Counselling: Meaning, Techniques, Types and Problems

of Effective Counselling:
Counselling is a serious job an executive must perform in addition to his routine work. He as a
counsellor must therefore develop good relationship with the counsellee.

There are several ‘Do’s and ‘Don’ts to be followed to have effective counselling:

1. He should develop good relationship with counsellee.

2. Develop mutual understanding, respect for counsellee.
3. Be patient.
4. Listen to the grievances carefully.
5. Develop cooperative attitude.
6. Be simple and have sympathy with the counsellee.
7. Do make attempts to know the background of worries, threats, anxiety etc.
8. Make himself available to help the counsellee.
9. Be friendly with counsellee and be frank.
The counsellor should abstain from or try to avoid the following:
1. Should not develop conflict with counsellee.
2. Do not have any vested interest in counselling.
3. Do not be angry with the counsellee.
4. Don’t resist.
5. Avoid being biased, be impartial.
6. Don’t exploit the counsellee for self interest.
7. Do not use pressure tactics?

The counsellor should act as a friend, philosopher and guide to the counsellee in the strict sense of the

phrase. The practicing of the above ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ will make the counselling effective. There are
several problems which affect the behaviour of the person at the workplace and elsewhere.

Through counselling these problems need to be removed to bring back the person on the track of normal

behaviour. The counsellor therefore has to find out the problems which are responsible for acentric
behaviour of the counsellee.
These problems may include partial treatment at the workplace, drinking habits, drug addictions, strains

in interpersonal relations, inferiority complex, sex related problems, disputes in family, low morale etc.

The counsellor tracing out these problems has to make all out efforts to remove it. No one is born with

a problem. Problems are created. Most of them are psychological. The counsellor should find out the
root cause and try to remove it.

Techniques of Counselling:
The effective counselling needs counselling skills, complete information about the persons to be

counselled i.e. the information relating to his motives; experience, weaknesses, strength, attitudes and
behaviour should be collected before counselling.

After gathering complete information through various sources the counselling services be provided to

the person. The techniques of counselling cannot be uniformly adopted. They vary from person to
person and also depend on circumstances.

Counselling is not a modern phenomenon it is practiced since the evolution of mankind. Only the need

of it is very severely felt in modern times. Counselling is a two way process. Counsellor can help the

counsellee if he cooperates with counsellor and open his heart to him, otherwise counselling becomes

a difficult task. However, there are certain techniques of counselling that can be followed and adopted
as per the need of the situation and counsellee.

Types of Counselling:

The following are the types of counselling:

1. Directive Counselling:

Under directive counselling the counsellor issues certain instructions to the counsellee or he is directed

to do certain things e.g.: he is asked to behave in a particular manner, asked to abstain from alcohol or
drug, asked to respect his colleagues and superiors.

2. Non-Directive Counselling:
Under non-directive counselling counsellor does not issue directions but observe the behaviour and

attitude of the counsellee towards his work and his colleagues and superiors and subordinates. If he
errs then counsellor comes to his rescue and corrects him realizing him that he was wrong. He will not
issue him any instructions or will not direct him.

3. Cooperative Counselling:

This is a kind of counselling that can be done through extending full cooperation to the counsellee and

makes him realize his mistakes relating to his behaviour and attitudes so that he himself will be back

on the track and improve himself. It is winning the heart of the counsellee through cooperation. His

confidence will be won by the counsellee and he in turn will extend his cooperation and become self
disciplined.

4. Marital and Family Counselling:

Employees need counselling in respect of marriage and family problems. The troubled employees can
discuss out their problems with the counsellor who can take them into confidence and prescribe
solutions for their ills.

Counselling Techniques: The Best Techniques for Being the Most Effective
Counselor

Tackling the ups, downs, and all around issues that come along with living a healthy life is no
easy bull’s eye to hit. Every week can bring family emergencies, health problems, relationship issues,
and career concerns. With all of these things that we cannot ignore – how do we go about facing them
head-on with strength, self-assurance, and a clear mind? If you are a counselor, or have been to a
counselor before, you would know the benefits that being able to speak with someone one-on-one about
your issues have to offer. There is no shame in asking for help, and there are plenty of people that are
qualified professionals that are here to service your personal, career, or family needs. Today, we are
going to go over some helpful counselling techniques that, if you are a counselor, you are likely to put
into play, and, if you are a patient, you can look forward to engaging in. So get ready to open up
to make the best use of counselling techniques.

Benefits of Counselling

Before we get into the techniques used in counselling, let’s first go over the benefits of
counselling. These are helpful to know whether you are a counselor or wanting to be counselled – as
you will see why counselling is so important. Counselling can help you…
 Feel better about yourself.
 Feel more at peace, at ease in your daily activities, more comfortable, and more secure in the world.
 Feel more successful and more joyful on a more regular basis.
 Feel more connected to others, especially those who are close to you, such as your family, spouse, or
best friends.
 Reduce stress at home, in the workplace, or in relationships.
 Help with your physical health by reducing emotional worries or stressors.
 Work through your problems with a skilled and compassionate professional counselor.
 Identify the goals that you have in life, as well make new goals that you want to achieve.
 Learn new behaviours or responses to situations that can help you better achieve your goals.
 Establish healthy and efficient ways and techniques for reaching your goals.
 Understand your own thoughts, feelings, and responses.
 Understand your loved ones and your relationships with them.
 Develop a safe and friendly listening ear.
 Speak with a skilled professional about your fears and perceptions of the world, and others.
 Feel safe about expressing any personal troubles or private concerns.
 Work towards greater self-fulfilment.

