Understanding Of How The Counselling Works Sociology Essay

Understanding Of How The Counselling Works Sociology EssayCounselling has been defined by the British Association for Counselling and Psych another(prenominal)apy (BACP, 2009) as talking therapy, which promoter a contractual arrangement amidst the therapist and the leaf node where they meet, in secrecy and confidence, to explore a difficulty or distress the invitee whitethorn be experiencing (p. 1). It head for the hillss through the development of a cure kinship whereby the counsellor actively and attentively listens to the leaf node in order to exonerate insight and understanding into the difficulties the guest is confronted with, from the nodes perspective. Using different techniques, the counsellor gutter try to help the client to work through these difficulties, to understand them, and to process them or accept them, depending on what the difficulties atomic number 18. Importantly, counselling does not work by the provision of advice or direction instead, the cou nsellor helps the client to gain subordination in directing their testify lives.The two counselling approaches discussed within this judge atomic number 18 individual-centred counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy. The theory underlying these approaches will be outlined, followed by examples of techniques used, and evidence of efficacy.Person-centred counselling, also known as client-centred or Rogerian counselling, is a humanist approach to counselling founded by Carl Rogers in the 1950s (Rogers, 1951). The approach is establish on the assumption that human beings are experts of themselves and that they piddle access to their own innate expert resources of ego-understanding and self-direction. The role of the counsellor is thus to provide a facilitative environment and relationship for the client to find these resources within themselves.In order to provide this facilitative environment and relationship, the counsellor basis their interactions with the client on thr ee headstone principles1) They are congruent (genuine) with the client, which can involve the counsellor showing their own human traits through appropriate and opportune personal disclosure. This contrasts many other approaches to counselling, which tend to promote a more(prenominal)(prenominal) formal relationship among counsellor and client.2) They provide unconditional dictatorial regard, even if a client divulges something that the counsellor disagrees with the counsellor remains pass judgment and caring of the client. Rogers believed this was important for clients to grow and reach their full potential.3) They expressempathy (the great power to understand what the client is feeling) andunderstanding towards the client. By providing empathy, the clients feelings are validated, which can be an important part of moving through and beyond those feelings.These three key principles demonstrate how the primary focus in person-centred counselling is the relationship between th e counsellor and client. The person-centred counsellor seeks to establish a trusting relationship with the client in whom the client can gradually confront anxieties, confusion and other controvert emotions.Central to person-centred counselling is the notion of self-concept, which refers to the perceptions and beliefs the client holds about themselves. The self-concept is influenced by an individuals experience of the world and comprises three componentsSelf-worth ( egotism) thoughts about the self, which develop in other(a) childhood and from experiences with parents or guardians.Self-image perceptions of the self, including body image, which can influence personality.Ideal self the self a person would like to be, including goals and ambitions.Theself-conceptis not necessarily agreeable with how others run into the client, as is the case in people with low self-esteem or conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder (characterised by sensed defects in physical appearance). R ogers based person-centred counselling the assumption that all human beings are seeking a positive self-concept (self-actualisation). It is this innate motivation towards self-fulfilment that is nurtured during person-centred counselling, with the accent again being on the clients own resources.Rogers has been criticised for having an overly optimistic view of human beings (Chantler, 2004), as well as focusing too such(prenominal) on a clients ideal self without considering whether this ideal self is existent (Wilkins, 2003). However, despite this criticism, there is strong evidence supporting the efficacy of the person-centred approach, including a UK-based meta-analysis of scientific studies (Elliot and Freire, 2008). This meta-analysis demonstrated large pre- and post- agitates in therapeutic outcomes that were maintained in the long-term.Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) was founded in the 1960s by Aaron Beck when he discovered that during counselling sessions, his client s tended to have an internal dialogue that was often negative and unsuccessful. Furthermore, this internal dialogue was observed to influence behaviour. This led to the hypothesis that changing these internal dialogues would lead to changes in behaviour. Thus, CBT focuses on the thoughts, images, beliefs and attitudes held by the client and how these relate to the clients behaviour or dash of dealing with emotional problems.CBT mothers a problem-solving approach to counselling, where the client and counsellor work collaboratively to understand problems and to develop strategies for tackling them. Clients are taught by counsellors, through guidance and modelling, a new set of skills that they can utilise when confronted with a particular problem. These skills are often focused on reframing negative self-talk in an childbed to change ones interpretation of the problem. An event is not necessarily the problem, but more so the individuals interpretation of the event.CBT focuses on t he present rather than the past, but does examine how self-defeating thinking patterns aptitude have been formed in early childhood and the impact patterns of thinking cogency have on how the world is understand in the present, as an adult. These patterns of thinking can and then be challenged by the counsellor and altered to fit the present.Taking a problem-solving approach means that CBT can offer effective outcomes in relatively short periods of time, well-nigh often 3-6 months. As an example, interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders has been found to take 8-12 weeks longer than CBT in order to achieve comparable outcomes (Agras et al., 2000). This is an obvious prefer the CBT approach has over other forms of counselling, making it a popular technique and the leading treatment for some mental health issues, such as bulimia (Wilson, Grilo, and Vitousek, 2007). The technique has even been incorporated into health interventions designed to hang overweight and obese in dividuals in losing weight (Wylie-Rosett et al., 2001) and to facilitate smoking utmost initiatives (Sussman, Ping, and Dent, 2006).CBT differs from other counselling approaches in that sessions have a structure, rather than the person talking freely about whatever comes to mind. At the beginning of counselling, the client meets the counsellor so that they can collaboratively set therapeutic goals to work towards. These goals then become the basis for planning the content of sessions as well as for assigning homework between sessions. The reason for having this structure is that it helps to use the therapeutic time efficiently and ensures that important information is not overlooked. Homework between sessions enables the client to practice and gain mastery in new skills with the chance to discuss any problems encountered in the next session. The counsellor takes a more active role at the beginning of counselling and as skills are mastered and the client grasps the principles they find helpful, the client is encouraged to take more responsibility for the content of sessions. The aim is that when the therapeutic relationship comes to an end, the client is sufficiently empowered to continue workingindependently.CBT also differs from other approaches in the disposition of the relationship between counsellor and client. Some counselling approaches encourage the client to depend on the counsellor, as part of the treatment process, in an effort to build trust. CBT favours a more equal relationship that is more formal, problem-focused and practical. much(prenominal) a relationship has been coined by Beck as collaborative empiricism, which emphasises the importance of client and counsellor working together to test out how the ideas behind CBT might apply to the clients individual circumstances (Beck, et al., 1979, Chap. 3).As demonstrated, patient-centred counselling and CBT are very(prenominal) different approaches to counselling, both in terms of structure and t he role of the counsellor. In terms of preference, it could be argued that both are valuable, effective approaches to counselling. Evidence shows that they both work and thus preference would be better decided with precondition of the client and their individual needs. Whilst person-centred counselling might be preferable for a client with trust issues or who requires extensive examination of past trauma, CBT might be preferable for someone with an immediate problem or phobia to solve or someone whose problems are primarily governed by negative self-talk. Since CBT works with cognitions and behaviour and person-centred counselling works more with affect and emotion, their finish needs to be based on individual context.Agras, W.S., et al., 2000. A multicentre parity of cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa. Archives of everyday Psychiatry, 57, pp.459-466.Beck, A. T., et al., (1979).Cognitive therapy of depression. New York Guilford Pres s.British Association of Counselling mental hygiene 2009. honest Framework for Good Practice in Counselling Psychotherapy. Available from http//www.bacp.co.uk cited 09 January 2010.Chantler, K., 2004. double-edged sword power and person-centred counselling. In Moodley, R., Lago, C., and Talahite, A. eds. Carl Rogers counsels a black client. Herefordshire PCCS Books.Coren, A., 2001. Short- Term Psychotherapy A Psychodynamic Approach. Palgrave Publishers Ltd.Elliott, R. and Freire, B., 2008. Person-Centred Experiential Therapies Are Highly Effective Summary of the 2008 Meta-analysis. http//www.bapca.co.uk/uploads/files/Meta-Summary091708.doc. cited 09 January 2011.Rogers, Carl.,1951. Client-centered Therapy Its electric current Practice, Implications and Theory. London Constable.Sussman, S., Sun, P., and Dent, C. W., 2006. A meta-analysis of teen cigarette smoking cessation. Health Psychology, 25(5), pp.549-557. readiness and careers in counselling and psychotherapy (BACP) 2009. online. http//www.bacp.co.uk/admin/structure/files/pdf/811_t1.pdf cited 09 January 2011.Wilkins P.2003 Person-centred therapy in focus. London able publicationsWilson, G.T., Grilo, C.M., and Vitousek, K.M. 2007. Psychological treatment of eating disorders. TheAmerican Journal of Psychology, 62, pp.199-216.Wylie-Rosett., et al., 2001. Computerized weight release intervention optimizes staff time. Journal of American Dietetic Association, 101, pp. 1155-1162.