Egan stage 1
Introduction
Gerard Egan published the first edition of “the Skilled Helper” in 1975. He added to the concepts of Carl Rogers by putting together a concept on helping based on skills required at different stages, which became known as “Three stage counseling model”. Egan believed that the core conditions of Empathy, Congruence and unconditional positive regard which Carl Rogers initially identified maybe necessary but are not sufficient. Within this essay I am going to demonstrate my knowledge of the core conditions and how these are used within Egan’s Three-Stage Counseling Model.
Empathy
This is being able to enter the clients own world by stepping into their shoes and being with them from moment to moment. By reflecting back what the client has said and staying with them at their own pace. An empathic listener is able to perceive the clients thoughts, feeling, behaviours and experiences like they were their own. It is important for the listener to recognize their own feelings as they may have shared the same experience as the client however their feelings would have been different from the client as each individual sees things differently, this is called identification and not empathy.
Rogers 1975 (resource material COSCA 2011)
“entering the private perceptual world of the other and becoming thoroughly at home in it”
“communicating your sensings of his/her world as you look with fresh and unfrightened eyes at elements of which the individual is afraid”.
Congruence
This is when the counsellor is being genuine and open with the client and able to disclose what he/she is really thinking and feeling in an honest way. This allows the client to see the counsellor as a real person and can enable the client to feel safe enabling them to be more honest with the counsellor, and more likely to grow in a positive way.
Egan 1986 (resource material COSCA 2011)
“genuine people being at home with themselves in all their interactions. They are
Gerard Egan published the first edition of “the Skilled Helper” in 1975. He added to the concepts of Carl Rogers by putting together a concept on helping based on skills required at different stages, which became known as “Three stage counseling model”. Egan believed that the core conditions of Empathy, Congruence and unconditional positive regard which Carl Rogers initially identified maybe necessary but are not sufficient. Within this essay I am going to demonstrate my knowledge of the core conditions and how these are used within Egan’s Three-Stage Counseling Model.
Empathy
This is being able to enter the clients own world by stepping into their shoes and being with them from moment to moment. By reflecting back what the client has said and staying with them at their own pace. An empathic listener is able to perceive the clients thoughts, feeling, behaviours and experiences like they were their own. It is important for the listener to recognize their own feelings as they may have shared the same experience as the client however their feelings would have been different from the client as each individual sees things differently, this is called identification and not empathy.
Rogers 1975 (resource material COSCA 2011)
“entering the private perceptual world of the other and becoming thoroughly at home in it”
“communicating your sensings of his/her world as you look with fresh and unfrightened eyes at elements of which the individual is afraid”.
Congruence
This is when the counsellor is being genuine and open with the client and able to disclose what he/she is really thinking and feeling in an honest way. This allows the client to see the counsellor as a real person and can enable the client to feel safe enabling them to be more honest with the counsellor, and more likely to grow in a positive way.
Egan 1986 (resource material COSCA 2011)
“genuine people being at home with themselves in all their interactions. They are
Bibliography: Gerard Egan (7th Edition) The skilled Helper, Brooke & Cole Margaret Hough (3rd Edition) Counselling skills and theory, Hodder education Resource Material COSCA 2011