Counselling Techniques Used by Counsellors

There are many different techniques that counsellors can use with their clients. Let’s look at some of
the techniques that we feel to be most effective during a counselling session:

 Spheres of Influence: This assessment tool will get the individual to look at areas of their life and see
which areas may be impacting and influencing them. The person’s job is to figure out which systems
in their life give them strength, and which ones give them stress. Some spheres of influence to consider
are: themselves, immediate family, friends, husband or wife, extended family, job or school,
community, culture or religion, and any external influences.
 Clarification: A counselor should often ask their client to clarify what they are telling them to make
sure they understand the situation correctly. This will help the counselor avoid any misconceptions or
avoid them having to make any assumptions that could hinder their feedback.
 Client Expectations: When a person enters therapy, they should voice their opinions about counseling
and their beliefs about treatment. In the beginning, they should be able to communicate with their
counselor as to what they expect to get out of counseling. This can help the counselor guide and direct
their counseling accordingly.
 Confrontation: We do not mean the client confronting the therapist, or vice versa. The confrontation
that should happen here is within the client. The client should be able to self-examine themselves
during counseling. However, the speed at which they do this should be discussed between the
counselor and the client.
 Congruence: This has to do with the counselor being genuine with their feedback and beliefs about
their client’s situation and progress. The more authentic and true they are with their counselling, the
more that their client and work to grow and benefit from their help.
 Core Conditions: This technique in counselling goes over some essential traits that the counselor
needs to integrate for effective counselling, which are: positive regard, empathy, congruence or
genuineness, and warmth.
 Encouraging: Being encouraging as a counselor for your client is an essential technique that will help
facilitate confidence and respect between both parties. This technique asks that the counselor focus on
the client’s strengths and assets to help them see themselves in a positive light. This will help with the
client’s progression.
 Engagement: As a therapist, having a good, yet professional relationship with your client is
essential. However, there are bound to be difficult moments in counselling sessions, which will require
influential engagement on the counselor’s behalf.
 Focusing: This technique involves the counselor demonstrating that they understand what their client
is experiencing by using non-judgmental attention without any words. Focusing can help the counselor
determine what the client needs to obtain next from their services.
 Immediacy: The technique of the counselor speaking openly about something that is occurring in the
present moment. This helps the client learn from their real-life experiences and apply this to their
reactions for other past situations.
 Listening Skills: With any relationship, listening skills are needed to show that the counselor
understands and interprets the information that their client gives them correctly. The counselor should
do this by showing attentiveness in non-verbal ways, such as: summarizing, capping, or matching the
body language of their clients.
 Open-Ended Questions: Open ended questions encourage people in a counselling session to give
more details on their discussion. Therefore, these types of questions are used as a technique by
counsellors to help their clients answer how, why, and what.
 Paraphrasing: This technique will show clients that the counselor is listening to their information
and processing what they have been telling them. Paraphrasing is also good to reiterate or clarify any
misinformation that might have occurred.
 Positive Asset Search: A positive technique used by counsellors helps clients think up their positive
strengths and attributes to get them into a strong mindset about themselves.
 Reflection of Feeling: Counsellors use this technique to show their clients that they are fully aware
of the feelings that their client is experiencing. They can do this by using exact words and phrases that
their client is expressing to them.
 Miracle Question: The technique of asking a question of this sort will help the client see the world in
a different way or perspective. A miracle question could be something along the lines of: “What would
your world look like if a miracle occurred? What would that miracle be and how would it change
things?”
 Stages of Change: By assessing a client’s needs, a counselor can determine the changes that need to
occur for their client, and when they should take place. This can be determined by what they believe
to be most important.
 Trustworthiness: The counselor must create an environment for their client as such that their client
feels that they have the capacity to trust their counselor. A therapist must be: congruent, warm,
empathetic, and speak with positive regard to their client.
 Capping: A lot of counsellors use the technique of capping during their sessions. Capping involves
changing a conversation’s direction from emotional to cognitive if the counselor feels their client’s
emotions need to be calmed or regulated.
 Working Alliance: Creating a working alliance between a counselor and their client is essential for a
successful counselling environment that will work to achieve the client’s needs. This technique
involves the client and therapist being active collaborators during counselling and agreeing upon goals
of treatment that are necessary, as well as how to achieve those goals.
 Proxemics: This technique has the counselor study the spatial movements and conditions of
communication that their client exhibits. By studying their clients body orientation, the counselor can
determine mood, feelings, and reactions.
 Self-Disclosure: The counselor will make note when personal information is disclosed at certain
points of therapy. This technique will help the counselor learn more about the client and use this
information only to benefit them.
 Structuring: When the individual enters counselling, the counselor should discuss the agenda for the
day with their client, the activities, and the processes that they will go through. This technique in
counselling will help the client understand their counselor’s train of thought into determining how this
routine will work for them. Soon enough, the client will get used to the routine, and this establishes
comfort and trust in counselling.
 Hierarchy of Needs: This technique involves the counselor assessing their client’s level of needs as
based on the progress that they are making. The needs that they will factor in are: physiological needs,
safety needs, love and belonging needs, self-esteem needs, and self-actualization needs. All these will
determine if change needs to take place in counselling.

METHODS OF COUNSELLING
Both Counsellors and Psychotherapists work from a variety of Theoretical Approaches with their
clients. These therapies range from the type of Psychoanalysis, originally practised by Sigmund Freud
and later developed into other forms of analytic psychotherapy by his pupils, through Humanistic
Psychotherapy (based on personal growth and self-development) to the Behavioural Therapies used
for dealing with specific phobias and anxieties. However, there is evidence that the relationship
between the counsellor and the client is more important than the approach the therapist uses.

The following are Theoretical Approaches with brief descriptions of their meanings:

Adlerian Therapy
Adlerian Therapy, originated by Alfred Adler, is also called individual psychology and focuses on
creating a therapeutic relationship that is co-operative, encouraging and practical. Adlerian counsellors
help clients look at their lifestyle and personal values to help them understand and question their usual
patterns of behaviour and hidden goals. It is a learning process that assists the client to move towards
useful involvement and contribution to society.

