PYC3705 Transformative Counselling encounters

Ok so WTF are we doing?

1. There are two assignments of easy multiple choice questions – 10 each in 2022, with multiple attempts allowed – this means that if you repeat the assignments you are pretty much guaranteed full marks.

2. To study and internalise the material, you create a massive journal. This is actually very useful and an important tool for becoming a counsellor. You may, or may not, be asked to upload it at the end of the academic year.

3. However journalling does not really prepare you for the exam itself. The exam is either going to be

1. just multiple choice,
2. or mainly multiple choice with a little bit of paragraph writing – nothing too complicated, but a very specific learning process.

This uncertainty means that you have to prepare for all three possibilities and that the final exam is probably going to be a total let-down and super-easy.

If the rest of your world is collapsing, don’t worry. In my opinion you could pass this module in your sleep.

However, if you want to include counselling in your future career, then the more you study this module, the better you will be prepared for actual work in the field.

Unit 1 Creating context

This unit is about the social context of the counselling relationship. Dealing with potential problems that clients may bring. Understanding the social context of both the problems and solutions.

Praxis = translate idea into action or actively creating reality together

Reflexive awareness through journaling shows you your own process and viewpoint relative to the subject matter. So it gives you insight into the relationship between your inner state and the subject matter.

In this unit, you are asked to start a journal and keep written evidence for doing each exercise as you go along.

Unit 2 Surveying contexts

Why are questions central to transformation?

1. Because of Complexity
2. and because imposed solutions often fail

1. Complexity: 3 types of complexity in tough problems

Tough problems are difficult to solve. In part because of their complexity:

1. Dynamic complexity: cause and effect are far apart in space and time. eg: racial inequality
   • So a systematic approach is needed – the causal network is much broader than the problem itself.
2. Social complexity: multiple players with multiple views an assumptions. eg: unemployment
   • So a Participative approach needed.
3. Generative complexity: The problem is a moving target. Old solutions stop working. The problem is constantly changing and responding. eg: crime
   • So a creative approach is necessary

2. Imposed solutions often fail because:

Unit 3 Holding the cracks

Essentials of relationship encounters

Unconditional positive regard helps form a relationship that fosters healing and growth.

When you are unconditional there is space to explore thoughts, feelings and experiences, as well as be sensitive and accept diversity.

When you are positive, this means you accept and show genuine caring.

Showing real warmth, empathy and willingness to understand encourages the development of trust.

You convey warmth with:

• body language
• posture
• eye contact
• personal space
• timing
• hospitality

This reassures and builds trust.

By valuing and accepting people, you show support for people, flaws, negative traits and all.

Listening

We need professional training to (1) manage ethical requirements and (2) have specific skills to help clients with their specific and general problems. But anyone can be a good listener.

• You can listen carefully and give good advice.
• You can listen and then help a person to make the right decisions.
• And you can listen in such a way that the client can look at themselves and their situations better.

How to listen:

1. Try to fully understand
2. Repeat back to the speaker and check for proper understanding
3. Summarise what you have heard
4. Explore the emotional side
5. Help the person explore solutions for themselves.

Notice if you are starting to get overwhelmed or exhausted, or when the person needs resources that you don’t have.

Call in help, refer people on, and share the load.

But don’t abandon ship. Just being present is enormously helpful!

Being a good-enough counsellor

Paulo Freire’s vision of love

Paulo Freire wrote very inspiringly on education and on liberation pedagogy.

The role of the helper/teacher/mentor:

• Unconditional love is similar to unconditional positive regard.
• Love is an active commitment
• Action for justice
• Respect
• Openness to being challenged
• dialogue is necessary
• People have to liberate themselves and grow themselves. No-one can do it for them.
• rights and responsibilities are reciprocal. ‘Your rights are my responsibilities. My rights are your responsibilities.’
• love is characterized by honesty, integrity and tolerance of differences.
• Integrity is about being true to the interior sense of justice, and taking an active standpoint against systems that oppress, dehumanise and silence.
• Inner strength comes from unity and togetherness. It is socially grounded. (see Ubuntu)
• Relationships are existential connections – inherently concerned with being and the nature of being.

Counselling facilitation as a way of being

Counselling is an event that involves shared life experiences.

Humans are social creations and creatures.

Personhood and community

The social context interacts with counselling in 3 ways:

1. Seeing a counsellor changes the client’s social world
2. The counsellor plays a social role: the healer/helper
3. The counselling relationship mirrors the participants social interactions outside the room.

Reciprocity and belonging

Ubuntu: A person is a person because of other people.

So reciprocity and recursiveness mean that:

Counselling as a discursive space

Discourse = conversation or discussion

Language is contextual. It has descriptors/signifiers(markers of identity) For example: “Cat” represents actual cat

Ch 5: Hosting encounters

Chapters 5 to 7 are about tools for counselling and working with the client.

Counselling has three parts:

1. Beginning (checking in)
2. Middle (dancing with change)
3. End (Checking out)

Beginning

During the checking in phase client and counsellor negotiate and explore how they will work together.

Contracting

Contracting means coming to an understanding about the counselling process – client expectation, duration, boundaries, protocols and procedures, such as how confidentiality will be maintained and appointment times etc…

Psychotherapists and registered psychologists offer long term counselling.

Lay counsellors, registered counsellors and social workers offer short term counselling – usually 1 to 6 sessions.

Endings

Ch 6 The middle

Crisis intervention

Crises are normal, but uncommon events and are usually short and acute

They can be due to internal causes eg: developmental transition or situational causes eg: accident.

Crisis intervention is aimed at:

1. creating safety
2. comfort and consolation
3. immediate care
4. goal orientation and practical support
5. facillitate reunion with loved ones
6. sharing the experience
7. linking the person to support and ongoing help
8. let people ventilate
9. helping people get some mastery

via GIPHY

Principles of a strength-based approach

• Don’t frame clients in terms of deficits, weaknesses and victimhood
• restore or improve coping
• help with problem-solving
• focus on client capabilities
• encourage to make their own decisions
• help prevent possible negative consequences of the crisis
• focus on problem-solving

It is important to act quickly, contain, and prevent further escalation or harm.

Ch7 The therapeutic relationship

Process notes/Case notes

These are your personal notes, and include thoughts, concerns, impressions and feelings.

Usually you make them immediately after the session.

Confidentiality

• Your notes need to be kept locked away and password protected.
• Only discuss clients during supervision.
• And as little info as is necessary during referrals to other support professionals.
• Courts may subpoena your case notes and counselling reports as evidence

Ch 8 Checking out

Each session ends with checking out.

The checking out process includes:

• summarising and reviewing
• contracting and arranging for future sessions
• a sense of closure and containment

The counselling relationship is also one that comes to an end and checking out of this relationship also includes a number of important steps to be done properly.

Ideally, key outcomes that signify the beginning of termination would include:

1. meeting key goals
2. the client feeling empowered to continue without further assistance
3. The client feeling able to access enough support outside of the counselling relationship

Termination is normally gradual and negotiated.

Good practice for the termination process include:

• summarising
• reviewing the plan for after counselling
• emphasising achievements
• normalising ambivalent feelings
• Being present with positive and celebratory feelings and thoughts
• Not glossing over the negatives or incomplete aspects of the the process.