The Techniques of Counseling - Amazon S3

MINISTERIAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING SEMINAR

Theme: "The Pentecostal Minister as a Counselor/Caregiver"

The Techniques of Counseling

By: Larry G. Hess

INTRODUCTION In this session, we will do more than just look at some specific

techniques used in various therapy approaches, we will look at the underlying principles and assumptions accepted in these approaches.

We will look at techniques and concepts that can fit into our Christian counseling philosophy and at some of those that must be totally rejected. We will place a great emphasis upon a Christian counseling approach that is solution-oriented and designed to be brief, to the point, Biblical, Christ-centered, Holy Spirit directed, and psychologically sound.

We will emphasize the importance of counselors being more than just skilled professionals, but helpers who are themselves committed to spiritual growth, change, development, and maturity.

A variety of counseling techniques are available to the pastoral counselor. Pastoral counseling still consists of caring, reassuring,

The Techniques of Counseling Lecture Page 2 exhorting, empathizing, and giving Biblical guidance. With the present interest in and exposure to psychology, many pastors want to become skilled in counseling and work with troubled people using various counseling techniques.

Counseling is first of all a relationship, not a bundle of techniques or a bag of tricks. In implementing change through the counseling relationship, the therapist needs to be skillful in a number of techniques.

Since techniques are tied to counseling theory and philosophy, the techniques used reflect the counselor's theory and philosophy. Counseling techniques must also be selected to match the needs and personality of the client. The many human variables make counseling a complex task.

Effective counselors adapt their repertoire of techniques to the particular problem and individual involved. Investigations seem to indicate that many counselors possess or use too few interviewing techniques and a counselor who uses the same basic approach with most people is too limited in his/her mastery of techniques.

It is true that regardless of training, counselors are prone to develop a style of counseling and to adapt particular methods to their way of responding. Above all, most counselors try to be themselves

The Techniques of Counseling Lecture Page 3 rather than play a role. They try to use techniques they trust and feel comfortable using.

A counselor can restrict his/her own flexibility and spontaneity by trying to force himself/herself into a technique that does not fit or blend with his/her style or level of skill.

I. FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS AND STRENGTHS Before we get into a survey of various techniques and

approaches, let's talk about a new emphasis in counseling known as solution-oriented therapy.

This new trend is an emphasis on strengths and solutions rather than problems and pathology. When therapy is solutionoriented, assessment techniques become deliberate interventions that often limit counseling to a few sessions. Counselors watch their language and direct the conversation toward change, encouraging clients to look to the future with an eye to possibilities rather than problems. Clients learn how to keep the ball rolling and maintain change. Counseling inevitably becomes brief and purposeful. It begins by seeking solutions, not attacking problems. It is a way of thinking that raises up images of what might be -- should be -- and thereby

The Techniques of Counseling Lecture Page 4

helps people see potential that otherwise might not be understood.

People often come to counseling so depressed and down that they fail to believe that significant change can take place. They are often so chained to the present that they can't seem to hope for anything better.

As Pentecostal ministers, we know and fully believe in the miracle working power of God. We know that all things are possible. We know that God answers prayer, that people can change with God's help, and that God is at work in our lives! Therefore, solution-oriented brief therapy is very compatible with our approach to spiritual problems and spiritual solutions.

Also, Christian counseling needs to be focused on prevention and on the building of strengths. God's Word, through the example of Jesus Christ, gives us a model and example to follow for successful, healthy living. This shifts our focus away from people's problems and pathologies to God's power and purpose, and to people's strengths and capabilities. The following is a look at the common assumptions of contemporary therapies and the assumption of a solutionoriented approach.

The Techniques of Counseling Lecture Page 5

A. Common Assumptions of Most Contemporary Therapies 1. Deep, Underlying Causes for Symptoms A common assumption of many psychodynamic approaches and many family approaches is that some underlying dynamic, not readily perceivable to the untrained eye, is creating the problem. Problems are thus "symptoms" of some deep, underlying cause, formidable as an iceberg. The very word "symptom" implies that what people complain about when they enter therapy is not the real problem, but always the manifestation of some underlying problem. 2. Awareness or Insight is Necessary for Change or Symptom Resolution Many models of therapy follow the systemic process from medicine, which advocates that it can be unwise to treat the "symptom" without an understanding of its underlying causes. Many therapies attempt to resolve problems by providing clients with awareness of both the nature and origin of symptoms. To change anything, it is argued, one must be aware of the source or true nature of the problem.

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download