: poultry, lean meats, fish. Squash and Pumpkin Seeds, Spinach, and other Dark Green Vegetables (saluyot, kamote tops, kangkong, malunggay, etc.) • powerhouses of vitamins that help replenish our bodies in times of stress. • rich sources of magnesium. Avocados • avocados help lower blood pressure.
- 43. Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that one of the best ways to lower blood pressure is to consume enough potassium (avocados have more than bananas). • Rich in glutathione (“mother of all antioxidants),a substance that prevents the absorption of fats that cause oxidative damage from stress • helps strengthen the immune system • Good source of beta-carotene, vitamin E and the ever- important folate which acts as a mood stabilizer.
- 44. Asparagus – high in folate, a mood-enhancing nutrient that helps ward off stress or a blue mood; contains tryptophan. Chamomile Tea – a calming herbal drink known to be a mild tranquilizer and sleep-inducer Green tea- high in anti-oxidants—making it one of the more beneficial beverage choices you can make. Carrots - potent antioxidant helps support the immune system Coconut H20 - high in potassium and magnesium and is fortified with minerals Nutritional Yeast- has stress-relieving B vitamins and 15 minerals
- 45. EXERCISE - has been correlated with stronger levels of resilience and relieves stress hence, adding a regular exercise habit to your lifestyle can benefit you in more ways than one. • Walking – simplest, effective way of killing stress • Dancing – an amalgamation of physical and mental exercises which help deal with stress in an enjoyable, fun filled way • Sports – not only gets you connected with people but gives you a complete body work out. • Tai Chi – an old martial arts form that entails a combination of meditative movements that connects mind and body. - it reduces stress and bring a sense of calmness in you.
- 46. BREATH CONTROL OR MEDITATION EFFECTS: less bleeding, reduce hardening of arteries, combined with dietary changes slows tumor progression in prostate-cancer patients
- 47. Ethical Issues in Counseling Practice Putting clients’ needs before your own Professional maturity to make an honest appraisal of your behavior and its impact on clients Seek own therapy if areas or struggle surface as old conflicts are reactivated during the therapy Examine other personal needs that can get in the way such as need for control and power, change others, persuade, feel adequate, etc.
- 48. Ethical Decision Making Role of Ethical Codes as a Catalyst for Improving Practice Purposes educate responsibilities of the profession Basis for accountability Basis for reflecting on and improving one’s professional practice Mandatory ethics – counselors act in compliance with minimal standards Aspirational ethics – striving for the optimum standards of conduct Avoidance of being sued – respect for clients and practice within the framework Counselors exercise prudent judgments
- 49. Steps in Making Ethical Decisions Identify problem or dilemma Identify potential issues Look at the relevant ethic codes for general guidance on the matter Know the applicable laws and regulations Seek consultation from more than one source to obtain perspectives Brainstorm various possible courses of action Enumerate consequences of various decisions and reflect on the implications of each course of action Decide on what appears to be the best possible course of action
- 50. Right to Informed Consent Aspects: general goals of counseling, responsibilities of the counselor, responsibilities of the client, limitations and exceptions to confidentiality, legal and ethical parameters, qualifications and background of the practitioner, fees , services, approximate length of the process Educating client starts in the initial counseling session
- 51. Challenge: strike a balance between giving clients too much information and giving them too little Promote active cooperation of clients in their counseling plan Basic information in writing
- 52. Dimensions of Confidentiality a. Legal and ethical issue b.. Although most counselors agree on the essential value of confidentiality, it cannot be considered an absolute c. Confidentiality must be broken when it becomes clear that the clients might do serious harm to themselves or others, child abuse, incest, rape or other crime, abuse of elderly and danger to others, issue in court, client need hospitalization, request that their records be released to themselves or a third party d. Counselors should tell client of any limitations on confidentiality e. Discuss with others for professional purposes only and limited to persons who are clearly related to the case
- 53. Ethical Issues in a Multicultural Perspective Current theories outlived their usefulness Current theories can be expanded to include a multicultural perspective Incorporate an interactive person in the environment focus Congruence of values and behaviors of society with that of the theories used
- 54. Most techniques in counseling and therapy are culture-bound 1.1 Most techniques are derived from and are developed by and for white, male, middle class western clients 1.2 Emphasis on individualism separate existence of self not found in Asians 1.3 Crucial to listen to clients and determine why they are seeking help and how best to help them