Page 64 - Part A

Counselling Skills

How counselling theory underpins the use of
counselling skills

The significance of counselling theory is that it provides the rationale for the skills that
counsellors use. The basis of all counselling theories is that clients can be helped
to resolve their problems through a helping relationship with the counsellor. This
relationship must be one in which the counsellor uses a set of key or core skills to
help the client to improve the quality of their lives by working through their problems
and issues, and making positive changes. In order to do this, the counsellor must
demonstrate an interest in the client’s life, their well-being, problems and difficulties.
It is the counsellor’s responsibility to give the client their full, undivided, attention
throughout the duration of the one-to-one counselling session. Core counselling skills
are those that enable the counsellor to do this.

Q. What are the key counselling skills that arise from counselling theory?

A. Active listening and responding appropriately are key skills that a counsellor
must apply during one-to-one counselling sessions with a client.

Active listening and responding appropriately

Active listening makes the person who is talking feel worthy, appreciated and
respected. When we give someone all of our attention, the speaker responds positively
by interacting on a deeper level, perhaps by disclosing personal information or by
becoming more relaxed. When a counsellor pays particular attention to what the
client is saying, they are encouraging the client to continue talking, as well as ensuring
communication remains open and positive.

Active listening requires more than just listening to what a client says. It involves taking
an interest in the other person, making sure they are comfortable about disclosing
personal information and providing support and understanding. It also requires that a
counsellor also takes into account the body language that is being displayed, and also
the tone, speed and pitch of voice.

Counsellors must also demonstrate active listening by employing various techniques
throughout their counselling relationship with the client. These include:

• Facing the client – sitting straight, or leaning forwards to show
attentiveness is also useful
• Maintaining eye contact shows the speaker you are interested in them
and what they have to say

• Responding appropriately, by nodding, eyebrow raising and supplying
other more direct responses, prompts the client to continue talking

• Focusing solely on what the client is saying to enable the counsellor to
follow the logical flow of the conversation

• Only asking questions for clarification.

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