Page 69 - Part A

Counselling Skills

This theory underpins the use of psychodynamic counselling skills by implementing
the following features:

• This form of counselling relies on the interpersonal exchange between
counsellor and client, to establish and develop positive strategies that the
client can then use to make changes to their behaviour.
• A non-directive approach may be adopted where the counsellor encourages
the client to express feelings and emotions, whilst they listen and watch for
clues to identify the root cause of the problem.

• A more directive approach may be adopted by some counsellors in order to
guide a person in a particular direction to discuss specific issues about
patterns of behaviour, worries and concerns.

• A one-to-one counselling session takes place in a comfortable, secure
environment, where a client can feel relaxed and able to discuss concerns
freely. During each session, the counsellor, or therapist, will encourage
the client to explore feelings, thoughts and emotions, and, by using
psychodynamic techniques, a counsellor will predominantly observe
and digest the information the client provides.

• The counsellor may say very little, but will be observing body language,
expression and anything else that may provide a useful analysis of the
client’s behaviour and limiting beliefs. This knowledge and information will
be used to provide the client with support, understanding and guidance,
and will empower the client to work towards making positive changes.

• There may be long pauses and silences throughout the counselling session,
but the client will be encouraged to express their thoughts, feelings and
emotions in their own time. Reflective pauses can provide as much, if not
more, valuable information than a long monologue. The counsellor will
also encourage the client to explore free-association, where the client talks
about the first thing that comes into their thoughts, even though it may not
relate to the subject under discussion at the time, and free-thinking.

This approach can be used to help people address problems such as depression,
anxiety and anger amongst other things.

Key Fact

Psychodynamic counselling is a slow and detailed process,
therefore, a client may need to commit themselves to a lengthy
counselling relationship.

67