Skills Used in Person Centred Counselling
ABC Level 3 Certificate in counselling skills
Assignment 8 ‘Definitions of Counselling skills’
Unit 3, Criterion 1.3
The skills used in counselling, vary from model to model, here are definitions of the skills used in person centred counselling, Attentiveness and rapport building
Being attentive means giving all of your physical attention to another person so that you are fully present for them. This will help you to notice what the client is NOT saying, by noticing their body language, and also their tone and pace of voice. The use of non-verbal cues and the counsellor’s own body language conveys to the client that he is interested in what the client has to say. (Bolton 1979). Managing silences from the client shows attentiveness, as sometimes clients will need silences to process what has been said, and allowing them the silence and time to do can help them find their own solution to the problem. (Course handout 2013).
The way that a counsellor sits during the session also shows attentiveness, by adopting the SOLER position.
S – Sit squarely (facing the client)
O – Adopt an open posture
L – Lean forward slightly at times
E – Maintain eye contact
R – Relax
By sitting squarely, the counsellor shows the client that he is ready to give the client his full attention, adopting an open posture, means not crossing arms or legs, which can create a ‘barrier’.
By leaning forward slightly the counsellor shows an interest in the client, and eye contact should be maintained but not staring as this can be un-nerving. Being relaxed helps both the client and the counsellor and makes for a better session.
Egan believed that if you can show the above behaviours to people, then they will feel that you are being supportive towards them. (Egan 2000).
Rapport Building
Rapport is the foundation of the counselling relationship; it helps to build trust, respect and a good feeling of comfort. (Cormier & Hackney 1993).
It is the ability to relate to others in a
Assignment 8 ‘Definitions of Counselling skills’
Unit 3, Criterion 1.3
The skills used in counselling, vary from model to model, here are definitions of the skills used in person centred counselling, Attentiveness and rapport building
Being attentive means giving all of your physical attention to another person so that you are fully present for them. This will help you to notice what the client is NOT saying, by noticing their body language, and also their tone and pace of voice. The use of non-verbal cues and the counsellor’s own body language conveys to the client that he is interested in what the client has to say. (Bolton 1979). Managing silences from the client shows attentiveness, as sometimes clients will need silences to process what has been said, and allowing them the silence and time to do can help them find their own solution to the problem. (Course handout 2013).
The way that a counsellor sits during the session also shows attentiveness, by adopting the SOLER position.
S – Sit squarely (facing the client)
O – Adopt an open posture
L – Lean forward slightly at times
E – Maintain eye contact
R – Relax
By sitting squarely, the counsellor shows the client that he is ready to give the client his full attention, adopting an open posture, means not crossing arms or legs, which can create a ‘barrier’.
By leaning forward slightly the counsellor shows an interest in the client, and eye contact should be maintained but not staring as this can be un-nerving. Being relaxed helps both the client and the counsellor and makes for a better session.
Egan believed that if you can show the above behaviours to people, then they will feel that you are being supportive towards them. (Egan 2000).
Rapport Building
Rapport is the foundation of the counselling relationship; it helps to build trust, respect and a good feeling of comfort. (Cormier & Hackney 1993).
It is the ability to relate to others in a
Bibliography: ABC level 3 certificate in Counselling Course 2013 Anon., 2010 Anon., 2012. Inspirational Solutions. [Online] Available at: http://www.inspirationalsolutions-nlp.co.uk/theimportanceofrapport.pdf Anon., 2012. London Deanery. [Online] Available at: http://www.faculty.londondeanery.ac.uk/e-learning/careers-advice/core_career_counselling_skills.pdf Egan, G., 1990. The Skilled Helper. 4th ed. California: Wadsworth. Hackney, L. C. &. H., 1993. he Professional Counsellor A process guide to helping. 2nd ed. Boston: Alan & Bacon. Rogers, c., 1980. A Way of being. Boston: Houghton & Mifflin.