Micro-Counselling Skills are specific aptitudes that a counsellor can utilize to enhance their therapeutic alliance and establish a foundation for communication with their client (AIPC, 2009). These skills can each be learnt individually and when mastered, empowers a counsellor to effectively construct a working relationship and engage clients in discussions that is both helpful and meaningful.
Rapport Building
Rapport Building is the first step in initiating a therapeutic relationship with a client and it is the ability to relate to a client in a way that creates a level of trust and understanding (Ivey, Ivey & Zalaquett, 2017, p 212-213). It is imperative for a counselor to build rapport with their client because …show more content…
it gets there unconscious mind to accept and begin to process the counselor’s suggestions (Meyers, 2014). Therefore, creating rapport in a counseling relationship requires work, proper planning and dedication.
Active Listening
Active Listening is executed when the counselor learns to put a deliberate effort into actively listening, which aids in building up affinity and establishing trust in the therapeutic relationship (Geldard & Geldard 2005, p.40-41).
This assist the counsellor to make the client feel understood and this pushes the client to reveal data. It involves the following micro-skills: - use of minimal encouragers paraphrasing, reframing and reflection (Geldard & Geldard 2005, p.40-41).
Minimal Encouragers
Minimal Encouragers is an effect method that a counsellor would implement during a counselling process to inform the client that they have their full attention and they are listening to what the client is saying (Geldard & Geldard 2005, p.41-42). It can take the form of non-verbal, verbal and also an expression.
Paraphrasing of Content
Paraphrasing of Content is a critical skill that the counselor utilizes to paraphrase or reflect back to the client what he/she has just said (Geldard & Geldard 2005, p.48). The counsellor would select the pertinent information and thoughts that make up the content of what the client has shared and re-express it in the counsellor’s own words, rather than in the client’s.
Reflection of
Feelings
Reflection of Feelings is when the counsellor is able to reflect back emotional feelings, they are letting the client know that they are empathizing with them and are in touch with the way they are feeling (Geldard & Geldard 2005, p.56). It is one of the most powerful micro-counselling skills when used effectively at appropriate times in the counselling sessions.
Opening questions
Opening questions usually begin with “how, when, what, where, can and could” (AIPC, 2009). In counselling it is crucial that a counsellor use open questions to explore a client’s concerns because it would aid in eliciting more information. Since, it is not restricted, the client has more flexibility and has a chance expound on their situation in the appropriate response.