The Rapport and Counselling Relationship

The Rapport and Counselling Relationship

Word Count: 1902

Abstract

The need for counseling arises when people need to find alternatives to deal with problems or issues that surfaced in their lives that is beyond their own capacity to handle. The complexity of human functioning in today’s world seeks for a greater level of help, from counsellors that are able to provide such learned skills that promote a change. Definitions on the term counselling and the importance of the helping relationship are presented in this paper. Various perspective from different theoretical stands are stated. The crucial characteristics that a counsellor must possess is also discussed, with the significance of empathic communication examined deeper.

The Rapport and Counselling Relationship

Counselling

Counselling is a wonderful 21st century invention. We live in a complex, busy, changing world. In this world, there are many different types of experience that are difficult for people to cope with. Most of the time, we find ways of dealing with such problems in living by talking to family, friends, neighbors, priests or our family doctor. But occasionally their advice is not sufficient, or we are too embarrassed or ashamed to tell them what is bothering us, or we just don’t have an appropriate person to turn to. Counselling comes in as a handy tool and a useful option at these moments.

People in today’s generation have a broadened spectrum in the definition of the word “counseling”. It ranges from an informal relationship from offering a listening ear to a classmate, giving verbal advices to a colleague to a more professional and formal setting by psychologists and psychiatrists.

Definition

Despite the name, counsellors don’t usually offer advice. It is almost not mostly a one-time event, counselling is better said of a process. They help counsellees to gain insight into their feelings and behavior and to change your behaviour, if...