Basic Counseling Response Paper

In the second Basic Counseling Response, I will be writing about journal entries regarding my observations and incorporation of the BCRs. I believe that it is important that I display high priority on such incorporation because it is indicated that the BCRs represent the support for the future group facilitator assignment of this semester. The BCRs that I observed taking place in any setting is in my apartment with my friend. The BCRs that I intentionally incorporated into any interactions, in any setting is utilizing discretionary for self-disclosing and passive for paraphrasing. It is indicated that self-disclosing is which the delicate decision of when and how to share with the client intended to benefit the client. An example of self-disclosing,
is my friend was telling that there is so much going on today. Furthermore, she explained that she has three papers and three test due on Friday. I responded by utilizing the passive response of providing paraphrasing which it means when a counselor response with the most important details of what the client had just said and reflects them back to the client.
For example, I responded by saying that it sounds like you are much stressed right now. Since she used the word overwhelming it indicated to me that she is very stressed out. Furthermore, I responded by utilizing the response of self-disclosing and saying that I was overwhelmed too and I also have a lot of homework due on Friday. I told her that, “I know that you are stressed out but you are not alone. If you need help or need a study break I am here for you.” The BCRs that I found fairly easy to identify and/or incorporate is attending which is the art of being with the client and giving undivided attention. I was trying to focus the conversation on my friend and not myself. I was also using providing her eye contact and I was leaning towards her to provide her the understanding that I am here for her. The BCRs that I found more challenging to identify and/or incorporate is utilizing discretionary for allowing silence because I did not feel like silence would have helped my friend in this situation. I believe it would have caused her more stress if I did not response right
away. Another BCRs, that I found more challenging to identify and/or incorporate is directing which to ask the client to try something new or go in a different direction. I believe my friend was very stressed out and it was causing her tunnel vision and it only allowed her to focus on all the homework she had and nothing else. Therefore, it was difficult changing into a new conversation.