Counselling Psychology Notes
Characteristics of Therapist
Particular personal qualities and characteristics of counselors are significant in
creating a therapeutic alliance with clients
Effective therapists have an identity. They know who they are, what they are
capable of becoming, what they want out of life, and what is essential.
Effective therapists respect and appreciate themselves. They can give and
receive help and love out of their own sense of self-worth and strength. They
feel adequate with others and allow others to feel powerful with them.
Effective therapists are open to change. They exhibit a willingness and
courage to leave the security of the known if they are not satisfied with the
way they are. They make decisions about how they would like to change, and
they work toward becoming the person they want to become.
Effective therapists possess effective interpersonal skills. They are capable of
entering the world of others without getting lost in this world, and they
strive to create collaborative relationships with others. They readily
entertain another person’s perspective and can work together toward
consensual goals.
Effective therapists are authentic, sincere, and honest. They do not hide
behind
rigid roles or facades. Who they are in their personal life and in their
professional work is congruent.
Effective therapists have a sense of humor. They are able to put the events of
life in perspective. They have not forgotten how to laugh, especially at
their own foibles and contradictions.
Effective therapists make mistakes and are willing to admit them. They do not
dismiss their errors lightly, yet they do not choose to dwell on misery.
Effective therapists generally live in the present. They are not riveted to the
past, nor are they fixated on the future. They are able to experience and
Counselling Psychology Notes 1
, be present with others in the “now.”
Effective therapists have a sincere interest in the welfare of others. This
concern
is based on respect, care, trust, and a real valuing of others.
Effective therapists are able to maintain healthy boundaries. Although they
strive to be fully present for their clients, they don’t carry the problems
of their clients around with them during leisure hours. They know how
to say no, which enables them to maintain balance in their lives.
Issues Faced by beginning therapists:
1. Achieving a sense of balance and wellbeing: Providing therapy can be
emotionally draining, As a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to find a
balance between work and personal life, leading to exhaustion and burnout.
2. Developing healthy, helping relationship with the client (defining boundaries):
Building a healthy relationship with clients is crucial for effective therapy, but it
is also important to define boundaries to maintain a professional relationship.
As a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to navigate this balance and
establish clear boundaries with clients.
3. Hesitant on addressing sensitive issues: As a beginner therapist, you may feel
hesitant to address sensitive issues with clients, such as trauma, abuse, or
addiction. It can be challenging to know how to approach these topics
sensitively and without retraumatizing the client.
4. Fear of failure: Beginning therapists may feel anxious about making mistakes
or not being able to help their clients effectively. This fear of failure can lead to
self-doubt and a lack of confidence in their abilities as a therapist.
5. Transference and countertransference: Transference occurs when a client
projects their feelings and emotions onto the therapist, while
countertransference occurs when a therapist projects their own feelings and
emotions onto the client. As a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to
recognize and manage these dynamics in therapy sessions.
Counselling Psychology Notes 2
, 6. Mistakes in diagnosis: A correct diagnosis is essential for effective therapy,
but as a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to diagnose clients
accurately, leading to ineffective treatment.
7. Client difficulties caused by psychological and interpersonal factors (medical
symptoms, side effects of drugs): Clients may present with difficulties that are
caused by medical symptoms or side effects of medication, which can be
challenging for a beginner therapist to recognize and address effectively.
8. Only one diagnosis for a client's problem: As a beginner therapist, it can be
tempting to diagnose a client's problem with a single diagnosis, but this may
not reflect the complexity of the client's issues.
9. Treating a diagnosis as absolute and unchangeable: Treating a diagnosis as
absolute and unchangeable can limit the client's potential for growth and
change. As a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to remain open to
alternative diagnoses or treatment approaches.
10. Ineffective Responses in Communicating: Ineffective communication can
hinder the therapeutic process. Beginner therapists may struggle with
communication, such as excessive questioning, lecturing, or storytelling,
which can be unhelpful for clients.
11. Attitudinal barriers: Beginner therapists may bring their own biases, attitudes,
and beliefs to the therapeutic relationship, which can hinder their ability to
connect with clients and provide effective treatment.
12. Premature advice-giving (dependent behaviour): Beginner therapists may feel
pressure to provide advice to clients, but this can create a dependent
relationship that hinders the client's ability to find their own solutions.
PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY/THERAPY
Basic Assumptions
1. Psychology Causation Underlies Behavior. The psychodynamic approach
assumes that conscious or unconscious thoughts, feelings, and beliefs lie at
the root of psychological problems and disorders. This includes repressed
feelings and thoughts that manifest in everyday behaviour.
