• The process that occurs when a client and counselor set aside time in order to explore difficulties which may include the stressful or emotional feelings of the client.
• The act of helping the client to see things more clearly, possibly from a different view-point. This can enable the client to focus on feelings, experiences or behavior, with a goal to facilitating positive change.
• A relationship of trust. Confidentiality is paramount to successful counseling. Professional counselors will usually explain their policy on confidentiality, they may, however, be required by law to disclose information if they believe that there is a risk to life.
Counseling is Not:
• Giving advice.
• Judgmental.
• Attempting to sort out the problems of the client.
• Expecting or encouraging a client to behave in a way in which the counselor may have behaved when confronted with a similar problem in their own life.
• Getting emotionally involved with the client.
• Looking at a client's problems from your own perspective, based on your own value system.
Counselling comprises the following processes:
• Phase One: The Initial Interview
• Phase Two: The Assessment
• Phase Three: The Middle Phase
• Phase Four: The Termination
THE INITIAL INTERVIEW
The initial interview describes the first contact with the client who is the individual in need of counselling. It completes the intake process, a sort of admission of the client into the formalities of counselling.
Importance of the Initial Interview: The initial interview is of much importance for several reasons:
1) It helps the counsellor get to know the client better, and make appropriate plan for intervention. These plans include taking up the client for counselling or referring the client to another, appropriate, treatment service.
2) It helps the client to get to know the counsellor better, and to obtain reassurance and even crisis support, when necessary.
3) It affords the counsellor the opportunity to explain the