Counseling

What is Counseling?

There are a number of things that it is generally agreed that counseling is, and a number of others that it is not.

Counseling is:

The process that occurs when a client and counselor set aside time to explore difficulties which may include the stressful or emotional feelings of the client.

The act of helping the client to see things more clearly, possibly from a different view-point. This can enable the client to focus on feelings, experiences or behavior, with a goal of facilitating positive change.

A relationship of trust. Confidentiality is paramount to successful counseling. Professional counselors will usually explain their policy on confidentiality. They may, however, be required by law to disclose information if they believe that there is a risk to life.

Counseling is not:

Giving advice.

Being judgemental.

Attempting to sort out the problems of the client.

Expecting or encouraging a client to behave as the counselor would behave if confronted with a similar problem in their own life.

Getting emotionally involved with the client.

Looking at a client’s problems from your own perspective, based on your own value system.

What is Counseling:Format

There are different formats through which the counseling sessions can take place, The client is free to choose a format that suits and fits his needs the best. Below are the popular counseling formats that people mostly favor:

In-Person: Face-to-face counseling sessions take place in the counselor’s chamber where you meet them in person after scheduling an appointment to discuss your problems. It is one of the most popular counseling formats.

Group Counseling: Professionals provide group counseling sessions where you can join to address the issues. Joining such a group will help you find people with similar problems and you will be able to develop a strong network of support as well. However, if you wish to focus on your problem, in-person sessions are better.

Telephonic Sessions: A great alternative to in-person counseling sessions are telephonic rounds that can be scheduled from the comfort of your home. Telephonic counseling rounds are best for busy individuals who might find it difficult to get into the chambers. In this flexible process, you can discuss the problems with the counselor in a secure environment from your room.

Online Counseling: If you wish not to meet your counselor face to face and protect your anonymity, you have the option to email the counselor. In this process, you have the scope to think well and decide which of the problems you want to discuss with him. The online counseling trend is becoming much more popular these days.

What is the Counseling Process ?

When a person seeks counseling, he or she suffers from something serious be it mental issues, emotional problems, or family problems. The process isn’t rushed but rather involves a systematic evaluation that includes a detailed process.

The counseling process involves a step-by-step approach and the counselor conducts it in a way to make sure that his client is comfortable with the process. Let’s have a look at the five crucial stages of a counseling process.

1: Building a Warm Relationship

When you are hitting up a counselor to discuss your problems, you ought to suffer from any serious issue concerning academics, relationships, career, or anything else. The first thing your expert does is to make yourself comfortable around him/her. He focuses on developing a warm relationship and mutual trust first to make sure you do not hesitate while speaking about the problems you are facing.

2: Analysis

Now comes the second part, which is assessment. In this stage, the professional encourages you to speak in detail about your problems to grab the roots of the problem. He observes every minute detail from how you are speaking to your reactions to certain questions that might come from his end. Once he assesses the problem, the goal is fixed.

3: Setting the Goal

After a thorough evaluation of your problems, now comes the significant section of goal setting. Considering the issues you are facing, the counselor sets a goal. That can be either you overcoming the problem or reconciling with it.

4: Plan of Action

The counselor plans an action for you to practice to see the results. Suppose someone has public speaking fear, The expert might ask him to practice speaking in front of the mirror. This is just an instance. Once you go through the plan for the desired tenure, he assesses your improvement. If things seem normal, you are at the final stage! If not, he might design something different.

5: Overcoming the Problem

As I mentioned in the previous point, after you follow the plan of action the consequent results are taken into consideration. If things seem to go in the right direction and you start feeling relaxed, yes! You have achieved your goal.

What are the types of Counseling ?

The counseling types are numerous and here we will be discussing a few of them.

Mental Health Counseling

A mental health counselor is responsible for providing the people with support who are going through any emotional distress like fear of something, anxiety, depression, or frustration. There are different causes when people need mental health counseling that may include, extensive grief, supreme anger issues, addiction to something, family issues, eating disorders, and so on. After talking to the clients about the problems, mental health counselors try and provide them ways to overcome this situation and nurture their well-being.

Career Counseling

A little different from the traditional counseling processes, career counseling means providing aspirants with career guidance and showing them the right path towards a bright career according to their areas of interest and skills. The career counseling curriculum is designed to guide people in selecting, changing, or leaving a career and can be availed at any stage of life. A career counseling expert assesses your aptitude, personality, and interests to suggest you the best career option.

Certified career analyst is a leading course to become a career counselor in India.

Rehabilitation Counseling

The rehabilitation counseling process helps people with disabilities fulfill their goals and lead an independent life with complete participation in the community. This is a systematic method to help people with emotional, physical, cognitive, and mental disabilities accomplish their life goals and live a cherishable life. The rehabilitation counselors support the concerned people to overcome psychological disabilities.

Relationship Counseling

Also known as couples therapy, people seek such counseling when something serious affects their love life. People choose to go for relationship counseling for various reasons including the desire to have a stronger relationship with the partner or spouse, issues emerging from disagreement, unhealthy abuses, something hectic that affected their lives, etc. A relationship therapist helps the couple to overcome the problems they are facing and enter into a long-term commitment.

What are the Benefits of Counseling?

Counseling may have the following advantages:

Peace of mind

Counseling changes one’s thoughts and brings peace of mind. By eliminating negative thoughts, the person can think clearly. The person understands how to take his life forward and how to involve himself in other people.

Self-awareness and introspection

The main purpose of counseling is to make the person aware of self-confidence and encourage them to do their work. If the person fails to do some work, the counselor helps you in understanding your problem in detail and then gives suggestions to improve your mistakes.

Helpful in decision making

Counseling helps a person share his thoughts with the expert and focus on your goals. Apart from this, you can make thoughtful decisions on any matter, whether for work or family, etc.

Venting space

Everyone has something to say, and when people keep their thoughts bottled up inside, it creates tension inside them. In this situation, counseling is beneficial as the person can share his thoughts and problems that may reduce stress.

Improving self-esteem, self-confidence, and social skills

Having low self-esteem is a common problem. Some people are afraid to put their thoughts in front of others due to the fear of judgment. Therapy helps enhance a person’s sense of self-respect so that he can overcome anxiety and recognize the power inside him. It also helps him express his thoughts with family members, peers, co-workers, and acquaintances without any hesitation.

Acceptance beyond all rights and mistakes

Counseling helps a person achieve his goal. Apart from this, it helps in providing knowledge about the rights of the person and having the courage to accept the mistake done by the person.

Reducing anxiety

A good counselor knows that if a person has anxiety, he will not be able to share anything openly. To get rid of the person’s anxiety, the counselor will understand his problems and solve them. The counselor tries to get the person out of his grief so that he can live his life happily and his mind feels good.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of counseling?

Perhaps the three main approaches are psychodynamic, humanistic and behavioral. Each of these has a different theory and ideas underpinning it, and the therapists and counselors using each will approach problems and issues in different ways. These three main approaches each support a number of individual therapies.

Why is counseling important?

Counseling provided by trained professionals can make a profound impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities. This service helps people navigate difficult life situations, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, natural disasters, school stress and the loss of a job.

What is the scope of counseling?

Counseling is aimed at helping the individual in solving problems that are already present, preventing the occurrence of problems in future and also enhancing personal, social, emotional, educational and vocational development. Thus, Counseling has remedial, preventive and developmental aspects.

What is the best age for career counseling?

Although career counseling sessions can be sought at any point in a person’s life, the ideal age is 13 to 17 years. Generally, 13-14 year old students have a hard time choosing a career. This is the time they enter into real life where they need to make decisions.

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