This document defines counseling and discusses the key elements of an effective counseling relationship. It provides definitions of counseling from the American Counseling Association and Merriam-Webster. It discusses how the therapeutic alliance accounts for 30% of change in counseling and involves feeling listened to, cared for, and supported. The document also outlines characteristics of a counseling relationship, what does not work in counseling, the importance of trust and acceptance, and the 7 stages of the counseling process.

1. BASIC COUNSELING SKILLS
SYBA SEC2B PSYCHOLOGY SEM 4

3. DEFINITIONS According to the American Counseling
Association, counseling is defined as, "a
professional relationship that empowers
diverse individuals, families, and groups to
accomplish mental health, wellness,
education, and career goals."
Definition of counseling (Meriam
Webster)
: professional guidance of the individual by utilizing
psychological methods especially in collecting case
history data, using various techniques of the
personal interview, and testing interests and
aptitudes

4. More Definitions
Pepinsky and Pepinsky (1954) defined the relationship “as a hypothetical
construct to designate the inferred character of the observable interaction
between the two individuals”.
Shertzer and Stone (1971) have described the helping relationship as “the
endeavor, by interaction with another person to contribute in a facilitating positive
way to his improvement”.
Rogers (1961) defines the helping relationship as one “in which at least one of the
parties has the intent of promoting the growth, the development, maturity,
improved functioning, and improved coping with life of the other”.

5. Alliance
The quality of the therapeutic alliance
accounts for 30 percent of the change in
counseling. Does the client feel listened to,
cared for, supported, a sense of bondwith the
counselor, warmth, respect, genuineness, not
judged? A good working relationship is the
heart of effective counseling. The non-
specific factors that contribute to this
alliance are:
1)having a time/safe place to talk
2)feeling understood
3)a meeting of the minds
4)a sense of encouragement, coaching,
teaching

6. What does not work in counseling
● attributing failure to the client
● Arguing with the client
● Passivity
● Hostility
● negative confrontations
● mechanical responses
● ignoring the client’s feelings

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF A COUNSELING RELATIONSHIP
1. AFFECTIVENESS
2. INTENSITY
3. GROWTH AND CHANGE
4. PRIVACY
5. SUPPORT
6. HONESTY

8. THERAPEUTIC CLIMATE:
Trust & Acceptance

9. STAGES OF COUNSELING PROCESS
Stage 1: Relationship Building
Stage 2: Identifying the nature of the presenting problem
Stage 3: Formulation of Counseling Goals
Stage 4: Categories: counseling goals
Stage 5: Intervention and Problem Solving
Stage 6: Termination and follow up
Stage 7: Research and Evaluation