Reflective Analysis of Counselling Practice Task - Essay Example

Reflective analysis of counselling practice task You will record your session as counsellor for the essay. You will be given immediate verbal feedback from one of the tutors. 2. Transcribe the recording and attach it as an appendix to your assignment. 3. Analyse your transcript from a perspective of Client Centred Theory. 4. Identify when and how you are consistent and inconsistent with Client Centred Theory. Explore the reasons why this might be the case. Use feedback from your clients, observers and your own reflections to do this. Try to be specific rather than general. 5. Consider your own values and beliefs in relation to self and others within the context of the counselling relationship. Counsellors unlike judges extract information from their clients without leading the clients into a particular direction. The aim of the counsellor is to access information from the client and use the extracted information to prescribe a solution to the client’s problems. As such, the counsellor is to assist the growth of the client by providing a particular kind of relationship through communication that hinges on certain qualities. In practice, communication between the counsellor and the client enables the former to identify the issues presented by the later. This profession exposes the counsellor to client’s personal information. The details of some of this information may be emotional, but the counsellor should not let the emotions of the client carry him away. Perhaps this is the most challenging bit of this counselling profession. Maintaining one’s composure amid the tides of the client’s emotion is what distinguishes the professional counsellor and non-professional one. The principles of counselling practice border on a number of psychological theories because the profession attempts to solve the cognitive problems (Tudor, Keith, Valentine, & Worrall, 2004). In this essay, I will evaluate the recorded transcript with respect the client centred theory. The Client Centred Perspective The client centred perspective emphasise that the counsellor should maintain his or her composure while extracting information from the client (Tudor, Keith, Valentine, & Worrall, 2004). The essence of counselling is to establish and solve the problems of the client. The proponents of this view insist that counsellor should hide his expertise so that he or she can extract information from the client. People often share information depending on the relationship that exists between the parties involved. Concept of trust tends to affect the amount of information that one would share (Corey, 2012). In counselling practice, counsellors often strive to build a good relationship with the client so that the later may feel free to share personal information including secrets that haunt them. Obviously, individual’s past at times tends to affect the amount of information that one can share. Too many people that seek the services of the counsellors have spent their lives in environments that are disappointing, surrounded by people with devastating inappropriateness, or have assumed expert positions in solving problems of other people. These features seem to complicate the counsellor’s work. One would wonder, for example, how she would share personal information especially those she has kept as personal secrets. The nagging issues in the client’s life seem to reduce him to a person that has lost sense of worth and personal respect. The damages inflicted by the society often leave people in despair. As a result, a person would want to share the problems with a friend, a teacher, parent, or an expert (Corey, 2012). In most circumstances, people who seek the services of the counsellor have sought the services of other people who could help in solving the problem, but failed to achieve their desires. Thus, when they seek the services of the counsellor they hope that he or she will prescribe a solution to their problems. Analysis of the consistency in applying the client centred theory In the transcript, I demonstrated unconditional regard to the client. I tolerated the pain in the client’s sentiments to a point of breaking into tears. In deep, certain situation, attract pity in the same way as the client condition attracted pity. Nevertheless, emotionalising the condition of the client affected the client because it distracted her attention and she was unable to achieve self-growth. The intention of the client centred view is to solve the client’s problem through engaging the client in a conversation that does not ridicule the inability of the client to resist the problem. Moreover, the conversation should help the client to build skills of how to handle similar cases in the future. I strived to achieve these propositions during the counselling session, but I did not achieve all the requirements. Gatingi (2007) espoused that the counsellor’s relationship with the client should permeate the freedom to share detailed including negative issues that the client might not share publicly. From the beginning of the transcript, I attempted to give the client ample time to express her views. According to Rogers (1998), building a good relationship with the client should begin from the first meeting and proceed throughout the counselling. Clients are sensitive to the reception I gave her. I remembered that client began by looking at my composure before she could express her views. I think the first impression created defined the subsequent relationship with the client. The relationship I created with the client affected the personal the way the client expressed her problems. Whereas the primary motive to seek counselling is to find solution to a given problem, the client would not be willing to offer more information about self if the reception seems not to appeal or reduce her tension (Corey, 2012). I attempted to maintain good relationship with the client despite of many emotional breakdowns she had to undergo. All I could do most of the time was to node as she spoke. Alternatively, I approved of what she said. The opportunity I gave the client was important in supporting the client. The counsellor could interject during the counselling process when the client failed to get the strength to express her view. Seemingly, this approach was to help the client gunner the courage to speak. The client centred theory tends to emphasise choice of words used