Techniques of Counseling



Ernie Cowger Coun 518: Techniques of Counseling

Phone: 456-5005/5004(o); 219-2010(h) Sept 8 – Nov 10, 2008

Off. Hrs. 3:30-5:30 M – Th; 10-12:00 F ecowger@latech.edu

Course Goals

1. To provide you with an opportunity to develop further your own counseling techniques and listening skills. (Texts, handouts, Verbatim & Process Comments, discussions, Comparison Paper, recording coun. sessions, focus/genogram, lectures, Practicum/Internship student, & videotapes/DVDs)

2. To help you begin crystallizing your own theory of counseling in an applied sense and to become aware of how your biases affect your relating with yourself and others. (Texts, Verbatim & Process Comments, Comp. Paper, handouts, lectures, discussions, & videotapes/DVDs)

3. To identify certain theories and techniques that fit in the following orientations: cognitive, affective/experiential, and behavioral. (Handouts, Verbatim & Process Comments, & disc/lect.)

4. To gain feedback as to how your skills are perceived by others and to gain practice in giving others descriptive feedback, especially concerning counseling skills. (Listening to peer recordings & giving them feedback, focus/genogram, Pract/Intern student, & Verbatim & Process Comments)

5. To provide a nonthreatening environment where you can experiment with and use various counseling techniques. (class sessions, genograms, recording sessions, & Pract/Intern student)

6. To experience the emotions that a client might feel (joy, scare, etc.) by sharing a little about yourself with others in the class and allowing them to ask you questions and utilize other techniques. (Genogram, classroom, pract/intern student)

( ( ( ( ( Summary of requirements:( ( ( ( (

1. Make 3 recordings, critique 2nd (due 10/6) & 3rd (due 10/27) using Verbatim guide. 20% & 25%

[3 recorded sessions & "I Learned" Papers (due 9/22, 10/6, & 10/27), plus, swap recordings, and write comments on session listened to.]

2. Comparison Paper, due 11/3, 10%

3. Meet with Practicum/Internship student 3 times & write “I learned” papers. (4% each meeting = 12%)

4. Focus & genogram, due night volunteer. (3%)

5. Attendance and participation, 10%.

6. Professional liability insurance.

7. Quizzes will be given each week over chapters in the text, 20%.

Procedures

1. Text: Young, Mark E. (2009). Learning the art of helping: Building blocks and techniques. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.

Optional texts:

1) Benjamin, A. (1987). The helping interview with case illustrations. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

2) Jongsma, A.E., Jr. & Peterson, L.M. (2006). The complete adult psychotherapy treatment planner (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons. (For Coun 530 students-General LPC Coun.).

3) Knapp, S. E. & Jongsma, A. E., Jr. (2002). The school counseling and school social work treatment planner. New York: John Wiley & Sons. (For Coun 532 students-School Coun.).

4) Yalom, Irvin D. (2002). The gift of therapy: An open letter to a new generation of therapists and their patients. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.

5) Yalom, Irvin D. (2000). Love’s executioner: And other tales of psychotherapy. New York: Perennial Classics (HarperCollins Pub.).

a. Various parts of chapters will be discussed as they apply to our class discussion and when you specifically raise questions concerning them.

b. Quizzes will consist of 10 multiple choice questions over assignments in the text each week. These will be given at the beginning of class each week. Grade = 20%.

2. Counseling Experience

You have the opportunity to develop your ability to counsel and to critique your counseling through applying the tools outlined in the text. You are asked to make at least three (3) recorded sessions (more are encouraged) that are at least 3O minutes long. These counseling sessions should be with person(s) who are not relatives or close friends. At the end of the class, some students have suggested that you have two sessions with the same person. In these sessions you are to demonstrate your ability to use the attending behaviors and other counseling/interview techniques in the text to facilitate personal growth in the counselee. You will be given opportunities to play various segments of these recordings with your practicum/intern student and/or in class. Be ready to ask for specific assistance. You are required to have student liability insurance.

3. Verbatim with process comments

Type a Verbatim (word for word) with process comments of at least 30 running minutes of your 2nd & 3rd recorded session. A verbatim includes every sound that is recorded with a label for each technique (co. comment) & comments about what you could have done & what you were thinking &/or feeling. The ‘process comments’ will follow & explain each ‘Co’ comment. See attached explanation & examples for more information. Due10/6 & 10/27. Grade = 20%, 25%, respectively.

4. Comparison Paper

Type a paper outlining your development and awarenesses when reviewing your three (or more) counseling sessions. You might address similarities and differences in the sessions, e.g., techniques, tone, atmosphere, relationship, opening/closing, pace, intimacy/apartness, awarenesses of client issues - overt and covert, how you dealt with these issues, etc. Organize your paper by subheadings that will help you address your areas clearly. At least 4 typed pages, due 11/3. Grade=10%.

