Importance Of Lay Counselling
Lay counselling provides additional support that is not as structured or restrictive, and generally runs alongside professional counselling sessions. A lay counsellor is a trained individual who understands the importance of providing a listening ear, support and guidance and that sometimes this kind of help and understanding cannot be restricted to appointment times only. Whilst a lay counsellor has counselling knowledge this person may not work as a therapist or counsellor, and has acquired counselling skills as additional vocational experience (Martin, 2015).
Lay counsellors provide support to individuals experiencing emotional issues and problems. The level of training acquired will provide the lay counsellor with an understanding of how …show more content…
This often means that the service offered by a lay counsellor is somewhat limited and/or specific. Nonetheless, this additional support makes a valuable contribution towards helping individuals overcome emotional hardship and issues (Martin, 2015).
Increasing care through lay counselors or lay caregivers is both a biblically based ministry as well as one that has received much research support. Research shows that lay counselors are effective in helping people with their problems in living. There are at least five steps to follow (Enrichment Journal).
1. Choose an appropriate model of lay counseling ministry.
a. The informal, spontaneous model. People care for one another naturally and simply, without any further organized structure.
b. The informal, organized model. Lay counselors are specially selected, trained, and supervised, but they do their caring and counseling ministry in informal settings such as homes, restaurants, and hospitals.
c. The formal, organized model. Lay counselors are specially selected, trained, and supervised, but the caring and counseling ministry takes place by appointment in a more formal office setting or lay counseling …show more content…
They usually range from a minimum of 24 hours to 50 or more hours of training in basic listening and helping skills. The training sessions can be spread over several weeks to several months, meeting weekly or biweekly, for 2 to 3 hours each time. The number of lay counselor trainees for such an initial training program is usually limited from a few trainees up to 25.
Gary Collins, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors, has recommended that the following content areas be covered in any good training program for Christian lay counselors: basic Bible knowledge relevant to people-helping ministry; knowledge of counseling skills with opportunities for practice through role playing; basic understanding of common problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, and spiritual dryness; awareness of ethics and dangers in counseling; and knowledge of the importance and techniques of referral.
Lay counselors should also know how to obtain informed consent from counselees before starting lay counseling with them. Counselees also need to be made aware of limits to confidentiality, which usually include situations where there is child or elder abuse or danger to self or
Lay counsellors provide support to individuals experiencing emotional issues and problems. The level of training acquired will provide the lay counsellor with an understanding of how …show more content…
This often means that the service offered by a lay counsellor is somewhat limited and/or specific. Nonetheless, this additional support makes a valuable contribution towards helping individuals overcome emotional hardship and issues (Martin, 2015).
Increasing care through lay counselors or lay caregivers is both a biblically based ministry as well as one that has received much research support. Research shows that lay counselors are effective in helping people with their problems in living. There are at least five steps to follow (Enrichment Journal).
1. Choose an appropriate model of lay counseling ministry.
a. The informal, spontaneous model. People care for one another naturally and simply, without any further organized structure.
b. The informal, organized model. Lay counselors are specially selected, trained, and supervised, but they do their caring and counseling ministry in informal settings such as homes, restaurants, and hospitals.
c. The formal, organized model. Lay counselors are specially selected, trained, and supervised, but the caring and counseling ministry takes place by appointment in a more formal office setting or lay counseling …show more content…
They usually range from a minimum of 24 hours to 50 or more hours of training in basic listening and helping skills. The training sessions can be spread over several weeks to several months, meeting weekly or biweekly, for 2 to 3 hours each time. The number of lay counselor trainees for such an initial training program is usually limited from a few trainees up to 25.
Gary Collins, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors, has recommended that the following content areas be covered in any good training program for Christian lay counselors: basic Bible knowledge relevant to people-helping ministry; knowledge of counseling skills with opportunities for practice through role playing; basic understanding of common problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, and spiritual dryness; awareness of ethics and dangers in counseling; and knowledge of the importance and techniques of referral.
Lay counselors should also know how to obtain informed consent from counselees before starting lay counseling with them. Counselees also need to be made aware of limits to confidentiality, which usually include situations where there is child or elder abuse or danger to self or