by the counsellor because building a good relationship with the client largely depend on the perception of both parties. Absence of good relationship between the client and the counsellor limits the quality of service that the client would receive. The societal perception of our attitude or character tends to differ with the individual perception. Moreover, this view tends to vary across the society depending on the interpretation that one would give to certain character traits. During the counselling session, I gave the client ample time to speak her mind, but she became emotional because of the situation she was describing drove her into the same. I think my response to the client discouraged the client from speaking all she had. As the client spoke, I did not only receive the sentiments, but also emotionalised them. Arguably, this approach affected the quality our engagement. Whereas the client centred theory emphasises the need to feel and understand the emotions of the client, emotionalizing the situation may break the client and affect the quality of service that she would receive from the counsellor (Lux, 2010). The equal partner approach tends to influence the attitude of the client towards the expert. Unlike, other behavioural approaches where the distinction between the client and the expert is elaborate, the person centred theory tend to discourage the creation of this boundary. The author of this theory contend that the counsellor has the most convenient opportunity of reading the mind of the client when I behave and think in the same way as the client would have thought when relating to his or her peer. During the session, I tried to achieve this requirement, but our conversation did not attain the said standards. The engagement between the client and the counsellor should lead the later towards self-actualization. In this case, my obligation was to restore the client back to her initial condition before the problem cropped (Joseph &Worsley, 2005). I was supposed to help the client depersonalise her relationship with the world and build her self-image. Repairing the dented image is not only difficult, but also takes time. For instance, in the case of this woman, her relationship with the world is presently subjective because she no longer believes in self. She doubts her ability to exist in the world without subjecting her image to what is negative. Depersonalizing the state of the client therefore demands tolerance of the client’s story, getting deep into the client’s condition as well as encouraging the client at her time of emotional needs (Lux, 2010). Unfortunately, during the counselling session, the emotional words of the clients affected me. I failed to withstand the conditions or views of client with respect to the client centred approach. The problem she had presented limited her ability to express herself. This situation influenced me question her. On the contrary, questions ought to balance my reaction to the information and emotion of the client. First, the questions that I asked the client ought to be friendly and open. In this case, I asked the client questions that would help me know more about the problem. However, the leading questions might limit the client from sharing all she wanted to share. Thus, to some extent, the questions were good maintaining a good relationship between the client and me, but in other instances especially when the client broke emotion, the questions were subjective and went against the client centred view. Studies show that clients tend to look at the questions as the tandem for their relationship (Roberts, 2009). That is, if she fails to answer the questions then the therapists would curtail the conversation or the relationship. To some extent, the client centred theory tilts the burden of the client to the counsellor. Unlike being a perceive receiver of the information offered by the client, I ought to show that I was able to stand by the side of the client. This approach helps the client to limit self-exploration. Arguably, the moment the client plants the bad images about her past, she is most likely to break into tears or self-pity. In this case, the client began narrating ordeals when seemingly strong, but broke into tears or emotional outburst in the middle of the conversation. I think, I failed to build the relationship effectively because what I could say during our conversation was ‘mmmm’. The client felt like I was not so how interested in her version of story. Perhaps, I could have interjected by giving some an example of things that disturb others. The content that the therapist and client share and the nature of reception tend to affect the client’s ability to control their emotions. Another reason why client centred theory attempt to limit questioning on the client is that questioning makes counselling process an external activity rather than attempting to assume the internal conditions affecting the client. Since self-centred theory emphasises empathic understanding, (Rogers, 1986) believes that avoiding questions is inevitable in realising the values of this theory. The major assumption in this theory is that the counsellor should take the place of the clients. In assuming the position of the client, the therapist would be able to speak or enjoy his conversation with the client without necessarily putting the client in questions and answers session. In addition, the author of this view discouraged subjecting the client questioning because it affect the quality of relationship that the client would build with the therapists (Rogers, 1986). For example, during the counselling session, the client was incapable of answering some difficult questions, but she was free to express her failure to answer such questions. Such scenarios may make the client frown or be reluctant to answer more questions as well as volunteering more information about her problems. Largely, questioning tend to affect the view of the client towards the therapists. If the client-therapist relationship hinges on questioning, there is high likelihood that the client would be reluctant to open her mind and share her feelings. The client centred theory attempts to relieve the client from the present state and the future as opposed to the past (Lux, 2010). The past is irreversible, but the client can change the present and the future. Thus, by giving the client a chance to contribute towards the problems affecting her life and