1. What is Counseling? 💬

Counseling ay ang professional relationship kung saan ang counselor ay tumutulong sa client na mag-explore ng personal issues, emotions, at behaviors, para maghanap ng solutions.

Counseling Focus

Personal growth
Problem-solving
Emotional support
Behavioral change

Different from Therapy

Therapy = treat mental illness
Counseling = help with issues
Both use similar skills!

2. Carl Rogers' Core Conditions 🤝

The foundation of effective counseling - ang 3 essential attitudes na dapat may counselor:

Core Condition	Meaning	In Practice
1. Empathy	Understanding client's feelings from their perspective	"I understand you're feeling scared" vs "You shouldn't be scared"
2. Unconditional Positive Regard	Accept client WITHOUT judgment, even if you disagree	Client shares mistake → counselor responds with compassion, not criticism
3. Congruence	Be genuine, authentic, real - align actions with words	Counselor feels sad → shows sadness. Don't fake happiness when client is hurting

3. Active Listening Skills 👂

The most important counseling tool! Listening is NOT passive - it's active work:

🔄 Paraphrasing

What: Restate what client said in your own words. Why: Shows you understand, clarifies meaning.

Client: "I hate my job, my boss is so mean to me!"

Counselor: "So you're frustrated because your boss treats you badly at work?"

💭 Reflecting Feelings

What: Identify and name the EMOTIONS you hear. Why: Validates feelings, helps client feel understood.

Client: "My parents didn't come to my graduation..."

Counselor: "That sounds really hurtful and disappointing for you."

📝 Summarizing

What: Briefly recap key points client shared. Why: Confirms understanding, helps organize thoughts.

Counselor: "So you've been having trouble sleeping, feeling worried, and avoiding friends. Is that right?"

❓ Open-Ended Questions

What: Ask questions that require more than yes/no. Why: Encourages deeper exploration.

Good: "Tell me about your relationship with your mother."

Bad: "Do you have a good relationship?" (Yes/No = closed-ended)

🤐 Appropriate Silence

What: Give client time to think without rushing. Why: Respects processing time, shows patience.

Don't fill every pause with words - sometimes silence is therapeutic!

4. Counseling Stages 📈

A typical counseling session has these stages:

Stage	Goal	Counselor Does
1. Opening/Rapport	Build trust & safe environment	Warmth, eye contact, comfortable setting, explain confidentiality
2. Exploration	Understand problem deeply	Ask open questions, listen actively, reflect feelings
3. Understanding	Identify patterns & root causes	Summarize, interpret, help client see bigger picture
4. Action/Problem-Solving	Create plan for change	Brainstorm solutions, set goals, assign homework
5. Closing/Termination	Wrap up & plan future	Summarize progress, review goals, schedule next session

5. Common Counseling Challenges 🚧

Things that can go wrong at how to handle them:

Client Silence

Client doesn't share much. Solution: Wait patiently, use open questions, normalize the silence.

Resistance

Client disagrees, defensive, doesn't want to change. Solution: Don't push, meet them where they are, validate feelings.

Transference

Client projects feelings about others onto counselor (e.g., sees counselor as parent). Solution: Acknowledge it, don't take it personally, redirect.

Countertransference

Counselor has emotional reaction to client (e.g., reminds of someone). Solution: Be aware of your feelings, seek supervision, don't let it affect care.

6. Ethics in Counseling 📜

Counselors MUST follow these ethical standards:

Confidentiality: What client shares stays private (except danger to self/others)
No Dual Relationships: Can't be client's friend, employer, or family at same time
Competence: Only work with issues you're trained for
Informed Consent: Client knows goals, methods, fees, limitations
Boundaries: Professional relationship only - no romantic/sexual contact

7. Practice Questions 📚

Common Exam Questions

Q1: What is empathy in counseling?

A: Understanding client's feelings FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE, not your own. It's "feeling with" not "feeling for".

Q2: How do paraphrasing and reflection differ?

A: Paraphrasing = restate what was said (content). Reflection = identify emotions (feelings). Both show understanding!

Q3: What is transference?

A: Client projects feelings from past relationships onto counselor. "You remind me of my father" = client might react emotionally based on past, not present.

Q4: Can a counselor break confidentiality?

A: YES - when there's danger to self/others, abuse of children/elderly, court order. Otherwise, it's confidential!

Q5: What's an example of an open-ended question?

A: "Tell me about your family" or "How did that make you feel?" vs closed "Do you have family?" (Yes/No)

Q6: What should you NOT do in counseling?

A: Don't give unsolicited advice, impose your values, have dual relationships, break confidentiality without consent, or have romantic involvement!

💚 Counselor's Heart

The best counselors combine: Empathy + Skills + Boundaries + Continuous Learning

Remember: You don't have to fix the client. You help them discover their own solutions! 🌟

Counseling