Introduction.

In this reflective essay I will provide an analysis of the counselling session I conducted and recorded. This will include a summary of the session. I will also describe the micro and advanced counselling skills utalised, as well as a critical evaluation of their effectiveness. A discussion of my application of these skills, as well as areas of possible improvement will supported by reference to relevant literature.

Summary of the session.

Leesa is a 37-year-old woman who I have seen around four months previously. At the previous session Leesa spoke of her frustrations at work and of her hopes of securing a promotion.
Leesa’s presentation was one of lethargy consistent with someone who was suffering feelings of …show more content…

And that the most important to be: “ genuinely yourself and aim to create a real, trusting, caring empathetic relationship with the person seeking help.” Examples of when I utalised reflective listening techniques would include: When the client had explained the reasons why she had left her previous employment, I reflected back by saying: “ So you’ve left there you weren’t happy with that job, you felt like you were unfairly treated, is that..?” Another example would have been after the client had explained that she had experienced a number of negative employment situations within a short period of time. I reflected back: “ Would I be right to suggest that perhaps you are feeling a bit stuck, you’re not really sure what you are doing? ”.
Questioning Techniques and Advanced Counselling Skills.
During the session I used a range of open and closed questions. I opened the session by referring back to the subject of her difficulties at work covered in the previous session and then asked: “ How has that been going?” Later I asked the client: “Can you tell me a little more about the situation, what was going on for you?” Overall I was happy with the mix of open and closed questions. It felt like I was getting the information I needed, without interrupting the client. The counseling modality I used was solution focused. I tried to structure the session with Egan’s ‘Three Stage Model’ in mind. Egan (2010) provides a structured