her perception of the solutions tend to affect outcome of the counselling. The client would look at the conditions as one that is not as hard as she had thought. In the case of this client, I failed to give the client a chance to contribute rationally in finding a solution to her conditions because I did not contribute as she told her story. The client centred theory gives the client the autonomy to contribute towards finding the solution to her conditions as well as developing strength to handle similar situation in future. There are several instances where I was consistent to the client centred theory. First, I initiated an environment that enabled the client to offer her views concerning the problems she was facing. The client centred theory is emphatic on building mutual relationship with the client (Joseph &Worsley, 2005). On the account of this requirement, the therapists should look at the client as her equal. Evidently, in the transcription, the I attempted to achieve this condition. In fact, I listened to the sentiments of the client, but failed to support the client after emotionalising the client’s problem. In this case, I failed to create an environment that would enable the client to open up and share her problems. The conversation between the client and I was not open enough to give courage to the client to speak her mind. Normally, people tend to gauge the response they receive when having conversations. Some clients fail to open up their therapists because they harbour fear about the kind of reception they would receive after sharing their problems. Likewise, in this case, the conversation broke an aspect that limited the client from expressing her case exclusively. The most appropriate approach of controlling the conversation without breaking is to empathise with the client, support her views, and limit ridicule thinking (Roberts, 2009). Arguably, the counsellor looked at the problem in terms of what the client avoid instead of helping the client build skills of limiting such challenges in the future. The level of client-therapists engagement was poor because the counsellor did not initiate rational argument where the client believes he or she has a chance in contributing to the solution of her problem. Having a rational conversation with the client is effective in finding solution to the client’s problems than the therapist generating solutions to the issue at stake (Joseph &Worsley, 2005). Contribution to the solution of the problem gives the client the power to fight such challenges in future. In fact, the client can apply the same trend to solve the same problems in the future. In essence, the client centred theory does not only focus on finding the present solution to the problem, but also lays the foundation for limiting such problems in the future. In terms of congruence in counselling, one would tell that I failed to attain the threshold for this requirement during the counselling exercises. I was genuine in my reaction towards the problems of the client, but failed to control her overwhelming emotion. To this extent, I thought beyond the condition presented thereby making the counselling exercise break before achieving its objects. As a requirement for the client centred theory, expressing genuine concern for the problem presented is necessary. However, the extent of expression of this concern is contestable in this case. For instance, the fact that the counsellor broke down in tears left the client puzzled about her condition. People often make inferences from what they see or action directed against them (Bryant-Jefferies, 2005). In this case, the client had presented a problem she was facing and anticipated guidance on how to manage the situation. Evidently, my concern was genuine, but the client did not receive the anticipated service because I was incapable of controlling the session. Thus, whereas I should be genuine my treatment to the client, controlling the situation is important because it enables the client to receive the right solution to her problems. Controlling one’s emotions is part of showing how genuine a person is (Roberts, 2009). The moment that the counsellor fails to control her emotions, it sends negative signals to the client. For example, the client might begin cursing herself, building negative opinion against self. This might include her inability to control the situation before it occurred. However, when the counsellor show genuine attention to the problem, but does not break in tears, the client would build the courage to continue speaking about the ugly incident. In this case, I was incapable of managing the client’s situation hence the client failed to achieve the right response to the problem she presented. I think personal values affected the application of the client centred theory during the counselling session. The attributes of the counsellor that affected the counselling session included inability to resist traumatising incidents, lack of courage to stand the problems of the client, and self-pity. Usually, the primary factor that influences a client into seeking counselling service is the need to find solution to the problem at stake. This need dictates the client or the person facing the challenges to look for someone or counsellor that can listen to the problems. In attempts to help the client, the therapist should not her personal attributes affect the quality of support she intends to offer to the client. In this case, I lacked the courage to contain the challenges facing the client. Instead, she became emotive before bursting into tears. Tolan (2012) insists that the courage that the counsellor shows during the sessions with the client tend to affect the views that the client would develop against the problem. Another personal attribute is to show self-pity when handling the client. The client should see that the counsellor is capable of handling the challenge instead of showing her inability to face the situation. In the counselling session, I behaved in a manner likely to suggest that she was in self-pity. Perhaps, I mistook genuine concern to the client for self-pity. In handling the client situation, building a good relationship important, but it should not let the counsellor become incapable of discussing the problem and generated ideas on how one can address such challenges. Largely, the moment that one begins to pity self instead of the client, the counselling session ceases to purse its