Behavioural Therapy
This therapy is based on the belief that behaviour is learnt in response to experience and can be
unlearnt, or reconditioned, without analysing the past to find the reason for the behaviour. It works
well for compulsive and obsessive behaviour, fears, phobias and addictions.
Cognitive Analytical Therapy
This combines Cognitive Therapy and Psychotherapy and encourages clients to draw on their own
ability to develop the skills to change destructive patterns of behaviour. Negative ways of thinking are
explored in structured and directive ways, involving diary-keeping, progress charts, etc.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
This combines Cognitive and Behavioural techniques. Clients are taught ways to change thoughts and
expectations and relaxation techniques are used. It has been effective for stress-related ailments,
phobias, obsessions, eating disorders and (at the same time as drug treatment) major depression.
Cognitive Therapy
Uses the power of the mind to influence behaviour. It is based on the theory that previous experiences
can damage self-image and this can affect attitude, emotions and ability to deal with certain situations.
It works by helping the client to identify, question and change poor mental images of themselves, thus
altering negative responses and behaviour. It can help pessimistic or depressed people to view things
from a more optimistic perspective.
Dialectical Behavioural therapy
DBT was developed from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). The main aim of CBT is to change
behaviour, which is done by applying techniques with a focus on problem-solving, such as
homework, diary cards and behavioural analysis. However, some people felt uncomfortable with the
strong focus on change and felt that their suffering and apparent loss of control over their lives were
not
understood. This caused them to become frustrated and even to drop out of treatment. Therapist sought
to resolve this by the use of acceptance strategies. Acceptance strategies are added to the process of
CBT which means that the therapist explores with their clients an acceptance that their behaviour (e.g.
self-harming, drinking, etc.), even though damaging in the long term, may be the only way they have
learned to deal with intense emotions; and which might have led to positive short-term benefits.
Eclectic Counselling
An Eclectic counsellor will select from several different approaches appropriate to the client’s needs.
This is based on the theory that there is no proof that any one theoretical approach works better than
all others for a specific problem.

EMDR
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that was
developed to resolve symptoms resulting from disturbing and unresolved life experiences. EMDR is
thought to imitate the psychological state that we enter when in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Studies show that when in REM sleep we can make new associations between things very rapidly –
EMDR may be tapping into this high-speed processing mode that we all have but often can’t access.
The theory is that EMDR works directly with memory networks and enhances information processing
by creating associations between the distressing memory and more adaptive information in other
memory networks.
Family Therapy
This is used to treat a family system rather than individual members of the family. A form of Systemic
Therapy, it requires specifically trained counsellors.

Gestalt Therapy
The name is derived from the German for “organized whole”. Developed by Fritz Perls, it focuses
overall of the client’s experience, including feelings, thoughts and actions. The client gains self-
awareness in the `here and now’ by analysing behaviour and body language and talking about bottled
up feelings. This approach often includes acting out scenarios and dream recall.
Humanistic Therapy
Coming from the “personal growth movement” this approach encourages people to think about their
feelings and take responsibility for their thoughts and actions. Emphasis is on self-development and
achieving highest potential. “Client-Centred” or “Non-Directive” approach is often used and the
therapy can be described as “holistic” or looking at person as a whole. The client’s creative instincts
may be used to explore and resolve personal issues.

Integrative Therapy
This is when several distinct models of counselling and psychotherapy are used together.

Jungian
Carl Jung was the originator of Analytical Psychology; a disciple of Sigmund Freud and a pioneer of
Psychoanalysis.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a specific way of intentionally paying attention. One negative thought can lead to a
chain reaction of negative thoughts. This approach encourages people to be aware of each
thought, enabling the first negative thought to be ‘caught’ so that is seen as just a ‘thought’ and not a
fact. This breaks the chain reaction of negative thoughts giving a mental ‘space’ in which the person
can re-centre themselves in the present. Mindfulness-based therapists can work with individuals
and groups and will usually integrate mindfulness into another modality, in which they are already
trained. Mindfulness is likely to appeal to therapists who have developed a long-term
meditation practice.
Person-Centered Therapy
Devised by Carl Rogers and called “Client-Centred” or “Rogerian” counselling, this assumes that a
client seeking help in the resolution of a problem they are experiencing, can enter into a relationship
with a counsellor who is sufficiently accepting and permissive to allow the client to freely express any
emotions and feelings. This will enable the client to come to terms with negative feelings, which may
have caused emotional problems, and develop inner resources. The objective is for the client to become
able to see himself as a person, with the power and freedom to change, rather than as an object.

Primal Therapy
Primal Therapy is not generally seen as model of therapy that is used on its own. It is usually an
additional way of working within the more general therapeutic approach in which therapists
are trained. This is based on the theory that buried birth or infancy distress can resurface as neuroses.
The therapy takes the client back to the “primal scene” where trauma can be re-experienced as
an emotional cleansing.
Psychoanalysis
This is based on the work of Sigmund Freud, who believed that the unacceptable thoughts of early
childhood are banished to the unconscious mind but continue to influence thoughts, emotions and
behaviour. “Repressed” feelings can surface later as conflicts, depression, etc or through dreams or
creative activities. The analyst seeks to interpret and make acceptable to the client’s conscious mind,
troublesome feelings and relationships from the past. “Transference” onto the analyst, of feelings about
figures in the client’s life, is encouraged. This type of therapy is often used by clients suffering high
levels of distress and can be a lengthy and intensive process.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy/Counselling
This approach stresses the importance of the unconscious and past experience in shaping current
behaviour. The client is encouraged to talk about childhood relationships with parents and
other significant people and the therapist focuses on the client/therapist relationship (the dynamics) and
in particular on the transference. Transference is when the client projects onto the therapist feelings
experienced in previous significant relationships. The Psychodynamic approach is derived from
Psychoanalysis but usually provides a quicker solution to emotional problems.
Psychosynthesis
Sometimes described as “psychology of the soul”. It is the name given to a series of actions that lead
to a change or development which encourages personal growth by a bringing together of the whole
person – the emotional, the mental, the physical and spiritual within a safe environment.
Psychosynthesis is useful for people seeking a new, more spiritually oriented vision of themselves.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
 This promotes positive change rather than dwelling on past problems. Clients are encouraged to focus
positively on what they do well and to set goals and work out how to achieve them. As little as 3 or 4
sessions may be beneficial.

