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Unit 16 Supportive Counselling

1. What are two key characteristics of a good counsellor?

Two key characteristics of a good counsellor are - being genuine and having an ability to give advice.

2. List the two ways by which a counsellor can reassure clients.

The two ways by which counsellor can reassure clients are removing doubts and misconceptions, and pointing to their assets. 

3. What is the primary focus of supportive counselling?

The primary focus of supportive counselling is on here and now issues. To help clients establish a pathway to reconstruction or healing, by strengthening their coping mechanisms and optimising adaptation to living.

4. What are the strategies used for enhancing a person's self-esteem?

Many different approaches like self-talk, correction of cognitive distortions, unraveling of unconscious guilt and breaking down the task into smaller parts are used for enhancing a person's self-esteem. 

5. Describe any three techniques used in supportive counselling.

Three techniques used in supportive counselling are:

• Maximizing adaptive coping mechanisms.
• Focusing on the here and now.
• Providing a role model for identification.

6. What are the disadvantages of supportive counselling?

Disadvantages of supportive counselling include:

• Dependency on the counsellor.
• Difficulty in maintaining a therapeutic alliance.
• Limited gains over a longer period of time.

7. What do you understand by supportive counselling?

Supportive counselling aims to be a good listener and provide emotional support. It focuses on strengthening a client's coping mechanisms, rather than instigating change. The goal is to optimise the client's adaptation to living by enhancing social and occupational functioning, dealing with life challenges, coping with losses, boosting self-esteem, and improving reality testing. 

Supportive counselling also helps prevent relapse, supports families and carers, and promotes client autonomy. It also aims to transfer support from counselling to the individual's social network when appropriate.

8. Explain the characteristics of counsellor and importance of clientcounsellor relationship in supportive counselling. 

Characteristics of a Counsellor and the Importance of the Client-Counsellor Relationship in Supportive Counselling

• Counsellor Characteristics: A supportive counsellor should exhibit several key characteristics:
  • Sincerity: A genuine and authentic approach to the client.
  • Good listening skills: The ability to pay attention, understand, and respond to the client's needs and concerns.
  • Integrity: Maintaining ethical and professional standards throughout the counselling process.
  • Holding and Containment: Providing a stable and secure presence for the client, especially during stressful times. This involves the ability to listen without immediately intervening, unless necessary.
  • Genuineness: The counsellor should be a role model, with appropriate self-disclosure.
  • Reassurance: Providing reassurance by removing doubts, misconceptions and highlighting the client's strengths.
  • Explanation: An ability to explain to the client and family about the illness, its symptoms and treatment plan.
  • Guidance: Offering advice and direction, particularly on everyday problems such as budgeting and self-care.
  • Suggestion: The ability to influence the client positively and induce change by implicit or explicit actions.
• Client-Counsellor Relationship: The relationship in supportive counselling is unique:
  • Helping Role: The counsellor takes on a helping role, attending sensitively to the client’s needs while maintaining a modest level of closeness.
  • Directive Approach: The counsellor assumes a degree of responsibility, as the client is often impaired and vulnerable. This may resemble a parent-child relationship, where the counsellor offers security and care. The counsellor's directive role involves providing structure and guidance that the client may not be able to provide for themselves.

9. What are the techniques used in supportive counselling? 

Techniques Used in Supportive Counselling

Supportive counselling uses a variety of techniques:

• Basic Interview Skills: Using skills like history-taking, clarifying and empathetic listening.
• Maximising Adaptive Coping Mechanisms: Enhancing a person's ability to cope through education about their problems, and through practicing coping mechanisms.
• Focusing on the Here and Now: Addressing current feelings, daily functioning (work, family, friends), and practical needs (rent, transport, medication). The focus then moves to interpersonal relations and social skills.
• Providing a Role Model for Identification: The counsellor serves as a model for the client, not as a perfect human, but sharing ways in which the counsellor has dealt with challenges.
• Raising Self-Esteem: Helping clients develop competence and mastery, setting achievable goals, and encouraging success by breaking down tasks into manageable steps.
• Effecting Changes in the Client's Environment: Modifying stressful factors, encouraging participation in social activities and maximising family support.
• Interpreting Defenses: Helping clients understand their responses to stressful events and discussing maladaptive patterns.
• Catharsis: Allowing clients to express and share emotionally charged material in a safe therapeutic environment.
• Other methods: Other methods may include relaxation training, social skills training and occupational therapy.

10. How will you practise supportive counselling for a person with mood disorders? 

Practising Supportive Counselling for a Person with Mood Disorders

To practice supportive counselling for a person with mood disorders, consider the following:

• Initial Assessment: Start by assessing the client's current mood, symptoms, and daily functioning. Understand the specific challenges related to their mood disorder, such as symptoms of depression or mania.
• Building a Strong Therapeutic Relationship: Establish a trusting and secure relationship. Be consistent, reliable and show empathy.
• Focus on Stability: Prioritise current needs and practical concerns first. Ensure they have access to necessities, like medication, food and a safe environment.
• Promote Adaptive Coping: Work with the client to enhance coping mechanisms to manage mood fluctuations. Provide education about their specific mood disorder, its symptoms, and available treatments.
• Enhance Self-Esteem: Identify the client's strengths, set realistic goals, and offer positive reinforcement. Use techniques like behavioural rehearsal to help clients achieve success and build confidence.
• Address Interpersonal Skills: Help the client improve communication and interaction skills. This is an important aspect in supportive counselling.
• Family Involvement: Where appropriate, include family members to provide support. Offer guidance and education to them.
• Role Modelling: Be a positive role model, demonstrating effective coping and problem-solving skills. Share personal anecdotes where appropriate.
• Provide Reassurance: Reassure the client they are not alone in their challenges and that there is hope for improvement. Provide balanced optimism about the future while being mindful of their current situation.
• Monitor and Adapt: Continuously assess the client’s progress and adapt the approach as needed. Pay attention to any changes in their mental state and adjust the counselling plan accordingly.
• Practical Support: Address any practical challenges they may have such as finances, housing, or transportation.
• Referrals: Refer to other mental health professionals when necessary.

By combining these strategies, a supportive counsellor can help a person with a mood disorder manage their condition, enhance their coping abilities, and improve their overall quality of life.

Important Points

• Supportive counselling enhances self-esteem.
• Supportive counselling should be trauma specific.