Social Work Counselling

...

When we are a counsellor in future, I think that the empathy element is of most important. We should feel with our client instead of just hearing what our client say. As long as we could feel with our client situation, our client could feel we are actively listening to their heart and thoughts. In the story, this pair of twins could not stand into other shoes to think about the situation. They are both completely affected by the anger. And the negative verbal and non-verbal behavior made the situation even worse.

Moreover, the emotion is the first thing that we need to tackle with our client. This story reminds me that we, human, are always affected by our emotion. The emotion will lead to the aggressive behavior. We have to be good at dealing with their emotions and we do not let bad emotions affect the relationship with the surrounding. It makes the situation deteriorate. Purposely expression of feeling could make the counselling process smooth. If some problems and conflict emerge, we should clam down and work with the problem together. Otherwise, the negative communication happens. It is probably similar to the story.

It is my belief that good communication is mutual. Communication is the most important part of interpersonal relationships. It is the process of interpersonal communication of emotions, attitudes, facts, beliefs, and ideas. Therefore, good communication is a two-way communication process, not a speech. And the verbal and non-verbal behaviors are essential to a good communication. When we are communicate with each other, we could use our non-verbal behavior to express ourselves, such as nodding head when agree with others, looking at others’ eyes and talking with hand movement. These types of minimal encouragers can indicate that you are listening to others and encouraging others to continue the conversation. Also, the attending behaviors can let client know the counsellor is focus to listen to their story. It can let our client willing to tell more.

When we are communicate with others, it is better for us to stand in each other’s position with respect, care and understanding. If we understand the barriers of communication, we should try to break through as much as possible. And we should listen to others with an open mind. And we do not immediately pose the value judgement to others.

Apart from social workers and counsellors, people want to learn some counselling skills to apply in their life in recent years. For example, nurse, manager or policeman in recent years. I think the counselling skills are not patent on counsellors. The shopkeepers can use the empathy and listening skills to handle client’s complaint appropriately. And even to our daily life, we could communicate well with our friends and family to avoid conflicts.