The Person of the Counsellor - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The Person of the Counsellor

Zea Eaglewww.letstalklife.com.auEmail: zea@letstalklife.com.auSlide2

Some assumptions

We value being well-trained and skilled, continuously improve our theoretical knowledge, and that we see ourselves a life-long learners.

We strive to conduct ourselves in a professional and ethical manner at all times.

A

committment

to excellence in person and practice.

A good knowledge, understanding, and adherence to the ethical guidelines of PACFA, ACA, CCAA, QCA, (or whichever association you belong to).

We are Christian counsellors who have a Christian world view, and a Christian view of what it means to be human.Slide3

Outline

Our purpose as Christian counsellorsOur basis for confidence

A cautiously carefree pursuit of excellence

Attending to the person of the counsellorSlide4

Skills and knowledge account for 15% of the therapeutic process The

other 85% comprises

t

he person

of

the counsellorSlide5

Research Findings

“It is not the theories and techniques that heal the suffering client, but the

human dimension

of therapy and the ‘meetings’ that occur between therapist and client as they work together” (Elkins, 2009).

“For therapy to be therapeutic, it is more important for the clinician to

understand people

than to master specific treatment techniques”(Williams, 1999).Slide6

“…the

human component

is the foundation of our efforts to help others. The improvement of psychotherapy may be best accomplished by learning to improve one’s ability to relate to clients and tailoring that relationship to individual clients “

(Lambert & Barley, 2001).

Research Findings (cont.)Slide7

“The kind of person a therapist is

remains the most critical factor affecting the client and promoting change. If practitioners possess wide knowledge, both theoretical and practical, yet lack human qualities of compassion, caring, good faith, honesty, presence, realness, and sensitivity, they are more like technicians.”(Corey, 2013, p 7)Slide8

‘one of the most important instruments you have to work with as a counsellor is yourself as a person… abundant research indicates the centrality of

the person of the counsellor as a primary factor in successful therapy’ (Corey, 2013, p 18)Slide9

Personal Characteristics

of a Counsellor as a ProfessionalEffective therapists…Have an identity – know who they are

Respect and appreciate themselves

Are open to change

Make choices that are life-oriented

Are authentic, sincere, and honest

Have a sense of humour

Make mistakes and are willing to admit them

Generally live in the present

Appreciate the influence of cultureSlide10

Counsellor characteristics (cont)

Have a sincere interest in the wellbeing of othersPossess effective personal skillsBecome deeply involved in their work and derive meaning from it

Are passionate

Are able to maintain healthy boundaries

(Corey, 2013, pp 19-20)Slide11

Counsellor characteristics (cont)

Genuine interest in othersEmpathic abilitiesPersonal warmthSelf-awarenessTolerance of ambiguity

Awareness of values

(Tan, 2011, p 15)Slide12

Unique characteristics of Christian Counsellors

Christ-centeredBiblically based

Spirit filled

(Tan, 2011, p 15)

Appropriation of faith

Integration of psychological & spiritual experience

(Tan, 2001)Slide13

A poet writes…

"I am a hole in a flute that the Christ's breath moves through." --HafizSlide14
Slide15

1. Viewing ourselves as instruments, in what area/s could we be more open to growth?

2. What one thing professionally could you do to be more responsive to God?

OUR PURPOSE

AS CHRISTIAN COUNSELLORSSlide16

OUR BASIS FOR CONFIDENCE

Knowing where & how we fit

The work is not the call

- work as an opportunity to

express

the call

We are not aloneSlide17

A CAUTIOUSLY CAREFREE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Be alert, listen carefully, diligently put into practice what He has revealed

Respond quickly to His challenges

Treat ourselves as we would want to be treated

Put mistakes right quickly

Forgive (ourselves and others) as we are forgiven

Live in and offer to others His undeserved graceSlide18

Attending to the

Person of the Counsellor

Being a good steward means maintenance of the exquisite instrument

you areSlide19

Burnout

Burnout among Mental Health Providers

 21-67% High levels of burnout

54% High emotional exhaustion

38% High depersonalization rates

(Morse et al. , 2012)Slide20

Compassion Fatigue

& Burnout

Compassion Fatigue

Happens quickly and is often easier to recover from.

Feeling swamped by others’ trauma and emotional stress, and other similar symptoms to burnout.

“I’m tired of other people’s drama.”

Burnout

Builds subtly over time.

Feeling overextended, emotionally exhausted, and reduced efficacy.

Depersonalization (cynicism), depleted, fatigued, apathy, loss of empathy, stuck in a rut, negative, loss of passion.

“I’m not meant

for this work.”Slide21

Burnout untreated

Increased risk for… Depression Anxiety

Sleep problems

Impaired memory

Neck & back pain

Alcohol consumption

Relationship problemsSlide22

Major contributor

to Burnout

Lack of clarity around

purposeSlide23

A first step

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matt 28:11 (The Message)Slide24

Supervision as Self-care

Being willing to consult is a sign of professionalism

Regular consultation

with colleagues & supervisors

is an ethical obligation

Be

100% instead of giving 100%Slide25

In Summary

Our purpose as Christian counsellorsOur basis for confidence

A cautiously carefree pursuit of excellence

Attending to the person of the counsellorSlide26

RefreshmenTSlide27

References

Alexander, I. (no date). Integration in the practice of Christian counsellors –  behaviour, beliefs and being. Retrieved from http://www.ccaa.net.au/documents/CCAACounsellingIntegration.pdf

Andreula

, T.J. (no date).

Burnout in Mental Health Professionals

. Retrieved from

http://pro.psychcentral.com/burnout-in-mental-health-professionals/00771.html

Corey

, G. (2013).

Theory and Practice of

Counseling

and Psychotherapy (9

th

ed.).

Belmont, CA, USA: Brooks/Cole

Cengage

.

Corey

, G (2010).

The Person of the Counsellor

, keynote address to the American Counselling Association, Pittsburgh Conference, Sunday 21 March. Retrieved from

http://www.slideshare.net/louiebeth/counselor-as-person-and-professionals

Elkins

, D. N. (2009).

Humanistic psychology: A clinical manifesto

. Colorado Springs, CO: University of the Rockies Press.

Lambert

, M. J. & Barley, D. E. (2001). Research summary on the therapeutic relationship and psychotherapy outcome.

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 38

(4), 357-361. Retrieved from

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-3204.38.4.357

Morse

, G.,

Salyers

, M. P., Rollins, A. L., Monroe-

DeVita

, M., &

Pfahler

, C. (2012). Burnout in Mental Health Services: A Review of the Problem and Its Remediation.

Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 39

(5), 341-352.

doi

:  

10.1007/s10488-011-0352-1

Smith

, C. (2015).

Burnout Self-Test

. Retrieved from

http://

www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTCS_08.htm

Wampold

, B. E. (2001).

The great psychotherapy debate: Models, methods, and findings

. (Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum

).

Tan, S. (2011).

Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective.

Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.