closing a person centred counselling session

Explain the importance of closing a session

Each counselling session is likely to be emotive which will leave the client vulnerable to the outside world of the counselling room. Since some difficult topics are likely to be discussed and the client is likely to express a variety of emotions, it can be hard to bring a session to an end. Sometimes it can feel that the timing of the endings is insensitive to the clients needs. It is extremely important to summarise accurately and sensitively to confirm to the client that they have been heard. It demonstrates empathy and understanding and it allows for clarification where necessary. Even when a client is aware of the time boundary, they can be so absorbed in talking about something deeply emotional. It is important to re- assure the client that they are welcome to discuss this in more depth at the next meeting. Closing the session gives the client opportunity to confirm practical details for further sessions, such as dates, times, number of further sessions needed. This will define boundaries and make the client feel safe and establish trust that the counselor has a commitment to helping the client resolve their

Explain the possible impact of diversity on the use of counselling skills in a session.

Prejudice is, for good or ill, a part of our nature. It is instilled in us from birth onwards. All we can hope to do is to combat it, and the first tool in our armoury must be that of awareness. Without this, it is very difficult, perhaps impossible, for the counsellor to explore how it might be influencing the counselling relationship.

Difference, prejudice and discrimination are issues that all counsellors need to address as part of their personal and professional development. Counsellor need support and training on these complex issues as this will help the counselor understand the experience of discrimination, as well as explore their own - often unconscious - attitudes to others, based on gender, sexuality, race, culture or mental health, social class, biological sex, gender-role identity, marital status and values and religion or philosophy.

For most counsellor an attitude of acceptance and non-judgmentalism is fundamental to their view of practice. However, in seeking to be non-judgmental, therapists may run the risk of concealing their own prejudices. It is only by facing up to these attitudes and exploring them that therapists are able to fully relate to their clients and help them effectively.