intention. I think my attribute such as empathy were important in achieving the requirements for the client centred theory. Building a good relationship with the client was easy because the client could gauge the level of concern. In addition, frankness or genuine is an important attribute in defining the relationship between the therapists and client. The engagement between the client and the client could prosper than it did were it not for the emotional breakdown. In this case, the counsellor learns how to develop the strength of carrying the problems of the client during the counselling session without falling into the emotions of the client. In conclusion, client centred theory resonates around three values namely congruence in counselling, empathy, and treatment of the patient without any conditions. The essence of these values is to build good relationship between the therapist and the client. The relationship defines the solution as well as the ability of the client to volunteer information about her condition. In the transcription, I permeated an environment that encourages genuine care and support for the client. Nevertheless, the counsellor failed to contain the emotional words of the client. This limited the client from sharing the problem as well as engaging in a rational discussion that could enable the client to self-actualise. Largely, by emotionalising the problem, the counsellor failed to achieve the object of counselling. References Bryant-Jefferies, R. (2005).Workplace Counselling in the NHS: Person-centred Dialogues. New York: Radcliffe Publishing. Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counselling and Psychotherapy. New York: Cengage Learning. Gatingi, F., (2007).Person-centred approach in schools: Is it the answer to disruptive behaviour in our classrooms? Counselling Psychology Quarterly 20(2), 205-211. Joseph, S., &Worsley, R. (2005).Person-Centred Psychopathology: A Positive Psychology of Mental Health. Ross-on Wye: PCCS Books. Lux, M. (2010). The Magic of Encounter: The Person Centred approach and the neurosciences. Person Centred and Experiential Psychotherapies 9(4), 247-89. Roberts, R. A. (2009). Social Workers Desk Reference.Oxford: Oxford University Press. Rogers, C. (1986). Carl Rogers on the Development of the Person-Centered Approach. Person-Centered Review, 1(3), 257-259. Tolan, J. (2012).Skills in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy. London: SAGE. Tudor, E. L., Keith, T., Valentine, J., & Worrall, M. (2004).The person-centred approach. A contemporary introduction. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Appendix Transcript Client: So I guess what I want to talk about is something I have been trying to work through its to do with my sister who lives in London Counsellor (Me) hmmm Client: she is younger than me and I had to arrange to go and stay with her. But we were going on holidays on Wednesday so I arranged to go and see her on Saturday and she everything was getting on top of me like boys weren’t sleeping and I was really tired and was somehow getting emotional, and then I said to her look I cant come…… I have got my train ticket but it took a lot for me to say to her I cant come….. (me) hmmmmm Client : But I felt like I needed to put myself first in that situation so that was that hmmmmmm so, And the she send me a message saying emm ...oh..oh ...ahh.. What have I done to deserve a sister like you? Who lets you down all the time and this is the third time you have let me down and um... what have I done to deserve this treatment from you? You are the horrible and are selfish through and through there is only one word for you and that selfish ummmm…..so it really upset me (me) hmmmm client: I felt strong enough to stand by my decision that I shouldn’t go until oh well I didn’t go but until I spoke to my mum and dad about it (Me) hmmmmmmm Client: emmmmm and my dad was like ohhhhh you need to apologise to her you have really hurt her because you didn’t go (me) hmmmmmm Client: hmmmmmm, emmmmm (me) right I see client: Ahhhh its like --- then its like its all blown into a massive argument all because I didn’t go to London ammmmmmm then slience ……….. Client: So at the end I ended up apologising to keep my dad happy my mum happy and my 86 years old grandma ohhhhhhhahhh (me) uhmmmm client: hmmmmm then it was my little boy’s birthday and she hasn’t seen me or spoke to me since what happen and that was like in august so its like a while hmmmmm (me) hmmmmmm client: ohhhh then she called me and said ohhhhhh you haven’t even phoned me and said thank you for his presents and I said to her it was nothing I have just been busy and I was like thank you but my sister replied ohhhhh it means nothing now ohhhh then in the morning silence… (me) hmmmm client: my grandma rang and had a go at me ahhhhh and I have been trying to talk to my mum so I can say to her that I feel that I cant be myself and its like I am trying and pretending to be somebody else to make them happy or keep them together or hmmmm (me) hmmmmmm client: and it took a lot for me to be assertive and say Icant come and my mum sort of said ohhh well that’s not really assertive is it because you offended Rachel and you have hurt her so now…. Just the like thought of Christmas (me) ohhhhh client: so now the though of Christmas just makes me feel like running away from everyone and just starting again its really hard ……. (Silence for few seconds) (The client talks so I really don’t know what to do I really don’t) Me (counsellor): Do you think you should speak to your sister Client: Emmm I kind of tried but then deep down I feel really hurt really really hurt and I feel like that things now will never be the same because (few seconds silence)... Me: hmmmmmmm so Client: so yeah I feel really hurt I feel I cant and feel bad and I can only pretend for so long to keep ....... no matter what I say to her and what she says to me wont change anything now silence ………….. Me: why do you feel this way Client: ............mmmn I feel like what I am doing, what I am saying is too different, I feel like why am I in depression. And I don’t know why Me: mmmmm Client: What do you have to say about ……. At times am tired I am too tired--- tired! ................................ Me: its trouble Client......................(sob) Me: do you feel better, you to get sleep, take some water. No... Just a drink I don’t know what to say If you call your family Read More