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004 - Equality and diversity - configurations of self - opening a session - CPD
In this weeks episode of the Counselling Tutor Podcast Ken and Rory take a look at equality and diversity and how this effects the counselling relationship. In Counselling Theory with Rory, configurations of self is explored and in Counselling Skills with Ken, Ken looks at the opening and closing of the counselling session.
Equality and diversity is defined
Nonmaleficence (do no harm) is an ethical requirement of the BACP, communicating with
clients in a multicultural society is vital in upholding this principle
“The practitioner has an ethical responsibility to strive to mitigate any harm caused
to a client even when the harm is unavoidable or unintended”. The BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Embracing multiculturalism means having an understanding of the regulation governing
diversity to eliminate unlawful discrimination, eliminate harassment, promote equal opportunity, respect and celebrate difference and promote good relationships between different groups.
As a student counsellor it is your obligation to understand the legislation that governs equality and diversity, Ken and Rory explore this in depth in this weeks podcast.
Configurations of Self
Rory explores the concept of ‘Configurations of Self’. This theory is relatively new and is linked to the Person-Centred Counselling. Configurations of self was developed by David Mearns and Brian Thorne. It describes the philosophy that we develop various alternative personalities, or configurations, of self that rise up within us in certain circumstances.
‘A configuration of self is a hypothetical construct denoting a coherent pattern of feelings, thoughts and preferred behavioural responses.
This is symbolised, or pre-symbolised, by the person as reflective of a dimension of existence within the self
Many writers have made reference to Carl Rogers’ ideas around conditional positive regard, the idea that a client may limit their own self-acceptance because of fear, shame, regret, embarrassment, anger, or a sense loss they have about themselves or others.
These negative emotions, or constructs, are sometimes referred to as ‘not for growth configurations’.
In other words, the negative side of the personality, the emotional inner voices which brings psychological pain that may hamper both happiness and self-understanding.
By helping the client explore and examine these ‘not for growth configurations’ in a safe and non-threatening and non judgmental environment, it is possible for the client to process these feelings, thoughts and behaviours and begin the process of checking the reality and impact on their lives.
Opening and closing a counselling session
Click here to download the resources pack. The pack contains an auto file of the opening of a session, a transcription of that audio file and an partial assignment exemplar on the topic of opening a counselling session.
The top and tail of a counselling session can seem challenging for some student counsellors. Part of training to become a counsellor involves skills sessions being assessed and the top and tail of the sessions often account for a bulk of the marks.
Ken examines the structure of the opening and closing of a counselling session with an academic focus on hitting assessment criteria.
Ken references a live recording of a counselling session opening against a writer report on advanced counselling skills.
The first part of opening a session is to establish boundaries and a working agreement with the client.
Therapeutic Boundaries form rules of engagement; principles mutually agreed and put in
place during contracting for both counsellor and client.
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Published on 9 years, 10 months ago