EMOTIONAL

AND
PSYCHOLOGICA
L
COUNSELING
 Defined as professional activity of helping individuals, groups or communities enhance or
restore their capacity for psychological, emotional and social functioning and creating an
environment favorable for the attainment of these goals.
SKILLS AND
CHARACTERISTICS OF
COUNSELLING
1. EMPATHY
 Refers to the ability to perceive the clients feelings and to demonstrate accurate perception of
the client.
 It is putting oneself in the clients shoes
2. WARMTH
 Also known as unconditional positive regard.
 Involves accepting and caring about the client as a person, regardless of any evaluation or
prejudices on the client’s behavior or thoughts.
 It is most often conveyed through our non- verbal behavior or bodily gestures.
3.RESPECT
 It refers to the belief in the clients ability to make appropriate decisions and deal
appropriately with his or her life situation, when given a safe and supportive environment in
which to do so.
 It is often best shown by not offering advice or cheap comfort.
 The counselor shows his utmost respect to the client by listening in silence and giving him
the opportunity to design his own solutions to the problem.
4. CONGRUENCE
 Also known as GENUINENESS.
 It includes the act of being honest and authentic in dealing with the client.
 It is showing real concern rather than confusing on techniques during sessions.
 It is also being aware of the counselor’s own unmet needs and how it may affect his
relationship with the client
5. CONFIDENTIALITY
 It means anything discussed during counselling sessions is held absolutely private and not to
be discussed anywhere.
 This contract should be sacred so as to maintain the clients trust and enable him to disclose
sensitive matters to the counselor without fear of any breach of confidentiality.
WHEN TO BREAK
CONFIDENTIALITY
 Children are being neglected or abused
 Appearance in court as witness
 Client expressed plan to harm others
 Client expressed plan to commit suicide
PATTERN OF
COUNSELLING SESSION
I. INTRODUCTION: FIRST 10
MINUTES
 Greet the client warmly
 Smile and shake hands
 Escort to the counselling room
 Explain how the session is going to be to alleviate fears
 This is the time to develop rapport
 Assure clients of confidentiality
II. INFORMATION
GATHERING : ABOUT 20
MINUTES
 Know the reason for consultation
 Clients can start anywhere
 Counselors may take notes
 Client needs to do almost all of the talking
 Counselors may ask open questions or use techniques like clarifying, rephrasing, focusing,
reflecting, reality testing, etc.
III. DISCUSSION/ COUNSELOR
INPUT
 Counselor tells the clients what he thinks the client is saying
 Counselor develops a list of concerns
 Client would concur or not to the counselor’s understanding
 Prioritize problems and which one to work on first
 Clients will provide plans of action to work on specific problems.
 Counselors will assist in mapping out plans.
IV. CONCLUSION
 Motivate the client that “ he can do it”. If not, he may need to be referred to a professional.
 Brief client on what to expect the next session ( progress based on plan of action)
 End session on a positive note.
 Client should be able to list down things that he has to look forward to over next few days. If
not, this is a red flag for suicide.