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Introduction to the Counseling Profession
Chapter 1
Therapeutic Alliance and the Helping Relationship
Chapter Topics
What is a Helping Relationship?
Individuals who can be defined as “helpers” are those that work to promote the wellbeing of mankind.
The therapeutic alliance is what sets the counseling profession apart from other helping professions.
The therapeutic alliance is what allows clients to open up to counselors on a level that they cannot do with others.
What is a Helping Relationship?
What are the characteristics of a positive helping relationship?
• It provides a safe and protective environment for clients.
• It encourages collaboration.
• It is a mutual relationship and each person is an active participant.
• Clients can identify with their counselors.
• Client and counselor have an agreement on goals and procedures.
• Counselors act as role models.
Counselor Characteristics
What are the characteristics of effective helpers?
Effective counselors:
Are self-aware and compassionate. Can use themselves as vehicles of change. Are committed to understanding the field. Like helping people. Are committed to freeing rather than controlling the client. Are open to a full range of experiences and feelings. Can maintain professional boundaries. Are culturally responsive.
Therapeutic Alliance
What is the therapeutic alliance?
The therapeutic alliance is a one-way relationship with the purpose of resolving a concern and/or fostering the personal growth of one person -- the client.
The therapeutic alliance is built on mutual respect and trust.
The therapeutic alliance is independent of the theoretical orientation or type of treatment.
Therapeutic Alliance
What are the goals of the therapeutic alliance?
Changes in behavior and lifestyle.
Increased awareness, insight, or understanding.
Relief from suffering.
Changes in thoughts and self-perceptions.
Therapeutic Alliance
What are the essential components of the therapeutic alliance?
The Core Conditions Congruence
Unconditional Positive Regard
Empathic Understanding
Additional Elements
CommitmentRespectTrustConfidentialityBenevolent power
Basic Skills and Concepts
Microskills
Attending behaviors
Eye Contact Attentive Body Language Distance Vocal Tone Verbal Tracking
Basic Skills and Concepts
Basic Listening Skills
Active Listening
Client Observation Verbal Behavior Encouraging, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing Reflection of Feelings Questions Concreteness
Basic Skills and Concepts
Self-Attending Skills
Self-Awareness Centering and Relaxing Nonjudgmental Attitude Toward Self Nonjudgmental Attitude Toward Others Communicating Genuineness Cultural Competence Humor Touch
Basic Skills and Concepts
Advanced Skills and Concepts
Advanced Empathy Self-Disclosure Confrontation Immediacy
Basic Skills and Concepts
Action Skills
The goal of counseling is to have a client come away from the process changed.
This growth or change often entails the counselor and client working together on an action plan appropriate to the client's stated goals.
These action plans should grow out of the counseling work itself and be based in part on the theoretical orientation of the counselor and what is considered the standards for practice in the profession.
Basic Skills and Concepts
Termination Skills
It is important to leave time to discuss feelings about ending the therapeutic alliance.
For a smooth termination, it is important for both individuals to know when the last session will occur.
Termination may occur either by mutual agreement or prematurely (that is, before all goals of counseling are met).
Basic Skills and Concepts
Termination Skills
When termination is mutual or initiated by the counselor:
There should be discussion and evaluation of the goals that have already been reached.
Counselors should provide encouragement, which may include a reminder of the client’s strengths and new coping strategies, as well as who is included in his or her support system.
Basic Skills and Concepts
Termination Skills
Closure issues and feelings need to be discussed and clients need to be prompted to explain how they will transfer their new insights to future events.
Clients should be prepared for self-reliance and continued self-help.
The termination process should not focus on the generation of new problems or issues, but rather on an appreciation of the growth that has already occurred.