Analysis of a counselling session

This type of assessment requires you to analyse and evaluate the skills of a counsellor based on a video
of their work. This assignment type often focuses on the impact of the counselling skills on the client,
an evaluation of the counselling skills or approach used, and suggestions for changes or improvements,
if appropriate. Your assignment might ask you to analyse general counselling skills, or to focus on a
specific approach, such as existential therapy or narrative therapy.

Content
The content of the analysis will be based on the specific guidelines or questions given with the
assessment information. For example, you may be asked to identify and evaluate:

 The counsellor’s communication skills, e.g. opening a session and building rapport
 The counsellor’s adherence to professional requirements, e.g. explaining their position on
confidentiality and record keeping to the client
 Their application of certain techniques, e.g. the use of counselling therapies discussed in the unit you
are studying

You might also be asked to reflect on areas for improvement and future development. You might also
need to transcribe parts of the dialogue to give as examples. This is called giving a verbatim example. In
all cases, you must use the theory from the unit you are studying as the basis of your discussion and
analysis of the counsellor's skills. Each assignment has unique requirements, so always check the
assignment instructions and marking criteria.

Structure
An evaluation or analysis of a counselling session is a type of essay. Therefore, if should have an
introduction, a series of body paragraphs, a conclusion, and a reference list. Eaach body paragraph
should explore one main idea and have a good balance of description, analysis and links to literature
and theory. More information about writing essays can be found here.

Style
Try to avoid writing in an overly emotive or subjective way. Even though you are expressing your own
 analysis, you must convey this information in a professional style. Here are some examples of
sentences that have been rewritten more professionally.

 The client complained that her kids were really naughty --> The client stated that her children were not
well behaved.
 Even though the counsellor seemed unsure about digging deeper, her questioning was good. --> Even
though the counsellor seemed apprehensive about probing, her questioning was appropriate.
Tips

 Avoid writing the assignment as simply a ‘story’ of the counselling session. Focus your assignment on
the skills and approaches used in the session and use what happened in the session as examples to
illustrate.
 Explain each skill/approach using references and back up your analysis and evaluation of each
skill/approach with reference to theory also.
 Your analysis of the counselling session should lead to an overall conclusion about the effectiveness
of the skills and approaches used. This conclusion could be very positive, very negative, or anywhere
in between. Don’t be shy about criticising the counsellor’s use of skills if you think they made mistakes.
 Have references to support your praise or criticism of the counsellor’s use of skills.
 If you think the counsellor could have done things differently, suggest what they should do.

Crisis Counselling
A crisis refers not just to a traumatic event or experience, but to an individual's response to the
situation. The events that trigger this crisis can run the gamut of life experience, from developmental
hurdles (such as going through puberty) to natural disasters to the death of a loved one. Crisis
counselling is an intervention that can help individuals deal with the crisis by helping and support.

The roots of modern-day crisis counseling date back to World War I and World War II. Before this
time, soldiers who exhibited significant psychological reactions to the experiences they had at war
were frequently seen as weak or even disloyal. However, it soon became apparent that soldiers who
were immediately offered treatment fared much better than their untreated counterparts.

Elements of Crisis Counseling

Crisis counseling is intended to be quite brief, generally lasting for a period of no longer than a few
weeks. It is important to note that crisis counseling is not psychotherapy. Crisis intervention is
focused on minimizing the stress of the event, providing emotional support and improving the
individual’s coping strategies in the here and now.
Like psychotherapy, crisis counseling involves assessment, planning, and treatment, but the scope of
is generally much more specific. While psychotherapy focuses on a broad range of information and
client history, crisis assessment and treatment focuses on the client’s immediate situation including
factors such as safety and immediate needs.

Typologies of Crises

Crises can be categorized into four types. Although these overlap, each has unique characteristics
setting it apart from the others. An understanding of these characteristics can increase counselors’
abilities to provide the appropriate intervention.

Developmental crises occur when events in the normal flux and flow of human growth are disrupted
by a dramatic shift that precipitates an abnormal response. Graduation from college, marriage, a first
child, job change, or retirement are all key developmental benchmarks that call for dramatic shifts in
how a person operates and may occasion a crisis event. Cultural variances may play a large part in
whether these developmental issues are seen as crises or not.

Situational crises occur when an uncommon event occurs that the individual has no way of
forecasting or controlling. Automobile accidents, rapes, shootings, sudden illnesses, the unexpected
death of a child or spouse, job loss, and divorce are all examples of unforeseen, sudden, and intense
traumatic events that are far out of the realm of normal functioning. These crises generally do not
have a cultural component. The crisis of being a victim of a violent crime is a crisis regardless of the
culture.

Existential crises are those inner conflicts that accompany the important human issues of joy,
happiness, love, responsibility, goal orientation, and self-concept. Existential crises occur when
individuals suddenly realize that some important intrapersonal aspect of their lives will never be
fulfilled. Finding out that a major league baseball career is beyond one’s skills after a great collegiate
career, never taking a risk or having an adventure before being bedridden with arthritis, and a death
bed review of one’s life as meaningless are examples of crises of self-purpose and self-worth.

