Couselling Process

The Counseling Process The counseling process is a continuous, cyclical model in which the counselor and client collaboratively set goals, formulate actions plans, and assess progress toward the goal(s). Throughout the process new information is integrated, the counselor-client relationship is developed, and progress toward counseling goals is reassessed. The counselor must develop an overall awareness of the entire counseling process across a number of interviews. In consultation with the supervisor, students will be asked to approach the model presented here by concentrating on particular points in the model during each semester, and relating these to the overall process. The model presented below represents a series of overall goals and expectations for the counselor as he/she progresses through a series of interviews with a client. 1. Counselor structures the initial interview, helping the client to define problem(s), and develops initial hypotheses. This format is continued to some extent in each interview, Counselor demonstrates care and strives to develop a trusting collaborative relationship with the client. Counselor tests hypotheses; develops an interaction between problem definition and information elicited from client. Counselor and client seek new information: includes additional testing, campus and community resources, career information and opportunities, college bulletins and psychoeducational materials. Counselor and client make decisions about desired behavior change. Counselor helps client to set goals and behavioral objectives for behavior change. Counselor assists client in developing plan of action to resolve problem and reach objectives. Counselor is aware of and communicates own expectations of the counseling process to the client. Counselor is able to appropriately terminate an individual interview, including a summary of important information gathered and agreed upon action plan for client. Counselor and client assess procedure and