5. Focus with Genogram

You will each have the opportunity to experiment with sharing information of your choice about yourself with the class based on your genogram. Members will be allowed to ask you questions, clarify, etc. and to practice techniques such as active listening. You may talk about only those areas that you want to address about yourself. This will not only allow us to develop more empathy & trust with each other, it will also allow you to experience the uneasiness a client might feel and to practice your techniques. On the night you present, please provide copies of your genogram with class members. We must limit your presentation to 15-30 minutes. Grade=3%.

6. Practicum/Internship student meetings

a. You are asked to meet with a counseling practicum/intern student for 3 1-hour sessions. The nature of the experience during this hour is left to the discretion of the two of you. Suggested activities include listening to Pract./Intern student's recorded counseling session, critiquing a tape, role-playing-openings, closings, techniques; discussing common concerns, identifying techniques, discussing “stuck” places, etc.

b. The 1st meeting should be by 9/22, the 2nd by 10/6, & the 3rd by 10/27. I will assign mentors from Practicum or Internship classes by 9/15.

c. On the date by which the meeting is due, turn in a brief description (an "I Learned" paper) of what you learned in the session. List the # of the I Learned Paper (e.g., I Learned #1) your mentor, the date (9/19/08), time (2:00-3:00), & place (Main Bossier Library study room) of meetings.

d. It is your responsibility to insure that you meet with this person. Grade = 12%.

Grades are based on:

1. Rating on your 1st Verbatim & Process Comments, 20%.

2. Rating on your 2nd Verbatim & Process Comments, 25%.

3. Rating on your Comparison Paper, 10%.

4. “I Learned” papers from meeting with your assigned mentor. 12%.

5. Genogram. 3%.

6. Attendance and participation, 10%.

7. Quizzes will be given over assigned readings in the text, 20%.

8. Attendance/participation is deemed an important aspect of this course. Absences will affect your grade. Late assignments may be lowered a letter grade or more.

Grading schedule:

A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-59.

Attendance: You must adhere to the university’s attendance policy. If you decide not to come to class, you must resign or withdraw from the class officially or you might receive “F” for the course grade.

Accommodations for students with disabilities: Students needing testing or classroom accommodations based on a disability are encouraged to discuss those needs with me as soon as possible.

Academic Honor Code: In accordance with the Academic Honor Code, students pledge the following: “Being a student of higher standards, I pledge to embody the principles of academic integrity.”

Deviations may occur in this course outline.

Class Schedule

9/8/08 Course outline, download ACA Ethical Standards (), sign roll with address & telephone #s; ACA Liability Insurance forms; meet Pract./Intern student before 9/22, sign-out & listen to both Bradshaw cds/tapes entitled "When helping ..." by 9/15; discuss difference in theories & techniques, discuss thoughts about human nature, identify possible “clients.”

9/15 Chap 1-3 due; Quiz #1, Attending Behaviors, assign Pract./Intern student, turn in and discuss 1st Bradshaw tapes/cds, give 2nd Bradshaw tapes/cds: “Healing the Shame…”, my genogram, meet with Pract./Intern stud., & do 1st recording by 9/22, discuss ACA Ethical Standards (bring copy), begin in-class counseling with each other - practice nonverbal & opening skills, view video of segment #1, then #2.

9/22 Chap 4-6 due, Quiz #2, 1st recording due with 1st “I learned paper,” discuss session, bring and swap recorded session; listen to recorded session and list praises & techniques; discuss & return 2nd set of Bradshaw tapes: "Healing the shame ...", genogram, view video segment #3, in-class coun with paraphrasing.

9/29 Chap 7-8, Quiz #3, genogram, discuss sample Verbatim & Process Comments that are due 10/6; in-class session with reflection of feeling, view video segment #4, review Verbatim & Process Comments format.

10/6 Chap 9-10 due, Quiz #4, genogram, discuss 2nd session, turn in 2nd “I learned” paper, 2nd recorded session due, 1st Verbatim & Process Comments paper due, swap session recordings to listen to during week & write comments - list praises, techniques used, & do differentlies for session, return on 10/13.

10/13 Chap 11-13 due, Quiz #5, return recorded session & give feedback of praises, techniques, & do differentlies.

10/20 Chap 14-15 due (last chapters! (); Quiz #6, genogram, volunteer to play part of recorded session in class?; discuss techniques time; videotape-view & discuss?, 3rd recording & 3rd I Learned Paper due 10/27; meet Pract/Intern student before 10/27 with recorded session, .

10/27 3rd recorded session with 3rd I learned paper & 2nd Verbatim & Process Comments due, discuss sessions, ; bring 3rd recording to class, swap, & prepare feedback on 4th session for 11/3, discuss sample Comparison Paper, Comparison Paper due 11/3.

11/3 Turn in Comparison Paper (you’re almost done! ( ), discuss “techniques time,” genogram, T.A. & Goulding materials & videotape, volunteer to play part of recorded session in class?

