DEFINITION OF COUNSELLING TRAINING PROGRAM

Counseling is a helping process where one person ,explicitly

and purposefully gives his/her time ,attention and skill to assist a
client to explore the situation ,identify solutions within the
limitations of their given environment.

ATTRIBUTES AND SKILL REQUIRED OF A COUNSELLOR

For effective counseling the counselor needs to demonstrate certain
attitude ,skills and knowledge. 

There are two types of counselors attributes:-

1. PRE TRAINING ATTRIBUTES
2. INTER TRAINING ATTRIBUTES

 PRE TRAINING ATTRIBUTES

1. SELF AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING
A person who has awareness of her needs, motivation for helping ,feelings,
personal strength and weakness acts as a good counselor.
2. GOOD PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
Although no persons is totally problem free but a person with less problems or
good psychological health can be trained to be counselor.
3. SENSITIVITY
A person who is aware of resources ,limitations and vulnerability of other
persons feelings and need are considered to have sensitivity.
4. OPEN MINDNESS
A person who is free from fixed or pre occupied ideas .They are aware of
their own values and beliefs and are able to distinguish them from the beliefs
and values of others.
5. THRUST WORTHINESS
A person who is reliable ,honest and does not hurt other persons. He/She
keep the information to herself.
6. APPROACHABILITY
The counselor who is friendly has positive attitudes about others and can be
approached without a feeling of apprehension.

 INTER TRAINING ATTRIBUTES

A counselor need to have skills in interviewing .Infact without these skills a
counselor cannot counsel. Stewart Etal have identified 5 components of
interviewing skills.
1. INTERVIEW SETTING AND GREETING STARTED
A. PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENT
The chairs should face each other with a learning facility for both. The
closeness of counselor helps in indicating the attentiveness
B. GREETINGS
A warm and friendly greeting facilitate the helping process. Shaking hands
with the individual or greeting with a smile
C. INVITING THE INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION
Counselor should not waste time on rituals like “oh”,Todays climate is very
good etc.But should start the interview by asking the individuals why they
have come for counseling .simple statements such as “ so may I help you”?
or “What should you like to discussed.
 D. MAINTAINING EYE CONTACT
Eye contact helps in building personal relationship and permits the counselor
to observe non verbal behavior.

E. DEMONSTRATING PROPER BODY POSTURE

An attentive and relaxed counselor helps in building intimate atmosphere. A
mobile posture Allows freedom to movement and ability to use the body to
assist in communications.

CHARACTERISTICS OR QUALITIES OF A COUNSELLOR

 INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
1. Friendly nature
2. Sympathetic, understanding
3. Sincerity
4. Patience
5. Tactfulness
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality
7. Respects clients attitudes and needs
8. Attentive listener
9. Speaks in clients languages
10. Capacity for being trusted by others