COUNSELING PROCESS

Counseling process is defined as a sequence of interactions or steps which put together are
known as Counseling. These steps are
Relationship establishment
Problem identification & exploration
Problem solution & remediation
Action & termination
1. Relationship establishment
Counselor must take initiative to establish a climate conducive to mutual respect, trust, free &
communication and understanding.
The counselors goals should include the followingEstablishing a comfortable & positive relationship.
Explain the counseling process and mutual responsibilities to the client.
Faciltitate communications.
Identify and verify the clients concerns that brought her or him to seek counseling
assistance.
Plan, with the client, to obtain assessment data needed to proceed with the counseling
process.
Clients goals
Understand the counseling process and his or her responsibilities in this process.
Share and amplify reasons for seeking counseling.
Cooperate in the assessment of both the problem and self.
2. Problem Identification & exploration
Once an adequate relationship has been established clients will be more receptive to the in depth
discussion & exploration of their concerns.
During this phase the counselor continues to exhibit attending behavior and may place particular
emphasis on such communication skills as paraphrasing, clarification, perception checking or
feedback. The counselor may question the client, but the questions are stated in such a way as to
facilitate the continued exploration of the clients concern. Questions that would embarrass,
challenge, or threaten the client are avoided.

Counselor has also to distinguish between what might be called surface problems and those that
are deeper and more complex. Some counselors may also use appraisal techniques such as
standardized tests for problem diagnosis. It is also important to begin exploration of changes that
may be needed and barriers that may exist to these changes.
3. Problem solving & Identification
Once all information has been gathered the time is ripe for developing a plan to solve or
remediate the concern of the client. At this point effective goal setting becomes the vital part of
the counseling activity. Mistakes in goal setting can lead to non productive procedures and the
clients loss of confidence in the counseling process.
The possible steps to follow during this phase could be the followingDefine the problem- It is important that the counselor & the client view the problem in
the same perspective and have same understanding of its consequences.
Identify and list all possible solutions- At this point it is appropriate to brainstorm all
possibilities. Both client & counselor participate but the client should be given the opportunity to
list as many possibilities as may come to her or his mind.
Explore the consequences of the suggested solutions-With the help of the counselor the
client will identify the procedures needed to implement each of the suggested solutions.
Prioritize the solutions- Again with the counselors encouragement the client will
prioritize solutions from best possibility down to least likely to produce desired results. Once the
decision has been made and the possible solutions selected, the client is ready to move on to the
application and implementation.
The counselor should realize that the client will not arrive at basic insights, implications or
probabilities as fast as the counselor will. To facilitate the clients understanding, the counselor
may use repetition, mild confrontation, interpretation, information and obviously encouragement.
4. Solution Application & Termination
In this stage the responsibilities are clear cut. The client has the responsibility for applying the
determined solution, and the counselor for determining the point of termination. In the first
instance, the counselor has a responsibility to encourage the clients acting on his or her
determined problem solution. The client may also require assistance from the counselor in case
something does not work according to plan. The counselor should also give an indication at this

time about the next interview. Usually the counselor will leave the door open for the clients
possible return in case additional assistance is required.

COUNSELING SKILLS
Besides having a strong theoretical background and knowing the counseling procedure, the
counselor should also have adequate verbal and non-verbal skills. The counselor is required to
acquire these skills through learning and practice.
Nonverbal skills
All of us communicate nonverbally- through the use of facial expressions, body posture and
physical movements we send messages usually unintentional but sometimes not. We also usually
perceive messages that others communicate to us in a similar manner. These non-verbal
mannerisms are intended to accomplish the following purposesIt indicates to the client that he/she is the object of undivided attention.
It also indicates the acceptance of the client and his readiness to assist him/her with their
concerns.
Facilitates flow of communication.
Helps in identifying the clues which the client may subconsciously or even consciously reveal
during the course of the counseling interview.
Verbal Communication skills
Among verbal communication skills, listening is the most important. Listening is a prerequisite
to effective verbal communication. Effective listening enables counselors to adroitly manipulate
their verbal counseling skills. It is also mandatory for feedback, another important verbal (as well
as non-verbal) communication skill. Feedback is the verbalization of the counselors perceptions
and reactions to the client behaviors, feelings, concerns, actions, expressions and so forth. Also
important in verbal communication is the art of questioning. Skill in questioning involves timing,
wording and type of questions. The skillful counselor does not inject questions that will stop,
alter, or slow a clients open discussion of a concern.
Effective communication is also facilitated by knowing what not to do.
Hence some barriers to communication would be the followingGiving advice
Offering solutions
Moralizing and preaching

Analyzing and diagnosing

Judging & criticizing
Praising & agreeing; giving positive evaluations
Reassuring
Some other influencing skills which are normally practiced by counselors are- Interpretation,
directive, advice, self disclosure, feedback, logical consequences, influencing summary.