Systemic crises ripple out into large segments of the population and the environment itself. Natural
disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the Indonesian tsunami wreak havoc on all parts of the
ecological system across wide geographic areas. They result in death and injury, as well as the loss of
basic human necessities such as food and shelter. Infrastructure services are destroyed, and the means
of employment are lost because the businesses where people worked are no longer in existence.
Natural and human-made disasters such as the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing, the
September 11 attacks, and school massacres not only affect the immediate victims but also
psychologically impact people throughout the world via extensive media coverage. As a result, the
kinds of psychological intervention applied to these crisis domains tend to be very different from
those used in the normal course of psychotherapy.

While there are several different treatment models, there are a number of common elements
consistent with the various theories of crisis counseling.

Assessing the Situation

The first part of crisis counseling involves assessing the client’s current situation. This involves
listening to the client, asking questions and determining what the individual needs to cope effectively
with the crisis.
During this time, the crisis counseling provider needs to define the problem while at the same time
acting as a source of empathy, acceptance, and support. It is also essential to ensure client safety,
both physically and psychologically.

Education

People who are experiencing a crisis need information about their current condition and the steps
they can take to minimize the damage. During crisis counseling, mental health workers often help the
client understand that their reactions are normal but temporary. While the situation may seem both
dire and endless to the person experiencing the crisis, the goal is to help the client see that he or she
will eventually return to normal functioning.

Offering Support

One of the most important elements of crisis counseling involves providing support, stabilization, and
resources. Active listening is critical, as well as offering unconditional acceptance and reassurance.
Offering this kind of nonjudgmental support during a crisis can help reduce stress improve coping.
During the crisis, it can be very beneficial for individuals to develop a brief dependency on
supportive people. Unlike unhealthy dependencies, these relationships help the individual become
stronger and more independent.

Developing Coping Skills

In addition to providing support, crisis counselors also help clients develop coping skills to deal with
the immediate crisis. This might involve helping the client explore different solutions to the problem,
practicing stress reduction techniques and encouraging positive thinking. This process is not just
about teaching these skills to the client; it is also about helping the client to make a commitment to
continue utilizing these skills in the future.

WHAT IS CAREER COUNSELING?

Your career development is a lifelong process that, whether you know it or not, actually started when
you were born! There are a number of factors that influence your career development, including your
interests, abilities, values, personality, background, and circumstances. Career Counseling is a
process that will help you to know and understand yourself and the world of work in order to make
career, educational, and life decisions.

Career development is more than just deciding on a major and what job you want to get when you
graduate. It really is a lifelong process, meaning that throughout your life you will change, situations
will change, and you will continually have to make career and life decisions. The goal of Career
Counseling is to not only help you make the decisions you need to make now, but to give you the
knowledge and skills you need to make future career and life decisions.
 What can I expect?

YOUR CAREER COUNSELOR WILL:

 Help you figure out who you are and what you want out of your education, your career, and your life.
 Be someone for you to talk to about your thoughts, ideas, feelings, and concerns about your career
and educational choices, who will help you sort out, organize, and make sense of your thoughts and
feelings.
 Help you identify the factors influencing your career development, and help you assess your
interests, abilities, and values.
 Help you locate resources and sources of career information.
 Help you to determine next steps and develop a plan to achieve your goals.
YOUR CAREER COUNSELOR WON’T:

 Tell you what to do, or tell you what you should major in or what career you should pursue.
Who needs Career Counseling?

Since career development is a lifelong process, Career Counseling can be appropriate for anyone,
including freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and even alumni. The earlier you get started
making intentional decisions about your future, however, the better prepared you will be! We
recommend that all freshmen come in and visit with a Career Counselor.

Below are some examples of concerns that bring students to Career Counseling:

Exploring Career and Major Options

 “I have no idea what I want to do with my life.”

 “I don’t know what to major in.”
 “I’ve narrowed it down to a couple career options, but I’m having a hard time choosing between
them.”
 “I know what I want to major in, but I have no idea what I want to do once I graduate.”
 “I know what I want to do, but I’m not sure what the best major would be.
 “I want to know what kinds of jobs I can get with my major.”
 “I don’t feel like I know enough about all the different careers out there to know what I want to do.”
 Resolving Conflicts

 “I like a lot of different subjects, and I keep changing my major because I’m not sure which one is
the best for me!”
 “I don’t like any of my classes and none of the majors seem really appealing to me.”
 “I have a lot of work experience and I want to find a new career path that will build on the skills I
already have.”
 “I was planning on going into the _______ program, but I applied and didn’t get in. What do I do
now?”
 “I always thought I wanted to be a _______, but I got into my major and I really don’t like it!”
 “I really like my major, but it’s not what I want to do for my career.”
 “I know what type of work I’d like to do, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to make enough money doing
it.”
 “My family really wants me to be a _______, but I’m not sure if that’s really what I want.”
 “I’ve always planned on being a _______, but I’m wondering if it’s only because that’s all I know.”
 “I want to find a field to go into where there will always be plenty of jobs.”
 “I want to find a career that will allow me to provide significant financial support for my family.”
 “I’m working towards my career, but I think I might just really want to be a stay-at-home parent.”
 “I’ve always planned to stay in Boise, but to do what I’d like to do I’d have to move.”
 “I can’t find a job, so I’m thinking about going to grad school.”
Who is a Career Counselor?

The Career Center staff member assisting you holds a masters degree and has expertise in career
development theory, counseling techniques, administration and interpretation of assessments, and
career information resources.

Your job search/ career attainment process is also a critical aspect of your career development, and
therefore, Job Search Advising and Career Counseling are intertwined. Your Career Counselor is also
fully trained to assist with all aspects of your job search.

