Personal Journals

Week 1 Homework reflective log.

Definition of counselling skills

‘Counselling skills are interpersonal communication skills derived from the study of therapeutic change in human beings, used in a manner consistent with the goals and values of the established ethics of the profession of the practitioner in question. In addition the user of counselling skills will find that their own professional skills are enhanced by the process.’ Sanders 1973.

In what capacity would you use counselling skills?

A number of people may use counselling skills for example a nurse, doctor, and teacher, manager in a workplace organisation or a policeman/woman.

In what situations would a person use counselling skills?

You would use them in a situation you a sense a person is going through some difficulty or to find out more about a problem they are having and how its affecting them/what impact its having on them.

For example a nurse may use counselling skills in the care of a patient. The patient may be frightened or scared about their illness and a nurse may be able to respond better if they have learnt some counselling skills.

Do you know the difference between someone that uses counselling skills and someone who is a qualified counsellor?

A qualified counsellor is bound by a code of ethics and practice and carries a set of professional responsibilities. It’s a direct involvement between a counsellor and an individual with the purpose of supporting an individual to meet a satisfactory or the best possible outcome. Counselling should only be down by a qualified counsellor who holds a qualification for counselling. Somebody that uses counselling skills does not have to have a qualification in counselling although some of the skills used will be the same. The difference is the intension or the context of their use. Counselling skills can be used in every day life by nurses, GPS’, teachers, nurses helping to enhance communication with people using active...