Counselling Skills for Managers

5 W’s ofCounselling

What

Why

Who

When

Where2

Management Counselling Approaches

Directive :- Manager dictates solution Prescriptive :- Suggests possible solution &

encourages its adoption Negotiative :- After offers & counter-

offers ,both arrive at agreements Consultative :- Discusses on employee

provided solutions to get better ones Non-directive :- Encourages employee to

design solutions

Counselling ProcessCounselling is a process with a

beginning, a middle and an end, Where

the counsellor facilitates an individual to consider the aspects of their life they wish to change.

Each process has a task to accomplish

Counselling ProcessThe whole idea is to enable the client

to explore a difficulty or distress which they may be experiencing, assisted by the counsellor who would guide the client from feeling a victim of circumstances to feeling that they have more control over their life

5

Stage 1 - Preparation Identify the need : An awareness of a problem &

the need for help Readiness : The client should be ready to accept

help Factors affecting readiness

IgnoranceResistanceLack of motivationAttitude

Place Notify in advance Time of meeting Organise information

Stage II – Pre Counselling SessionInitial interview to get acquaintedPreparation of case historyExploration of the client’s concern for

the problem

Stage III – Building up Rapport & relationship

Very Critical as it paves the way for a constructive relationship

Relationship includes trust, respect & relative psychological comfort

Rogers in 1957 proposed the core conditions for successful counselling

Unconditional +ve regard Empathy Congruence:- Both consider the issue from the same

perspective & aim for the same goals

Stage III – Building up Rapport & relationship

Other conditions include:-RespectAcceptanceGenuinenessListeningConcretenessConfidentiality

Recognise a client need

Understand the need

Meet the need

Stage IV – Problem Definition & Goal setting

1) Beliefs may Contribute to the problemInhibit the solutionBecome the problem

2) Feelings/responses mayExaggerate the problemInhibit comprehension of the problemBecome a problem

Stage IV – Problem Definition & Goal setting

3) Behaviour /response mayBe inappropriateContribute to the problemComplicate the problem

4) Interaction patterns mayLead to miscommunication Greater expectationsCopying Styles

Stage IV – Problem Definition & Goal setting

5) Contextual factorsTimePlaceCultural & Socio-Political issues

Stage IV – Problem Definition & Goal setting

The clients might make different types of statements

Based on facts & Alternatives

Based on Judgements,preferences,Dislikes

Based on specific type of behaviour

Based on emotions,Conflicts,pressures,fears & expectations

Problem Definition

Exploration of information for assessing the problem is gathered from

Client’s perspective

Counsellor’s perspective

Other’s perspective

Problem Definition

Re-assessment implies changing from known ,apparent views to less known, hidden dimensions

When new perspectives/insights are discovered, approaches to change can be evolved

Challenging is a difficult task as it involves re-directing the thought process & dealing with the discomfort they experience

Confrontation Self confrontation Feedback Directives

Problem Definition

Goal Setting

Prioritising, Focusing & Accepting the problem

Allowing the client to state the goals

Determines the selection of interventions

1) To change an unwanted or unwelcome behaviour

2) To cope better in a stressful situation

3) To make & implement decisions

4) To enhance relationships

5) To help in client’s journey towards achieving his potential

Goal Setting

Stage V – Intervention & Problem Solving

An action plan to meet the goals is made

Clearly indicate the steps to be taken by the client & the interventions utilised by the counsellor

Implementation activities include specific counselling, training & education, group therapy etc

A successful treatment plan includes

Goals clearly defined & reachablePlans adapted with timePositive ,action-oriented focusClient’s willingness & motivation to

follow it

Stage V – Intervention & Problem Solving

Stage VI - Termination

Termination is important as a means of empowering the client by creating a temporary closure of relationship

Termination is considered when:-

Awareness by counselor & counselee that the work is completed

When it seems that counselling is not being helpful

It is not a clear-cut ending, but also no need to continue beyond necessity

Stage VI - Termination

Suggested termination Imposed termination Situational termination Early termnation

A gradual tapering off of sessions Therapeutic vacations-break without breaking

the connection

Counselor should carefully consider the most effective way to terminate each client

Open Door policy

The client should review the future plan of action in his own words

A future date is identified in consultation with the client for reviewing the progress & evolving corrective measures

Stage VI - Termination

Stage VII – Follow up

Counselor’s role to be an evaluator & navigator

Follow up is to :-

Review Progress

Review the Learning