COUNSELLING

A C Ludzu
 Broad objectives
To prepare learners to provide
effective counselling to clients
and their families.
 Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson
learners should be able to:
• Define counselling
• State the purposes of counselling
• Explain the principles of counselling
 Specific Objectives Ctd’

• Explain the qualities of a good

counsellor.
• Outline the factors that facilitates
and interfere with counselling.
 Definition
• Counselling is the act of helping
a client make his/her own
decision by providing unbiased
information and emotional
support.
 Definition Ctd’
• It is an advice and support that is
given to people to help them deal
with the problems and make
important decisions.
 Definition counselling Ctd’
Counseling is a means of working
with people in which you try to
understand how they feel and help
them decide what to do.
Counseling could be done to an
individual, couples and groups.
 Points to be observed when
providing Counseling
Provide enough time for Counseling.
Accept the client as he or she is
irrespective of life style such as bad
reputation in the community e.g. being a
drunkard, polygamist, prostitute e.t.c.
Provider to give basic facts according to
identified knowledge gaps on topic.
 Points to be observed when
providing Counseling Ctd’
• Recognize own Limitations (refer
whenever necessary if in doubt
or not sure)
 Purpose of counselling
• To give client correct information
e.g STI, HIV/AIDS etc.
• To help clients find solution to
their problems.
• Increases acceptance
• Increases client satisfaction
 Principles of counselling
• Truthful
• Right to make informed decision
• The process should be confidential
• Non judgemental
• Freedom of expression
• Auditory and visual privacy
Principles of counselling Ctd’
• The atmosphere must be receptive.
• Genuine communication.
• The environment must be
comfortable
• The counselor must recognize his/her
limitations and refer when necessary
Qualities of a good counsellor
A Counselor should have the
following qualities:
• Patience
• Friendliness
• Multicultural
• Respectful
Qualities of a good Counselor Ctd’
• Empathy
The ability of putting oneself in the situation
of the client feeling and experience
• Genuine
This is the ability to give time and attention
to the client as a real person; not just
someone in a professional role
 Qualities of a good Counselor
Ctd’
• Honesty: always telling the truth to the client.
• Flexible
• Understanding of his/her own
beliefs/biases so they do not enter into the
counseling process.
• Technically competent: being well-trained
and knowledgeable about Counseling.
Qualities of a good Counsellor Ctd’

• Sensitive to client’s needs and

concerns.
• Accepting
• Establishes rapport with the
client.
 Skills of Counselling
Asking Questions: Asking open ended
questions – open ended and closed – is a
very important skill. They can help a
person open or close up
Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing is when
you, the listener, restate attentively
what the speaker said – conveying
 Skills of counselling Ctd’
Active Listening: Active listening
happens when you “listen for meaning”.
The listener says very little but conveys
empathy, acceptance and genuineness.
Body Language: Developing
encouraging body language can take
some practice.
 Skills of counselling Ctd’
Receptive
Providing unbiased information
Reflecting feelings
Connecting
Simplifying language
 Counselling Skills Ctd’
Prompting
Repeating
Verbal communication skills.
“CLEAR”
Non- verbal communication
skills “R0LES”
 Skills of Counselling Ctd’
Both verbal and non-verbal
communication skills are crucial in
the counseling process.
The acronyms “CLEAR” and
“ROLES” help providers remember
appropriate behaviors during
counseling
 Skills of Counselling Ctd’

Appropriate verbal Behaviours:

• Clarify
• Listening
• Expression
• Ask
• Review
 Skills of counselling Ctd’
Appropriate Non-verbal Behaviors
• Relax
• Open and Approachable
• Lean towards client
• Eye contact
• Sit squarely and Smile
 Factors that facilitate
Counselling
• Adequate auditory and visual
privacy.
• Confidentiality
• Flexibility
• Empathy
• Accuracy of information
 Factors that facilitate
Counselling Ctd’
• Use of visual aids
• Language if common or understood by
everybody.
• Age
• Appropriate use of verbal and non –
verbal communication
• Respect and understanding
 Factors that interfere with
counselling
• Language barriers
• Age difference
• Educational background
• Values and beliefs
• Lack of privacy
• Lack of confidentiality
 YEBOOH

THE END !!!