Counselling Psychology Notes 3
Characteristics of Therapist
Particular personal qualities and characteristics of counselors are significant in
creating a therapeutic alliance with clients
Effective therapists have an identity. They know who they are, what they are
capable of becoming, what they want out of life, and what is essential.
Effective therapists respect and appreciate themselves. They can give and
receive help and love out of their own sense of self-worth and strength. They
feel adequate with others and allow others to feel powerful with them.
Effective therapists are open to change. They exhibit a willingness and
courage to leave the security of the known if they are not satisfied with the
way they are. They make decisions about how they would like to change, and
they work toward becoming the person they want to become.
Effective therapists possess effective interpersonal skills. They are capable of
entering the world of others without getting lost in this world, and they
strive to create collaborative relationships with others. They readily
entertain another person’s perspective and can work together toward
consensual goals.
Effective therapists are authentic, sincere, and honest. They do not hide
behind
rigid roles or facades. Who they are in their personal life and in their
professional work is congruent.
Effective therapists have a sense of humor. They are able to put the events of
life in perspective. They have not forgotten how to laugh, especially at
their own foibles and contradictions.
Effective therapists make mistakes and are willing to admit them. They do not
dismiss their errors lightly, yet they do not choose to dwell on misery.
Effective therapists generally live in the present. They are not riveted to the
past, nor are they fixated on the future. They are able to experience and
Counselling Psychology Notes 1
, be present with others in the “now.”
Effective therapists have a sincere interest in the welfare of others. This
concern
is based on respect, care, trust, and a real valuing of others.
Effective therapists are able to maintain healthy boundaries. Although they
strive to be fully present for their clients, they don’t carry the problems
of their clients around with them during leisure hours. They know how
to say no, which enables them to maintain balance in their lives.
Issues Faced by beginning therapists:
1. Achieving a sense of balance and wellbeing: Providing therapy can be
emotionally draining, As a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to find a
balance between work and personal life, leading to exhaustion and burnout.
2. Developing healthy, helping relationship with the client (defining boundaries):
Building a healthy relationship with clients is crucial for effective therapy, but it
is also important to define boundaries to maintain a professional relationship.
As a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to navigate this balance and
establish clear boundaries with clients.
3. Hesitant on addressing sensitive issues: As a beginner therapist, you may feel
hesitant to address sensitive issues with clients, such as trauma, abuse, or
addiction. It can be challenging to know how to approach these topics
sensitively and without retraumatizing the client.
4. Fear of failure: Beginning therapists may feel anxious about making mistakes
or not being able to help their clients effectively. This fear of failure can lead to
self-doubt and a lack of confidence in their abilities as a therapist.
5. Transference and countertransference: Transference occurs when a client
projects their feelings and emotions onto the therapist, while
countertransference occurs when a therapist projects their own feelings and
emotions onto the client. As a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to
recognize and manage these dynamics in therapy sessions.
Counselling Psychology Notes 2
, 6. Mistakes in diagnosis: A correct diagnosis is essential for effective therapy,
but as a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to diagnose clients
accurately, leading to ineffective treatment.
7. Client difficulties caused by psychological and interpersonal factors (medical
symptoms, side effects of drugs): Clients may present with difficulties that are
caused by medical symptoms or side effects of medication, which can be
challenging for a beginner therapist to recognize and address effectively.
8. Only one diagnosis for a client's problem: As a beginner therapist, it can be
tempting to diagnose a client's problem with a single diagnosis, but this may
not reflect the complexity of the client's issues.
9. Treating a diagnosis as absolute and unchangeable: Treating a diagnosis as
absolute and unchangeable can limit the client's potential for growth and
change. As a beginner therapist, it can be challenging to remain open to
alternative diagnoses or treatment approaches.
10. Ineffective Responses in Communicating: Ineffective communication can
hinder the therapeutic process. Beginner therapists may struggle with
communication, such as excessive questioning, lecturing, or storytelling,
which can be unhelpful for clients.
11. Attitudinal barriers: Beginner therapists may bring their own biases, attitudes,
and beliefs to the therapeutic relationship, which can hinder their ability to
connect with clients and provide effective treatment.
12. Premature advice-giving (dependent behaviour): Beginner therapists may feel
pressure to provide advice to clients, but this can create a dependent
relationship that hinders the client's ability to find their own solutions.
PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY/THERAPY
Basic Assumptions
1. Psychology Causation Underlies Behavior. The psychodynamic approach
assumes that conscious or unconscious thoughts, feelings, and beliefs lie at
the root of psychological problems and disorders. This includes repressed
feelings and thoughts that manifest in everyday behaviour.
Counselling Psychology Notes 3
