Introduction to Counseling

Associate Professor Dr. Saedah A. Ghani

Counseling Program Faculty of Leadership and Management Islamic Science University Of Malaysia

INTRODUCTION
Definition of Counseling Shertzer & Stone Counselling is a process of interactions that enable individuals to understand themselves and situation

Mohd. Yunus Mohd Noor Counselling is a two-way communication between a counselor trained to help a man trapped in a situation that is difficult or can not be resolved

The purpose of Counseling

Counseling aimed at helping individuals to: 1. Observed patterns of life and balance it with the stage of the self development 2. To analyze the behavior : of constructive and destructive 3. Promoting the need for change 4. Adjusting talent and career aspects of education 5. Aware of the resistance forces and trials of life

Cont.. 6. Familiarize themselves with the life : decipline 7. Has his own coping skills 8. Have the skills to make decisions 9. Improving relations with the members of the community

PRINCIPLES AND PHILOSOPHY OF COUNSELING

Cribbin (1955) and McGowen and Schmick (1962) introduce the same guidance philosophy in counseling: 1. Counselling is based on the recognition of the Dignity and self esteem of an individual and his right to seek help.

Cont..
2. Counselling is concerned at the overall optimal development of the individual 3. Counselling must respect the individual's right to accept or to reject the help and service given 4. Counseling revolves around cooperation rather than coercion 5. Counseling conducted by trained personnel in the field of counseling 6. The focus of counseling is to help individuals recognize and utilize the potential and capabilities and not solving problems

Cont.. Patterson (1971) menyenaraikan kaunseling principles as follows: 1. Changes in client behavior based on the client's own willingness 2. Giving freedom, choice and autonomy to the clients 3. Restrictions stated in counseling like values, goals, ethics and the role of counselors / client

Cont.. 4. Counseling is conducted through the process and communication counseling or interviewing counseling 5. The hearing process with the active listening in counseling 6. Counselors understand the client 7. Counseling is run in a special room confidential 8. Counselors is competent in handling client's psychological problems

SPECIALISATION IN COUNSELING PROFESSION

1. School counseling 2. Mental Health counseling (hospital) 3. Community counseling (Counseling Centre Bandar Tun Razak) 4. Marital and family Counseling 5. Rehabilitation Counseling (Tunas Harapan) 6. Counseling for the elderly - geriatric (elderly Center Cheras)

Cont.
7. Career counseling 8. College counseling 9. College and University Counseling 10. Crehabilitation counseling - Correctional (prisons) 11. Religious Counseling - pastoral (Brickfield Buddhist Center) 12. Counseling for alcohol and drug (Serenti Centre) 13. Muiti cultural counseling 14. Counseling for creativity

COUNSELING RELATIONSHIP
An effective counseling will occur if there is a dynamic relationship between counselors and clients CHARACTERISTICS OF A DYNAMIC COUNSELING RELATIONSHIP 1. Facilitative relationship is the situation that clients feel safe, and do not feel threatened which allow clients to self disclose and self exploration.

Cont..
2. More focused on the affective aspects (feelings) rather than cognitive (mind) - personal and unique. 3. Dynamic - special - both the counselors and the client to be open and transparent

4. Limited in the counseling process and do not proceed to social relationship outside the counseling sessions
5. Confidential between counselors and client

THE ROLE OF THE COUNSELOR

In realizing the dynamic of the counseling relationship the role of counselors are : A. EMPATHY

- Understand the thoughts, feelings, experiences and treatment from the perspective of the client. - Understand implied meanings of words which expressed by the client - Understand the clients internal frame of reference

EXAMPLE:
Client: I am being used by my friend. But I can not be frank to her. Councilors: Yes, I know. What kind of friend you have. Why cant you find a better friend?

The counselors response which are more empathetic:

Counselor: You was disappointed because you cannot be frank to your friend that you feel offended by her bad treatment toward you.

Cont.. B. UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARDS - respect and show honest interest in clients without any condition. - Should not agree and affirm the clients statement - May remind clients will some of his/her selfdefeating behaviours - The fact that human nature has both positive and negative

Cont.. EXAMPLE: Client: I think life has no meaning to me. I am a failure, fail in love and family do not love me Counselor: It is hard for me to accept you as a useless and you have a view that is not fair to yourself and it is necessary to look at yourself first

Cont..
C. GENUINE/OPENESS - Counselor is honest, sincere and showed no desire to dominate the dynamic counseling relationship. - Aware the fact of life orientation (clients personal life) - Not using defence mechanism : Facing the clients without excuse especially with severe client problems, the counselor hiding behind the theory / making assumption / techniques. Example : rape case, sex, homosexuality etc

Cont.. EXAMPLE: Client (P): I believe all men look down on women. Maybe you, too. Councilors: Your view of man is not quite right. I understand its why you think so, maybe you do not know me yet

Cont.. D. SPECIFIC AND CONCRETE - Counselors expressed something exact, specific, and accurate for example in an attempt to understand the client, the experience and specific behavior of clients.
- Counselors did not state anything in abstract way, mislead or give a general fact, narrow thinking (generalization) or streotype

Cont..
EXAMPLE:
Client: I do not like the Minah tu. She likes to curse people.

Councilors: Indeed, all those women so (This response is not well-shaped councilors streptyping) Councilors: You are upset with Minah who like swearing (This response is good councilors kerana specific nature of Minah)

STAGES OF COUNSELING PROCESS There are 3 main stages of counseling process: 1. Early Intervention: - Define goals of counseling - Create a therapeutic atmosphere - Foster communication - Structuring the counseling relationship - Determine the next meeting

Cont..
Stage 2 :Development of the counseling process longest stages which include: - Understand the client's self from the aspect of feelings, experiences, treatments, cognitive, etc. - With more in-depth understanding of all aspects client which enhance clients awareness. - The client gets insight, sense and understand his/her psychological reality - Identified the client's needs and make and help client to change - reinforcement of the changed behavior toward resolving the problem

3. Termination - Made with the approval of twotwo-party clients and couseilors - Once the client shows signs of he does not need anymore counseling - Counselors aware that clients problems beyond their ability to help so counselor seek for expert help and refer the client to other experts

ETHICS OF COUNSELING PROFESSION

Among several counseling ethics of counseling that need be known by every counselors are as follows:

1 Respecting the client - Keeping the client's rights and dignity - Respect the customs and religious of the clients - Does not take a advantage upon the client for the benefit of the counselors 2. Confidentiality - Counseling relationship and all informations given by the client must be kept confidential

Cont.. 3. Referral When the counselor is not able to help refer the client to the other counselors or professionals 4. Using the wisdom of the just or contact the authority if: state of great danger will befall the client's self or others.

Cont..
5. Emotional / sexual Relationship Keep away or disconnect the counseling relationship if emotional / sexual relationship involved or do not counseling relationship with relatives / friends

6. Objectives / rules / limitation - Prior to initiate the counseling relationship , counselors must inform the client of the purpose of counseling, how to work and limitations or boundaries of counseling process.

Thank You Wassalam