Counseling skills.As a skilled counselor you will... Listen carefully to your client Ask open questions (those that cannot be answered just yes or no) Sit/stand at her/his level Maintain appropriate eye contact and open posture Reflect back what s/he has said, until s/he feels completely understood Be nonjudgmental non·judg·men·tal adj. Refraining from judgment, especially one based on personal ethical standards. Adj. 1. nonjudgmental and compassionate Offer information and resources Refer her/him for further help if needed Reassure her/him that s/he is normal, s/he did nothing "wrong" (if that's true) Point out positive things s/he has done (went for help, did her best, etc.) Offer advice very sparingly spar·ing adj. 1. Given to or marked by prudence and restraint in the use of material resources. 2. Deficient or limited in quantity, fullness, or extent. 3. Forbearing; lenient. , in the form of choices, not commands Tell your own story only when it's helpful and doesn't upstage hers/his Refrain from offering direct medical advice contrary to her caregiver's Foster good communication between partners, between client and caregiver care·giv·er n. 1. An individual, such as a physician, nurse, or social worker, who assists in the identification, prevention, or treatment of an illness or disability. 2. For some of us, this comes naturally, and for some, it takes great effort to just listen instead of offering lots of well-intended advice. But it's worth the effort. I agree with Carl Rogers Noun 1. Carl Rogers - United States psychologist who developed client-centered therapy (1902-1987) Rogers (Client-Centered Therapy cli·ent-cen·tered therapy n. A system of psychotherapy based on the assumption that the patient has the internal resources to improve and is in the best position to resolve his or her own personality dysfunction. ) that if we just listen long enough and well enough, most of our clients will eventually figure out their own solutions to their problems. And just finding a good listener can be such a pleasure, and an opportunity for healing! A really good book on listening skills wasn't written for counselors at all - it was written for parents. I highly recommend it for its readability and its respectful re·spect·ful adj. Showing or marked by proper respect. re·spect  ful·ly adv. approach. It's called How To
Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Faber and
Mazlish.
I've also enjoyed college courses on counseling skills counseling skills, n the acquired verbal and nonverbal skills that enhance communication by helping a medical professional to establish a good rapport with a patient or client. . You get to practice on each other to see what really works. Try out the above skills on friends, family, or fellow educators, and ask them for feedback. These skills can enhance everyday life as well as professional practice. |
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