In the course of this counseling session, I engaged in transformational talk since it is a difficult task dealing with one’s mental well-being. This relationship was cultivated by adopting some aspects of various counseling theories as part of CBT. The theories I have chosen are highly relevant to this investigation since I accept that the client’s identity influences the therapeutic process. This is similar to the implementation of CBTS in that it looks into its effects on the client’s emotional state.
Mastery of Counseling Technique
While in counseling, I used cognitive behavioral therapy as the primary counseling method, and I will discuss further the CBT theory and how I found it helpful. Therefore, CBT is considered an evidence-based model that is well-accepted and frequently used among practitioners in the psychotherapy field (Chan et al., 2022). Therefore, it is fundamentally based on the notion that we think as we feel and thus behave. This theory states that people’s beliefs and understanding of an event go a long way in determining their emotional reactions and behavioral responses. The goal is to discover unhealthy thought patterns and refocus them toward healthy emotions and acceptable behaviors.
During this session, with the help of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, we had an open conversation with the client concerning their way of thinking and emotions. Together, we found situations where the client’s thoughts were encouraging unfavorable feelings and self-defeating actions. Through analysis, we sought to question these ideas’ usefulness and accuracy to substitute more logical and beneficial ideas eventually (van der Zweerde et al., 2019).
My comprehension of CBT as a therapeutic approach has developed as a result of both theoretical research and real-world experience. I applied the organized, goal-oriented approach central to CBT’s effectiveness during the session. I supported a transforming experience by leading the client through self-exploration, recognizing automatic ideas, and evaluating the veracity of such thoughts.
Using CBT in practice can be both rewarding and challenging. Even though the underlying idea is well-researched and proven to work, counseling sessions can have complex real-world dynamics. It took skill to balance empathy, active listening, and asking insightful questions to uncover habitual beliefs. Furthermore, it was critical to modify CBT to fit the client’s particular experiences and emotional terrain.
Areas for Improvement
After reviewing my counseling session and evaluating my work, I have realized that there are a few things I may have done better. Active Listening and Empathy: During the session, I tried to be attentive and empathic, although there were times when I could have done a better job of it. I passed up the chance to learn more about the client’s thoughts and experiences, for example, when they recounted a particularly touching moment. By giving clients more room to express themselves fully and using open-ended questions to enable a deeper examination of their feelings, I hope to enhance my active listening in the future (Jones et al., S. D. (2019).
Cultural Sensitivity: It became clear that I need to improve my understanding of cultural quirks and how they affect the counseling process. I should have been more aware that the client’s experiences and mental processes were greatly influenced by their background and cultural setting (Handtke et al., 2019). I intend to take additional cultural competence classes and make a concerted effort to learn more about the many origins of my clients in order to get better in this area.
When I think back on my own development and awareness, this therapy session has allowed me to progress remarkably. Deep insights into the intricacies of human emotions and the value of the counselor-client connection were provided by the process.
My awareness of the counseling process and its critical role in assisting people in overcoming obstacles and making positive changes has deepened due to this experience. It has also made me more aware of how different every client’s journey is and how important it is to approach them with compassion and an open mind.
I now have a strong understanding of the value of self-reflection in therapy. The significance of consistently evaluating and enhancing my abilities has been emphasized since it has a direct bearing on the efficacy of the therapeutic procedure. This realization will motivate me to pursue possibilities for continued career growth and self-improvement.
Proficiency in Counseling Skills
Upon assessing my competency in counseling, I have acquired a sophisticated comprehension of both micro and macro abilities, acknowledging their indispensable function in establishing a fruitful therapeutic milieu.
Micro Skills: I have become very aware of micro-skills, the small but crucial elements of good counseling communication. Among these abilities are paraphrasing, non-verbal clues, and active listening. I continuously used these techniques during the therapy session, exhibiting a sophisticated comprehension of their importance. I engaged with the client empathetically and validated their feelings by using active listening. I also used paraphrase to make sure I fully comprehended the client’s experiences. These little abilities helped to establish the rapport and trust that are necessary for a fruitful counseling session.
Macro Skills: I have a firm understanding of the macro skills required for successful counseling, going beyond micro-skills. These macro abilities cover the more general components of counseling, like creating goals, organizing sessions, and using therapeutic methods. I successfully created the framework for the session, making sure that it had a distinct beginning, middle, and end. In addition, I effectively included therapeutic approaches from the selected counseling theory, which was crucial in resolving the client’s issues (Handtke et al.,2019)
After extending a warm welcome to the client and creating a haven, I have developed a professionally sophisticated degree of proficiency and sympathetic involvement. As soon as the client walked into the session, I realized how important it was to create a welcoming and secure environment. Establishing a safe and secure therapeutic relationship with them begins with a sincere smile and a sympathetic greeting. I kept the environment friendly and open throughout the session, which encouraged the client’s candor and willingness to communicate.
Conclusion
In summary, this counseling session and the self-reflection that followed have been crucial to my development as a counselor. I have proven that I can implement counseling approaches with skill, that I have a sophisticated grasp of both macro and micro abilities, and that I greet and interact with clients with empathy. My introspection has revealed my remarkable personal development and awareness, as well as areas that still need work. This experience has highlighted the significance of ongoing education and self-awareness in the counseling profession. I am dedicated to developing my abilities and building stronger relationships with customers in order to offer empathetic and efficient help going ahead.
References
Chand, S. P., Kuckel, D. P., & Huecker, M. R. (2022). Cognitive behavior therapy. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Handtke, O., Schilgen, B., & Mösko, M. (2019). Culturally competent healthcare–A scoping review of strategies implemented in healthcare organizations and a model of culturally competent healthcare provision. PloS one, 14(7), e0219971.
Jones, S. M., Bodie, G. D., & Hughes, S. D. (2019). The impact of mindfulness on empathy, active listening, and perceived provisions of emotional support. Communication Research, 46(6), 838–865.
van der Zweerde, T., Bisdounis, L., Kyle, S. D., Lancee, J., & van Straten, A. (2019). Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: a meta-analysis of long-term effects in controlled studies. Sleep medicine reviews48, 101208.
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