Counseling Techniques

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Counseling Techniques Counselors use different counseling techniques to manage and improve their clients' mental health. These tools create a base for empowering people to lead healthier and more satisfying lives (Boswell, 2021). Various factors including age, mental health, professional, culture, and marital status, influence the selection of counseling techniques. Counselors select the technique that best suits the mental health need and interests of their clients. The most effective and commonly used counseling techniques are directive counseling, non-directive counseling, and eclectic counseling.

Directive counseling This counseling technique is counselor-centered, implying that the counselor is actively involved in assisting individuals in learning to create long-term solutions to their problems. Carl Rodgers founded this technique in the 1940s (Rassool, 2015). In directive counseling, the counselor performs most of the tasks involved in counseling, including assessing, analyzing, diagnosing, prescribing and following up with clients. This technique requires less time to conduct than other interventions. It also reflects the counselor’s authority hence reducing noncompliance among clients.

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The counselor uses critical thinking skills to provide reliable services to the client.

However, this counseling technique destroys the client's independence and ability to make decisions. Counselors can apply this technique to analyze, diagnose and make a prognosis of alcohol problems. The counselor guides the client on the best interventions for alcoholism.

Non-Directive Counselling Non-directive counseling is a client-centered intervention whereby the client assumes a pivotal role in the counseling process. Carl Rodgers also formulated this technique in the 1940s.

The advantages of this counseling technique are that it focuses on the client's independence and integration of their needs into the counseling process. The counselor utilizes mutual trust, understanding, and acceptance to create a rapport with the client (Singh, n.d.). Importantly, the counselor assists the client in analyzing and synthesizing the problem to develop a solution that suits their interests. Unfortunately, this technique is time-consuming and unsuitable for less mature clients and those with intellectual disabilities (Singh, n.d.). The counselor assumes a passive role, thus irritating the client. Some clients might even fail to express their feeling once they detect the counselor’s passive approach. Counselors can apply non-directive counseling in an alcoholic case with effective outcomes. The counselor provides a platform where clients can express their feelings, followed by progressive insight development (Singh, n.d.). The client slowly recognizes and accepts their attitudes, desires and appropriate course of action.

Eclectic Counselling Eclectic counseling combines directive and non-directive techniques depending on the client’s situation. This technique is typified by the counselor’s freedom to select the counseling intervention appropriate to the client at a specific time. This technique differs from other interventions since the counselor can apply the counseling technique that promises positive

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results even though the theoretical bases differ significantly (Rassool, 2015). Unfortunately, some clients believe that eclectic counseling technique is vague and superficial. They believe that this technique is opportunistic and does not help the parties address the key problems (Rassool, 2015). Clinicians might also experience challenges determining how much freedom to grant their clients. Counselors can employ eclectic counseling for alcoholic clients. The counselor analyses, diagnoses, and prescribes while allowing clients to express their feelings.

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Conclusion Directive, non-directive and eclectic counseling are important counseling techniques that counselors could use in treating persons with alcohol-related disorders. These techniques allow the parties to assess the situations and identify the most suitable interventions. Counselors conduct client follow-ups to enhance compliance and ensure targeted goals are attained.

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References Boswell, J. F. (2021). Deliberate Practice In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Amer Psychological Assoc.

Rassool, G. H. (2015). Islamic counseling: An introduction to theory and practice. Routledge.

Singh, Y. K. (n.d.). Guidance and career counseling. Aph Publishing Corporation.