These notes detail the importance of both personal and professional development for counsellors in training, including the need for supervision in order to gain self-awareness. It also explains why counsellors must explore their own values, beliefs and motivations for helping others before entering...
Developing Self-Understanding
values principles or standards of behaviour.
beliefs firmly held opinions or convictions.
. values + beliefs tend to determine a person’s priorities + are not always held permanently; they can change over time with
knowledge + experience.
. when a person’s actions + behaviours match their values + beliefs, they will be satisfied + content… when this is not the
case, they are likely to be unhappy.
. self-awareness =
- as a counsellor, self-awareness is important to avoid imposing your values + beliefs on to clients.
- to be self-aware, you have to analyse your own values + beliefs.
personal values:
commitment discipline justice generosity
honesty patriotism making a difference politeness
compassion loyalty equality determination
accountability taking responsibility being respectful being open-minded
independence altruism empathy success
personal beliefs:
global warming religious faith genetic engineering de-criminalisation of illegal
drugs
nuclear armaments sexuality nationalism healthcare
political viewpoints terrorism political correctness freedom of speech
animal rights social welfare capital punishment antisocial behaviour
. counsellors must not allow their own values + beliefs to have an impact on the helping relationship.
. everyone is entitled to their own individual beliefs, perspectives + values.
. failure to suspend personal values + beliefs during sessions can lead to the relationship being damaged … by the counsellor:
- reacting negatively to clients who do not share their values + beliefs
- displaying prejudicial attitudes
- stereotyping the client
- making discriminatory assumptions about the client + their behaviour
- imposing their own beliefs + values on the client in the form of advice or disapproval
- displaying a lack of empathy
- being unable to demonstrate unconditional positive regard
motivation for helping others:
. process that initiates, guides + maintains goal-oriented behaviour.
. explains why we act + behave in the way we do.
. motives cannot be observed, but we assume they exist by observing a person’s behaviour.
. theories explaining motivation:
instinct theory we have animal-like instincts that make us perform certain actions.
incentive theory we are motivated by external rewards i.e. money or status.
humanistic theory we are motivated to satisfy basic needs like food + shelter, before we move on to satisfy more
complex needs, like the need to fulfil one’s potential.
. understanding personal motivations will help counsellors to develop self-awareness, + help them consider both rewards +
costs inv. in becoming a counsellor.
, blocks to listening + learning:
listening learning
daydreaming blocks to learning come about due to:
filtering info - listening for some things + ignoring others lack of opportunities
making mental judgements about what is being said lack of time
being distracted by noise or interruptions feeling safe in your existing knowledge
lack of interest in what is being said not wanting to engage with knowledge that challenges your
thinking about your own problems own beliefs
watching the time lack of resources
‘mind reading’ - thinking that you know what is being said lack of study skills
without listening equating learning with negative experiences at school
blocks to learning can prevent you from developing self-
understanding.
. helping relationships can be hampered by experiences that block an indivs ability to listen + learn.
giving + receiving feedback:
. feedback should be constructive + help in one’s self-development, + in becoming more self-aware.
. having a problem accepting constructive feedback can be an area that requires work in the process of self-development.
benefits of giving feedback benefits of receiving feedback
helps others to learn, plan + achieve goals helps improve your professional performance
enhances observation, active listening + summarisation enables you to improve your self-awareness
skills enables you to plan your goals
enables you to better understand feedback from others increases awareness of impact of your actions + behaviours
helps others become more self-aware promotes self-understanding by telling you how you appear
to others
Personal Qualities Relevant to Helping Roles
. by identifying your skills + qualities, you can both reinforce your strengths + address skills that need development.
personal skills abilities that you possess to enable you to do things.
can be taught + learned, + the degree to which you become proficient at certain skills depends on
the amount of motivation you have to practise them.
e.g.
empathy understanding + acceptance being genuine
patience having positive regard for others ethical awareness
respect reflection and self-awareness problem-solving skills
sensitivity conflict resolution skills listening skills
personal qualities aspects of your personality e.g. sensitivity, awareness + selfishness.
can be positive or negative + can be developed or reversed.
personal development:
- developing skills + qualities is integral to becoming a counsellor, because the helping relationship is based off both
parties growing + progressing.
- counsellors in training must therefore undergo counselling themselves in order to become qualified; this continues
to be part of their professional development + to help them address issues they might have before they come into
the counselling relationship.
Unit 4 - …
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