WHAT IS GROUP COUNSELING?

Group counseling involves 4-8 students meeting with 1-2 trained counselor(s), typically once a week
for 1.5 hours. Group members talk about a variety of issues including exploring relationships,
improving self-esteem, and enhancing coping skills. Group members share information about
themselves and provide feedback to others while group leaders facilitate productive communication
in the group.

Click here to see our current Groups Program.

How do I know if group counseling is right for me?

The consultant-on-duty will help you to decide whether group is appropriate for you. If so, you will
be referred to the group leader for a group screening. This screening will allow you to get to know
the group leader, hear about the group, and decide whether the group will be a good match for you.

What issues are groups effective in treating?

Groups can be especially helpful for people who have concerns about their relationships. Some
common concerns of group members include loneliness or isolation, shyness, dependence in
relationships, superficial relationships and/or a lack of intimacy, frequent disagreements with others,
discomfort in social situations, difficulty trusting others, being easily hurt or offended, needing a lot
of reassurance from others, and fear of being left or abandoned. Group therapy is the treatment of
choice for several other concerns as well. There is evidence for the effectiveness of group treatment
for the following issues:

 Anxiety and Panic

 Chronic Pain and Illness

 Depression

 Eating Disorders

 Social Anxiety and other Interpersonal Problems

 Substance Abuse

 Traumatic Experiences

What skills can I gain from group?

  Learning to communicate more comfortably and effectively.

 Identifying and exploring inner feelings.

 Getting feedback from others.

 Learning to express your own wishes and to act on your own behalf.

 Being honest with self and others.

 Becoming more sensitive to the ways people communicate.

 Learning about closeness and intimacy.

 Experimenting with new ways of relating to others.

How does group work?

One of the major ways that group can be helpful to you is that it can replicate the ways you interact in
your everyday life. The other group members and leaders can also give feedback about how they
perceive you and offer alternative ways of behaving in order to help you interact more
productively. Groups are able to provide support, offer alternatives, or gently confront group
members in such a way that difficulties can be resolved and new behaviors learned. Often people in
a group begin to feel less alone in dealing with their problems. It can be very encouraging to hear
that others have worked through similar problems.

What would I actually do in group?

Letting the group know why you initially came to the UCS and sharing what you hope to gain from
the group is a good place to start. If you need support, let the group know. If you think that you need
to be challenged, let the group know that too. It is sometimes helpful to think of the group as a
laboratory in which you can experiment with new ways of thinking, feeling, or relating to
others. You will probably be most helped if you talk about your feelings. Unexpressed feelings are a
major reason that people experience difficulties. Group leaders and other group members can help
you to be more honest with yourself and others as you explore your feelings. How much you choose
to talk about yourself is up to you. However, we have found that people who benefit most from
group take responsibility for making the group work by sharing their concerns and speaking up when
they have reactions to issues or to other individuals in the group.

How can I make the most of my group experience?

 Participate actively.

 Be honest and genuine.

 Express your goals and ask for help working on them..

 Monitor how much you can disclose to challenge yourself yet still feel safe..

 Express your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the group.

 Experiment with new behaviors.

 Give and receive feedback.

 Be patient with the group, express frustrations, and stick with it..

 Find ways to work on your issues in between group sessions.

Will I have enough time to work on my issues in group?

Each group usually finds its own way of negotiating how group time is used. Typically a group will
begin with a “check-in” so that group members have an opportunity to summarize how they’re doing
and/or request speaking time during that session. We have found that group members who are able
to request time as needed are most likely to benefit from group. Group members can also benefit
from hearing other people work through and discuss their issues.

Aren't people too afraid to really talk in group?

When you meet people for the first time, it is hard to know what to say and how much to trust
them. Trust is a process that develops over time as group members take risks and share about
themselves. It helps to remember that groups are usually small (4-8 people) and that other group
members may be struggling with some of the same concerns as you are. Letting the group know you
are uncomfortable can be a first step. What is asked is that you make a commitment to being in the
group and that you be willing to open up as you feel comfortable.

How can I trust that what I say will be kept confidential?

Group members are asked to make a commitment to protect each other’s confidentiality by agreeing
not to divulge information that would identify other members outside of group. While we at the UCS
cannot provide you with an absolute guarantee of confidentiality in group, our experience shows that
group members respect each other’s privacy just as they respect their own. To help ensure the safety
of clients and others, some issues do not remain confidential. If a group member appears to be
planning harm to oneself (suicide), harm to others (homicide), or reports abusing children or
dependent adults, the counselor is legally bound to break confidentiality in order to provide the
individuals with the assistance they need.

What will be expected of me?

Each group may establish its own ground rules, but there are some general guidelines that we have
found to be important:

 Please let the group leaders know if you are going to miss a session.

 If you decide that group is not appropriate for you, please discuss your concerns with the
group rather than simply not attending sessions.

 It is your responsibility to talk about your reasons for being in the group and to let the group
members know what you expect from them.

 You are expected to respect the confidentiality of the group.

What is the role of the group leaders?

Group leaders have expertise in group counseling and in the specific focus of the group (e.g., social
anxiety). The role of the group leaders is to facilitate productive, respectful communication within
the group. To do this, they will encourage group members to interact with one another. Group
leaders may point out common themes, give feedback to individuals or the group as a whole, or offer
support or challenge as needed. They also try to provide enough structure so that the group doesn’t
get stuck, but enough freedom so the group accepts responsibility for itself. The leaders respect the
confidentiality of the group and make every effort to create a safe environment.

Will other group members be like me?

