COUNSELOR IDENTITY AND GROUP THERAPY

Amy Rosechandler, Ms, LMHC working with teens and adults at a local University counselling centre & counselor in her own private practice, clarity Mental Health Counselling. http://claritymentalhealth.org/about.php

  

Source: Google

Based on the article sharing by Amy Rosechandler (2016) one or the members of the American Counselling Association (ACA), she talked about counselor identity and group therapy. As a counselor we have to prepare ourselves, respect the group and encouraging group members.

        

Source: Google

Why we have to being prepared?? Just imagine that we are having a session with people that addict to drugs. Then how we want to consult them to change if we knows nothing about drugs. So that, we need a prepare-ration. Background of our client, their interest, what was the current issues about them and some supported information ready on hand to be deliver. So that our client will get something valuable in that session, at least they felt accepted.

By hook or by crook, always remember ‘respect the group’ although what type and what kind the group it is. People can change! As a counselor be a supportive to encouraging our group members to feel free on sharing and have motivation to move to the next level in their life.

Source: Google

In a group of therapy, when we dealing with human, do understand their social systems. Sometimes, there are some reason that hard to tell to others on why they took that decision. Role as a group counselor, we have to listen. Not a simple listen, but listen attentively. Make client feels our present and lets the nature control the group flows.

Yes, as a counselor we also have to developing cohesion in groups. Let the members feels the connection. They should know that they were sharing on right place with right person.

Last but not least, as a counselor, we have to promote a change in group; direct feedback, emotion stimulation, cognitive thinking and all the basic skills that the counselor should have.

Just be yourself and enjoy the group!

You are already trained to be a good counselor. PLEASE, PROOF IT!!!

Written by : AQILAH YUSOFF (46329)

Counselling second year student of UNIMAS.