The Elements of Counseling

by Meier, Scott T.; Davis, Susan R.

• ISBN13: 9780534366407
• ISBN10: 0534366406
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-02-24
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

This brief, practical, nuts and bolts primer of counseling covers the basic elements of counseling in an abbreviated outline format. Meier presents information that is essential for beginning counselors to know and for experienced counselors to remember, including what counseling is as well as what it is not. This handy reference focuses on relationship building, the counseling process, and self-exploration, the foundation upon which further intervention is laid. This book is unique in that it is not intended to be the primary text for a course, but is rather a quick reference for both counselors in training and practitioners, designed to give them immediate access to information without having to read pages of commentary.

Table of Contents

1 Setting the Stage: Counseling Process	1	(22)
Make personal contact	2	(1)
Develop a working alliance	3	(1)
Explain counseling to the client	4	(3)
Pace and lead the client	7	(3)
Speak briefly	10	(1)
When you don't know what to say, say nothing	11	(1)
You may confront as much as you've supported	12	(1)
If you want to change something, process it	13	(1)
Individualize your counseling	14	(1)
Notice resistance	15	(2)
When in doubt, focus on feelings	17	(2)
Plan for termination at the beginning of counseling	19	(2)
Arrange the physical setting appropriately	21	(2)
Dress appropriately	21	(1)
Attend to physical space	21	(1)
Conduct counseling in a quiet setting	21	(1)
Avoid interruptions and distractions	21	(1)
Be prompt	22	(1)
Invest in a box of tissues	22	(1)
Remember confidentiality	22	(1)
2 Strategies to Assist Clients in Self-Exploration	23	(13)
Avoid advice	23	(1)
Avoid premature problem solving	24	(2)
Avoid relying on questions	26	(1)
Listen closely to what clients say	27	(2)
Pay attention to nonverbals	29	(1)
Focus on the client	30	(2)
Be concrete	32	(2)
Utilize metaphors	34	(1)
Summarize	34	(2)
3 A Few Mistaken Assumptions	36	(8)
Agreement does not equal empathy	36	(1)
Do not assume that changes is simple	37	(1)
Positive thinking does not equal rational thinking	38	(1)
Make psychological assessments, not moral judgements	39	(1)
Do not assume that you know client's feelings, thoughts, and behaviors	40	(1)
Do not assume that you know how clients react to their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors	41	(3)
4 Important Topics	44	(24)
Develop crisis intervention skills	44	(6)
Take control of the situation	47	(1)
Determine the real client	47	(1)
Emphasize strengths	48	(1)
Mobilize social resources	49	(1)
Pay attention to issues of gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation	50	(3)
Be open to group and family approaches	53	(1)
Refer carefully	54	(2)
Watch for deterioration in clients	56	(1)
Establish an interest in counseling research	57	(1)
Document your work	58	(1)
Persevere with no-shows	59	(2)
Learn how to conceptualize clients	61	(2)
Learn about managed care	63	(2)
Develop technology skills	65	(3)
5 Counselor, Know Thyself	68	(9)
Become aware of your personal issues	68	(5)
How did you decide to become a counselor?	68	(1)
With what emotions are you uncomfortable?	69	(1)
What amount of progress is acceptable?	70	(1)
How will you deal with your clients' feelings for you?	70	(1)
How will you handle your feelings for your clients?	71	(1)
Can you be flexible, accepting, and gentle?	72	(1)
Be open to supervision	73	(1)
Don't hide behind testing	74	(1)
On ethical questions, consult	75	(2)
6 A Brief Introduction to Intervention	77	(18)
Basic counseling texts	78	(1)
Person-centered counseling	79	(1)
Behavioral counseling	80	(1)
Cognitive, cognitive/behavioral counseling, and social learning theory	80	(2)
Gestalt counseling	82	(1)
Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic counseling	83	(2)
Existential counseling	85	(1)
Group counseling	85	(1)
Family/systems counseling	86	(2)
Brief therapy	88	(2)
Research on counseling and psychotherapy	90	(3)
Other important sources	93	(2)
References	95	(16)
Index	111