1. THE BLACKFORD CENTRE FOR COUNCELLING
DIPLOMA IN COUNCELLING
B45239/TA
SIMONE IRLE – ASSIGNMENT2
CLIENT INFORMATION/BACKGROUNDINFORMATION
NAME: MARK
AGE: 35 YEARS
RESPONSIBILITIES: MARRIED WITH 3 YOUNG SCHOOL CHILDREN
MAIN PROVIDER FINANCIALY – HIGH PAYABLE JOB
REASON FOR SEEKING HELP: NO LONGERHAPPY WITH CURRENT JOB AS ENGINEER INTERESTED IN
CREATIVE WRITING
HOW WILL I HELP THIS CLIENT?
SESSION 1:
During my consultation withMark and hearing his frustrationregarding his Job,I firstly
understoodthe following.
1. He is not stressedabout his jobhe is boredand hisheart is in creative writing.
2. He has a familyand has a high payable job and he is the sole provider.
Even though I like Client– CentredCounsellingandthis methodcomesnaturally to me,I am not
going to use this form of counsellingwithMark.
RATHER: I will use the Psychologyof Abraham Maslow
Why?
1. Mark understandsthat he has a very good job. He has 3 youngchildren and a wife,He is
the sole provider.He doesnot display stresstowards me with his current job. He merely
explainedthat he needsmore challengesandthat he no longer seeshimselfinthisfield.
(Engineer)
2. His self-esteemneedsare metbecause he has a decent payingjob.
3. He is aware of the practical matters regarding hiswife and children.
4. He is married and did not raise any concernsregarding his marriage for example being
unhappy.
5. He has these needsof love and acceptance in hislife.
These are positive notes – I am usingduring counsellingMark.

2. Mark clearlyneedshiscognitive growth and aestheticneedsmet.He wants to develop intellectual
and creative potential.
Surelyhe has levelsofuncertainty regardingthe new fieldofwork he wants to go into.Mark
needsto followcertain guidelineswhile he ispursuinghisdream job. That is for example,totry
somethingnewrather than sticking to secure and safe ways. He needsto listento his own voice
and followhis heart. He needsto be responsible as for example towards hiswife and 3 young
school children.He can pursue his dream job by starting with this part time until he isfully
rewardedfinancially. He could take leave to start findingor getting informationregardingthis
new fieldofwork. This I will ask duringOpen-questionsandnot give advice. Listeningto Mark
while he gets his own answersregarding his concern.
How will I dothis?
I will ask himopen questions.
I will developinmy clientthese characteristicsand behaviours.This will be my main goal for
helpingMark during counselling.
As previouslyexplainedhe isboredwith his current job as an Engineerand is interestedin
Creative writing.
I will not use Gestaltwith Mark as he has a biggerrole of responsibility towardshisfamily and he
is not mentallydepressed oremotional.
Still I will rememberthat
1. The Engineerjobcould just be the presentingproblem and that there are more things
Mark isnot tellingme.Onlytime spendwith Mark during Counsellingwill reveal other
things.If this is the case I will change my counsellingtechnique.
SESSION 2:
During this consultationI have asked mark the followingquestion.
Whywas it that he decidedto became an Engineer?
He explainedthatit was hisDad that told himto study inthis fieldand that it was neverhis
dream. He onlydid it to make his Dad happy.
Daddy issuesneedtobe addressedusingthe Empty chair technique.
In Conclusion– Counsellinghimregardinghis childhoodissueswith hisDad and pursuing his
dreams. Gettingclosure about his Dad. This will helpmark to reach his goal.
Thank you