Within any group, there are bound to be similarities and differences among people, both of which can
be helpful in making progress on your goals. If a group has a particular theme (e.g., eating
disorders), members will likely be similar in certain ways. Other groups may be more
heterogeneous. The UCS has a strong commitment to meeting the needs of diverse people. In all
individual, program, and group services, we strive to create an environment where all people feel
welcome. As a staff we attempt to facilitate mutual respect and understanding among people of
diverse racial, ethnic, national, and cultural backgrounds, sexual/affectional orientation, mental and
physical disabilities, language, religion/spiritual beliefs, as well as other types of diversity.

How are groups organized?

Some groups are organized around a certain theme such as family of origin concerns, GLBT support,
dissertation support, or general therapy issues. Groups also decide whether they are open and allow
members to come and go as they please or whether they require a commitment to group and close
after a certain number of members is reached. Some groups specify a certain length of meeting time
(e.g., 6-12 weeks), and others can be ongoing for semesters or years. Finally, group leaders may
provide planned activities and educational materials, or they may allow the group to decide how to
use its time each week.

What are some groups offered outside of the UCS?

 FAA, Al-Anon, Health Iowa (substance abusers and significant others)

 Domestic Violence Intervention Program (battered and formerly battered women)

 Iowa City Hospice, Inc. (grief support)

 Rape Victim Advocacy Program (rape and incest survivors)

 Toastmasters (public speaking and leadership skills)

 UIHC Counseling and Health Promotion (stress reduction and weight management)
  UIHC Psychiatry Clinic (emotional intensity disorder)

 United Campus Ministry (religious fellowship groups)

 Women's Resource and Action Center (relationships, coming out, body image, trauma
survivors)

WHAT IS GROUP COUNSELING?

Group counseling involves 4-8 students meeting with 1-2 trained counselor(s), typically once a
week for 1.5 hours. Group members talk about a variety of issues including exploring
relationships, improving self-esteem, and enhancing coping skills. Group members share
information about themselves and provide feedback to others while group leaders facilitate
productive communication in the group.
Click here to see our current Groups Program.

How do I know if group counseling is right for me?

The consultant-on-duty will help you to decide whether group is appropriate for you. If so, you
will be referred to the group leader for a group screening. This screening will allow you to get to
know the group leader, hear about the group, and decide whether the group will be a good
match for you.

What issues are groups effective in treating?

Groups can be especially helpful for people who have concerns about their relationships. Some
common concerns of group members include loneliness or isolation, shyness, dependence in
relationships, superficial relationships and/or a lack of intimacy, frequent disagreements with
others, discomfort in social situations, difficulty trusting others, being easily hurt or offended,
needing a lot of reassurance from others, and fear of being left or abandoned. Group therapy is
the treatment of choice for several other concerns as well. There is evidence for the
effectiveness of group treatment for the following issues:

 Anxiety and Panic

 Chronic Pain and Illness
 Depression
 Eating Disorders
 Social Anxiety and other Interpersonal Problems
 Substance Abuse
 Traumatic Experiences

What skills can I gain from group?

 Learning to communicate more comfortably and effectively.

 Identifying and exploring inner feelings.
 Getting feedback from others.
 Learning to express your own wishes and to act on your own behalf.
 Being honest with self and others.
 Becoming more sensitive to the ways people communicate.
 Learning about closeness and intimacy.
 Experimenting with new ways of relating to others.

How does group work?

One of the major ways that group can be helpful to you is that it can replicate the ways you
interact in your everyday life. The other group members and leaders can also give feedback
about how they perceive you and offer alternative ways of behaving in order to help you interact
more productively. Groups are able to provide support, offer alternatives, or gently confront
group members in such a way that difficulties can be resolved and new behaviors
learned. Often people in a group begin to feel less alone in dealing with their problems. It can
be very encouraging to hear that others have worked through similar problems.

What would I actually do in group?

Letting the group know why you initially came to the UCS and sharing what you hope to gain
from the group is a good place to start. If you need support, let the group know. If you think
that you need to be challenged, let the group know that too. It is sometimes helpful to think of
the group as a laboratory in which you can experiment with new ways of thinking, feeling, or
relating to others. You will probably be most helped if you talk about your
feelings. Unexpressed feelings are a major reason that people experience difficulties. Group
leaders and other group members can help you to be more honest with yourself and others as
you explore your feelings. How much you choose to talk about yourself is up to you. However,
we have found that people who benefit most from group take responsibility for making the group
work by sharing their concerns and speaking up when they have reactions to issues or to other
individuals in the group.

How can I make the most of my group experience?

 Participate actively.
 Be honest and genuine.
 Express your goals and ask for help working on them..
 Monitor how much you can disclose to challenge yourself yet still feel safe..
 Express your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the group.
 Experiment with new behaviors.
 Give and receive feedback.
 Be patient with the group, express frustrations, and stick with it..
 Find ways to work on your issues in between group sessions.

Will I have enough time to work on my issues in group?

Each group usually finds its own way of negotiating how group time is used. Typically a group
will begin with a “check-in” so that group members have an opportunity to summarize how
they’re doing and/or request speaking time during that session. We have found that group
members who are able to request time as needed are most likely to benefit from group. Group
members can also benefit from hearing other people work through and discuss their issues.

Aren't people too afraid to really talk in group?

When you meet people for the first time, it is hard to know what to say and how much to trust
them. Trust is a process that develops over time as group members take risks and share about
themselves. It helps to remember that groups are usually small (4-8 people) and that other
group members may be struggling with some of the same concerns as you are. Letting the
group know you are uncomfortable can be a first step. What is asked is that you make a
commitment to being in the group and that you be willing to open up as you feel comfortable.

How can I trust that what I say will be kept confidential?

