GIRLIE FAITH M.

BROZAS
MAED Guidance I
DR. JOSEPHINE TAN
Educ 841 Problems in Guidance

“Building Trust with Counselling Clients” Article Analysis

One of the most important first practices when meeting a client for counselling is
having a good relationship with him/her to build trust for a better, easier and more effective
counselling journey. Because if the client doesn’t build confidence with the counselor, s/he
will have a hard time speaking up.

This article published by Bradley University with no specific writer is important

because it pointed out three major things that need to be considered when building a
relationship with clients and why it is important to do so. First, it suggests to connect with the
client. This article agreed to what Counseling Today, a publication of the American
Counseling Association (ACA), stated that potentials of any technique or model a counselor
uses will be limited severely if the professional will be not be able to build a strong,
therapeutic alliance with the client. Characteristics of a counselor plays an important role in
achieving this goal particularly being. This article underscored it, also giving emphasis on
being truly engaged in the interaction, also showing unconditional positive regard for the
person and not only have these attitudes but clearly express them.

The second thing this article has mentioned is to demonstrate desire to understand.
Being able to understand your client is also one of the keys to a successful counselling.
Letting him/her know you understand him/her gives her the confidence to trust you actually
know what is going on. This article emphasizes the importance of active listening. I also like
how this article encouraged counsellors to not necessarily build “friendship” with the client
but to always keep it professional. Discussing irrelevant topics lie outside the counsellor’s
concern and are therefore not necessary to be tackled because to the article, the therapeutic
relationship is always for the purpose of promoting the well-being in clinical terms.
Everything a counselor does requires theoretical intent and a commitment to wellness.
Therefore, touching these irrelevant concerns of the client such as movies or trips is only a
waste of time. Furthermore, counselors remaining aware of their emotions and avoiding
countertransference such as stating “you remind me of” or “you make me feel” being
discouraged is also a good point.

Therefore, as to building trust and concern with the client, this article was success in
reminding counselors that it is much important to build a relationship with the client only that
it should never be too much personal that counselors will already forget to be professional.
Professionalism must always be applied.