11/10 Discuss Comparison Paper, genogram questionnaire, share appreciations with each other, likes & improvements in course, course evaluation. We’ve made it! Let’s celebrate! We can go out and eat together if you’d like! (

Important dates:

9/9 Mail/e-mail liability insurance forms to HPSO, American Professional Agency, or CPH & Assoc.

9/19 Last day to Register for Fall graduation in Ruston & comp. exam. (You may wait to attend base graduation.)

10/16 Comprehensive exam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Base Educ. Bldg., Barksdale AFB, LA.

10/27 Early registration begins; I’ll bring forms to class. Be sure to get base pass before VFW registration on 11/20.

11/13 Last day of classes, 11/14 Degree grades due, 11/18 All grades due, 11/19 Ruston Graduation, TAC, 2:00 pm, Wed. (Or you may graduate here, Spring Q., 5/28?/09, 7:00 pm, Bossier Civic Center.)

12/3 Winter classes begin, 12/19 Last day to register for Winter Graduation, 12/19 Christmas break begins at 10:00 pm, 1/5/09 Christmas break ends at 8:00 am, 1/19 ML King, Jr. holiday, 2/20 Mardi Gras break begins at 10:00 pm, 2/26 Mardi Gras ends at 8:00 am, 3/3 Degree grades due, 3/3 Last class day, 3/5 All grades due, 3/7 Ruston Graduation, TAC, 2:00 pm, Sat. (And/or graduate in Bossier, Spring Q, 5/28?/09, 7:00 pm.)

3/11 Spring classes begin, 3/27 Last day to Register for Graduation & Comp. Exam, 4/10 No class for Easter & 4/13 classes resume at 5:00pm; 5/19 Degree grades due, 5/22 Last day of classes; 5/23 Ruston graduation, TAC, 2:00 (Sat.); 5/28?/09 Base Graduation at Bossier Civic Center, 7:00pm., Thurs. night. You may attend Ruston Grad., base grad., both, or neither. Order cap & gown.

Verbatim and Process Comments

Part I:

Provide a brief summary of the counseling session that you are using for this verbatim. In this summary, 1) include information about the background of the person involved,

2) list the issues your client is presenting, and

3) list the goals for the session.

Part II:

Select at least a 30-minute running segment of your recorded session. Type this segment word for word, including silences, “uhs” (any sounds), etc. When typing, allow space to add your own process comments after each counselor response.

Process comments refer to your evaluation (judging its value or worth) & analysis (breaking the whole into its parts to examine) of what was happening during the counseling session. In a more practical sense for your counseling session, process comments refer to:

Basic level (“B” grade):

1. Labeling each technique & if it’s domain is cognitive, behavioral, &/or affective/experiential,

Exceptional level (“A” grade):

2. Mentioning what you were thinking, feeling emotionally, &/or sensing physically,

3. Your own personal issues that came into play in response to the client’s issue/response,

4. Stating what you might say or do differently & how you would say it (the literal words you might use),

5. Mentioning your hunch or intuitive sense about what the client is saying/not saying/feeling.

It is very important that you take the time to comment on every counselor-client interchange. Be sure to label each technique (nonverbal cues - voice tone, facial expression, posture, eye contact, touching, gestures, spatial distance; encouragers - door openers, minimal encouragers; questions - open, closed, leading; silence, paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, reflecting meaning, summarizing - focusing, signal, thematic, planning; challenging/confrontation, homework, goal setting, etc.) which you use. In addition to labeling each technique, you are asked to identify the techniques’ domain. The domain will be cognitive, behavioral, &/or affective/experiential. If you choose only to label each technique & identify its domain, you are performing at a “B” grade level.

You may choose to go beyond the labeling of each technique and identifying the domain of the technique by mentioning what you were thinking (“I don’t know what to say,” “I’m stuck,”), feeling emotionally (joy, sadness, anger, guilt/shame, fear, disgust, surprise, & interest/excitement), &/or sensing physically (inside yourself – tension in your neck, etc., burning sensation in your stomach, knot in your stomach, etc.) when your client/helpee responded. This adds another insightful dimension to your verbatim.

Along with labeling each technique & commenting of what you were thinking, feeling emotionally, &/or sensing physically, it will also be helpful for you to mention areas 3, 4, & 5 when possible. Remember: The more you become aware of in the sessions, the more effective you will be as a counselor/helper and a person. It is crucial that you learn to be with your client, to listen to your client/helpee, & to let your client/helpee know that you hear what s/he is saying/feeling/experiencing.

Part III:

Verifying statement:

At the end of your verbatim, I am asking that you type & sign a statement that verifies that this verbatim is at least a 30-minute segment of your counseling session. This statement could say: “I, _(your name) , verify that the above verbatim is at least a 30-minute running segment of my counseling session. Signed: _______________.”

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