Group members are asked to make a commitment to protect each other’s confidentiality by
agreeing not to divulge information that would identify other members outside of group. While
we at the UCS cannot provide you with an absolute guarantee of confidentiality in group, our
experience shows that group members respect each other’s privacy just as they respect their
own. To help ensure the safety of clients and others, some issues do not remain confidential. If
a group member appears to be planning harm to oneself (suicide), harm to others (homicide), or
reports abusing children or dependent adults, the counselor is legally bound to break
confidentiality in order to provide the individuals with the assistance they need.

What will be expected of me?

Each group may establish its own ground rules, but there are some general guidelines that we
have found to be important:

 Please let the group leaders know if you are going to miss a session.
 If you decide that group is not appropriate for you, please discuss your concerns with the
group rather than simply not attending sessions.
 It is your responsibility to talk about your reasons for being in the group and to let the group
members know what you expect from them.
 You are expected to respect the confidentiality of the group.

What is the role of the group leaders?

Group leaders have expertise in group counseling and in the specific focus of the group (e.g.,
social anxiety). The role of the group leaders is to facilitate productive, respectful
communication within the group. To do this, they will encourage group members to interact with
one another. Group leaders may point out common themes, give feedback to individuals or the
group as a whole, or offer support or challenge as needed. They also try to provide enough
structure so that the group doesn’t get stuck, but enough freedom so the group accepts
responsibility for itself. The leaders respect the confidentiality of the group and make every
effort to create a safe environment.

Will other group members be like me?

Within any group, there are bound to be similarities and differences among people, both of
which can be helpful in making progress on your goals. If a group has a particular theme (e.g.,
eating disorders), members will likely be similar in certain ways. Other groups may be more
heterogeneous. The UCS has a strong commitment to meeting the needs of diverse people. In
all individual, program, and group services, we strive to create an environment where all people
feel welcome. As a staff we attempt to facilitate mutual respect and understanding among
people of diverse racial, ethnic, national, and cultural backgrounds, sexual/affectional
orientation, mental and physical disabilities, language, religion/spiritual beliefs, as well as other
types of diversity.

How are groups organized?

Some groups are organized around a certain theme such as family of origin concerns, GLBT
support, dissertation support, or general therapy issues. Groups also decide whether they are
open and allow members to come and go as they please or whether they require a commitment
to group and close after a certain number of members is reached. Some groups specify a
certain length of meeting time (e.g., 6-12 weeks), and others can be ongoing for semesters or
years. Finally, group leaders may provide planned activities and educational materials, or they
may allow the group to decide how to use its time each week.

What are some groups offered outside of the UCS?

 FAA, Al-Anon, Health Iowa (substance abusers and significant others)

 Domestic Violence Intervention Program (battered and formerly battered women)
 Iowa City Hospice, Inc. (grief support)
 Rape Victim Advocacy Program (rape and incest survivors)
 Toastmasters (public speaking and leadership skills)
 UIHC Counseling and Health Promotion (stress reduction and weight management)
 UIHC Psychiatry Clinic (emotional intensity disorder)
 United Campus Ministry (religious fellowship groups)
 Women's Resource and Action Center (relationships, coming out, body image, trauma
survivors)

5 Advantages of Group Counseling

You may be overwhelmed with the prospect of becoming involved in group therapy, but there are actually
numerous advantages of group counseling that may appeal to you. These groups are typically comprised of
between 4 and 15 people. They’re led by a qualified facilitator or two. These group leaders are usually social
workers, psychologists or other mental health professionals who are trained in both group dynamics and the
specific issue of focus. Sessions occur once or twice per week on a short-term basis, up to a few months, or
long-term, continuing for years. While groups vary in type and format, a common thread is that members have
the opportunity to work on improving their lives in a supportive, structured environment. Continue reading to
discover some of the ways group counseling is beneficial to participants.

1. Belonging
Perhaps the biggest advantage of group therapy is the opportunity to see that others are struggling in similar
ways. Individual counseling doesn’t offer this kind of personal insight into the experiences of others. Your
feelings of isolation will likely become lessened as you begin to hear the stories of others and realize they
struggle, as well. Whether you’re dealing with anger management issues, anxiety, depression or other life
struggle, group counseling offers a space of validation and understanding.

2. Interpersonal Interaction
Group sessions are the perfect place to practice interpersonal relations and to improve social skills. It’s quite
common for those dealing with mental health issues or other life struggles to experience difficulties in their
relationships. During group work, you will be able to interact with other members, with the facilitator helping
to process the interactions. This processing enables members to gain an understanding of others’ points of
view and to learn healthy ways of communicating or resolving differences. Through observing the actions of
members, along with your own, you can gain tremendous insight into your own behavior, too.

3. Support
Group sessions can be even more powerful than individual work with a counselor because you are able to
receive support from more than one source. This is one of the primary advantages of group counseling. In
group therapy, the counselor isn’t the only one to offer feedback. Instead, the group facilitator encourages
members to offer feedback, suggestions and support throughout the session. The support of multiple people
can be quite effective in motivating change and validating feelings.

4. Perspective
The members of your therapy group can become your sounding board. They can provide you with feedback
that helps you to see a situation more clearly or realistically. It’s human nature to perceive things through your
on lens. For example, you may be harder on yourself regarding a perceived mistake than is actually necessary.
Your newfound therapeutic support system can help you to reframe the incident, seeing it in a more realistic
light. It’s important to note that group members won’t simply tell you what you want to hear. It is typical to
expect honest responses from members, but this type of counseling teaches everyone involved how to do so
in a constructive, helpful way.

5. Motivation
As you get to know your group, you may begin to notice that you find yourself thinking of them and how they
may react to various scenarios you encounter each week between sessions. This realization can cause you to
reconsider the ways in which you would normally react to a particular situation. This desire to want to report
positive outcomes to your peers can be incredibly motivational.

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what to expect from group work. The advantages of group
counseling are many, as are the rewards.