The Importance of Self-Awareness in Counselling
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HOW DOES A COUNSELLOR DIFFER FROM A FRIEND?
Folashade Oloniyo
Abstract
In this essay, the characteristics of a counsellor and a friend will be expanded upon in order to gain a greater knowledge for deciphering the two.
We all have been in situations where we hit a brick wall in our life and are unsure of the next step or the next move to make. We have close friends to whom we can turn and reach out to, but in some situations, are they really our best option for help? Friends are needed for support on many levels, but on others, professional reinforcement may be of greater good. With that said, I challenge you the reader and ask the questions: What is counselling? How does a counsellor differ from a friend? In this essay, this topic will be further explored and expanded upon. I will give a greater understanding of both, and by doing so we will be able to more accurately decipher the two.
Let us begin by defining the question: What is a counsellor? “You may be surprised to find that there is no single definition of helping that holds true for all contexts,” (Peter Saunders (2011). First Steps in Counselling. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS BOOKS. P4.) I have found this statement to be accurate throughout my research of counselling, but I have also come across a few definitions that come close to summarising the practice. “Counselling is an activity freely entered into by the person seeking help, it offers the opportunity to identify things for the client themselves that are troubling or perplexing. It is clearly and explicitly contracted, and the boundaries of the relationship identified. The activity itself is designed to help self-exploration and understanding. The process should help to identify thoughts, emotions and, may offer the client a greater sense of personal resources and behaviours that, once assessed self-determine change.” (Janice Russell, Graham Dexter, Tim Bond. 1992 Differentiation Between Advice, Guidance,
HOW DOES A COUNSELLOR DIFFER FROM A FRIEND?
Folashade Oloniyo
Abstract
In this essay, the characteristics of a counsellor and a friend will be expanded upon in order to gain a greater knowledge for deciphering the two.
We all have been in situations where we hit a brick wall in our life and are unsure of the next step or the next move to make. We have close friends to whom we can turn and reach out to, but in some situations, are they really our best option for help? Friends are needed for support on many levels, but on others, professional reinforcement may be of greater good. With that said, I challenge you the reader and ask the questions: What is counselling? How does a counsellor differ from a friend? In this essay, this topic will be further explored and expanded upon. I will give a greater understanding of both, and by doing so we will be able to more accurately decipher the two.
Let us begin by defining the question: What is a counsellor? “You may be surprised to find that there is no single definition of helping that holds true for all contexts,” (Peter Saunders (2011). First Steps in Counselling. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS BOOKS. P4.) I have found this statement to be accurate throughout my research of counselling, but I have also come across a few definitions that come close to summarising the practice. “Counselling is an activity freely entered into by the person seeking help, it offers the opportunity to identify things for the client themselves that are troubling or perplexing. It is clearly and explicitly contracted, and the boundaries of the relationship identified. The activity itself is designed to help self-exploration and understanding. The process should help to identify thoughts, emotions and, may offer the client a greater sense of personal resources and behaviours that, once assessed self-determine change.” (Janice Russell, Graham Dexter, Tim Bond. 1992 Differentiation Between Advice, Guidance,
Bibliography: (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. (2009). Ethical Principals of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Available: http://www.bacp.co.uk/ethical framework/ethics.php. Last accessed 20th Jan 2012.) (Virginia M. Axline (1967). Dibs in Search of Self. New York: Ballantine Books. P80.) (Janice Russell, Graham Dexter, Tim Bond. 1992 Differentiation Between Advice, Guidance, Befriending, Counselling Skills and Counselling. Advice, Guidance and Counselling Lead Body) (Journal entry December 6, 2011) (Peter Saunders (2011). First Steps in Counselling. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS BOOKS. P4.) (Peter Saunders (2011). First Steps in Counselling. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS BOOKS. P36) (wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn)