Page 143 - DEDU502_GUIDANCE_AND_COUNSELING_ENGLISH

Unit 12: Counseling: Principles and Counseling Process

In the counseling of personal problems the psychotherapeutic model assumes a somewhat different Notes
character. In this, information and planning in logical terms do not play that central a role. The
model is, by and large, unique for each counseling situation and this uniqueness emerges partly
from the uniqueness of the individual’s attitudes, interests, problems, etc., and also from the
uniqueness of the counselor’s experiences, skills, etc. The general outline of the counseling model is
(1) realizing that there is a complaint, problem or symptom (often people do not realize this), (2)
feeling the need for help in resolving the problem, (3) seeking help and establishing the relationship
(client-counselor relationship), (4) expressing feelings, clarifying and elaborating them as related to
the problem(s), (5) exploring feelings and personal resources, (6) being aware of the desirable direction
of change, (7) working through feelings and inducing the desirable change by means of interpretation
and reinforcement, (8) developing insights, (9) planning action, and (10) implementing the action.
The above two models have much in common though they differ significantly with regard to certain
important elements. The former lays stress on the cognitive aspects while the latter lays stress on the
affective aspects.

12.2.1 Readiness
Clients broadly fall under two broad categories, the first consisting of those who seeks assistance
voluntarily and the second comprises those referred. Whatever the case be counseling presupposes
a desire on the part of the counselee, that makes the client come for assistance. This desire is referred
to as ‘readiness’.

12.2.2 Counter Will
Often people experience difficulty in asking for help and accepting it as well. Because in some cases,
they are reluctant to face the consequences of change and for some receiving help means an admission
of inadequacy of failure. Some feel that they need no assistance or cannot be helped at all. This
negative feeling that holds back one from seeking help is referred to as ‘counter will’.
12.2.3 Case History

This is a term very often used in this field. A case history can be defined as a systematic collection
of facts about the client present and past life. However, the focus of attention varies with the theoretical
orientations of the counselor like a psychoanalytically oriented counselor looking for relevant
childhood experiences, etc.
Self Assessment

1. Fill in the blanks :
(i) A .......................... is a systematic collection of facts about the client present and past life.
(ii) .......................... is for enabling the client to do judicious thinking.
(iii) .......................... acts as facilitator or catalyst in counseling process.

12.3 Stages in Counseling Process
Stage I: The first stage is the awareness of need for help. Most individuals go about their day-to-day
lives without much awareness of their situation and they appear to be none the worse for it. Inwardly
they may be experiencing suffering, yet they may not seek help. Some individuals experience their
problems either because of their severity or because someone close draws attention to the problems.
Such individuals are potential clients. They seek psychological assistance because of feelings of
distress. They lack the necessary competence and information to deal with them on their own.
Stage II: The second important stage in counseling consists of the development of relationship. This
can be viewed as a bridge connecting the counsellee’s personality with that of the counselor’s,
penetrating through the other defenses. The development of an emotionally warm and understanding
relationship is the first step in the Counseling relationship. It is characterized by mutual liking, trust
and respect. The counselor should be aware of the defense strategies likely to be exploited by the

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