Diploma of Counselling & Community Service Work

Lesson 4CHCCSL503B:FACILITATE THE COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP

PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES

By the end of this presentation you will

have knowledge and understanding of:

• Bringing the counselling process to an

end

• Addressing the need for further

support

• Fulfilling documentation requirements

ENDING THE COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP

The counselling process may end for a variety of reasons. It may be

a client directed decision, counsellor initiated or the result of an

organisational issue or requirement.

• Referral is required for further progress to be likely

• The counsellor leaves their role or transfers to another area

• Organisational funding or procedures (such as limitations on

session numbers) dictate when services are terminated

ENDING THE COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP

Typically one of the following scenarios occurs to prompt case

closure…

The client takes active steps to end the relationship because:

o They feel their needs have been meet

o They feel in control of the issue and no longer want support to

deal with it

o They choose to stop, regardless of whether progress has been

made

Continued…

ENDING THE COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP

• The counsellor assesses that the

desired outcomes have been

achieved

• Referral is required for further

progress to be likely

• The counsellor leaves their role or

transfers to another area

• Organisational funding or

procedures (such as limitations on

session numbers) dictate when

services are terminated

DETERMINE WHEN TO END THE COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIPTo inform a case closure decision, counsellors should consider the following key factors: Factor 1: Client's needs – has the client made adequate progress and shown suitable levels of autonomy?

Factor 2: Organisational policy – are there limits to the number of sessions available to a client? Are there certain client issues that organisational policy states must be referred or offered alternative support options?

Factor 3: Funding arrangements – is there conditions on the funding arrangements of the organisation? Is a client required to meet a certain criteria or are counselling sessions capped at a particular number per client?

Factor 4: Waiting lists – Is there a waiting list that cannot exceed certain numbers? Are referrals required to meet a certain demand or mandated requirement?

DETERMINE WHEN TO END THE COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP

In addition, counsellors should:

• Review the sessional information relating to the case

• Discuss the case with a supervisor or colleague

• Inform the client and ensure they understand what is about to

happen

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including

maintaining relevant documentation and storing archived files

DETERMINE WHEN TO END THE COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP

In Sheafor and Horejsi’s (2010) model of the helping process ending

the counselling process is part of the final evaluation and

termination stage.

It consists of three parts:

• Evaluate overall progress

• Bring the relationship to an end

• Give feedback to the agency about how the services and

programs might be improved

EVALUATE OVERALL PROGRESS

• Reflecting on the change the client has made is a positive way to

begin ending the counselling relationship.

• Take time to reflect on the positive changes that have been made

and the important issues and awareness that have emerged

during the counselling alliance.

• Progress should be clear and reiterate client strengths and

resources.

BRING THE RELATIONSHIP TO AN END

Maidment (2009, pp. 272) suggests that the following key tasks be

completed in relation to ending the counselling relationship:

• “Affirming any positive changes that have occurred during the

intervention, no matter how small

• Drawing attention to client’s internal and external resources

• Reiterating the connection between the personal and political

dimensions of presenting issues

• Providing information about how to access resources in the future

• Acknowledging the specific learning and experience that work

with the client has contributed to your practice”

GIVE FEEDBACK

Once a counsellor-client relationship has ended, it is important for

counsellors to reflect on their practice. Seek feedback but also offer

feedback in relation to processes, programs and procedures, thus

creating and/or maintaining the cycle of continuous improvement.

ADDRESS NEED FOR FURTHER SUPPORT

When termination is initiated in

response to a client requiring

further specialist support, it is

important that the client is offered

services that best suit their

existing needs.

REFERRING AND TRANSITIONING TO SPECIALIST SERVICES

Specialist services may include, but are not limited to:

• Support groups

• Psychoeducational programs

• Residential programs

• Drug and alcohol services

• Gambling support programs

• Domestic violence counselling

• Supported accommodation

• Mental health workers

• Individual counselling

• Psychologists

• Assessment services

• G.P.s

FOLLOWING UP ON SPECIALIST SERVICES

It is important that transition processes maximise the likelihood

of client engagement and foster a long-term approach to care

and support.

FOLLOWING UP ON SPECIALIST SERVICES

Counsellors need to:

• Keep in contact with client and

significant other to prevent

relapses or recurring issues

• Help client maintain their own

level of independence and

normalcy.

• Negotiate the level of contact

required to maintain client self-

determination and control whilst

still enabling a case work

support role in after-care

progress.

FULFIL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

When case closure occurs, counsellors are required to keep

records of the following:

• Initial presenting problems

• Reason for termination

• Summary of the client’s progress

• Issues left unaddressed

• Attempts to locate the client

• The client’s presentation at intake and termination

FULFIL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

Often, agencies will have

their own documentation

procedures for effectively

completing case closure.

Right is a sample summary

sheet that includes typical

information that counsellors

record in the process of case

closure.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY

Now that you have completed this presentation you should have

acquired knowledge and understanding of:

• How and when to bring the counselling process to an end

• How to address the need for further support

• How to fulfil documentation requirements for case closure

REFERENCES

• Geldard, D. & Geldard, K. (2005). Basic personal counselling: A

training manual for counsellors (6th ed.). Frenchs Forest NSW:

Pearson.

• Ivey A. E., Ivey, M. B. & Zalaquett, C. P. (2013). Intentional

interviewing and counseling: Facilitating client development in a

multicultural society (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage.

• Maidment, J. (2009). Understanding endings: Evaluation and

termination. In J. Maidment & R. Egan (Eds). Practice skills in social

work and welfare. More than just common sense (2nd ed., pp 261 –

274). Crows Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.

• Sheafor, B. W. & Horejsi, C. R. (2010). Techniques and guidelines for

social work practice (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

PHOTO CREDITS• www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ourservices/clinicaldepartments

• www.powerofmind.com.au/affordable-counselling

• www.trainstation.net.au

• www.anniecreativetherapy.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/5718?opendocument&part=4

• www.arttherapyblog.com/what-is-art-therapy/#.Vaw9ME0w9aQ

• www.blackthornbookkeeping.com/creative-writing

• visionpsychology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Mindfulness.jpg