Counselling Skills
Social Service Students will be placed in Community Agencies in the third and fourth semesters of their program. It is here that they will practice and develop their counselling skills. There are several individual components to counselling that must be learned and developed before the student can effectively counsel a client.
For example, they must know how to develop a relationship with a client which includes things such as active listening skills (eye contact, body language, questioning, paraphrasing, using silence), positive regard, appropriate counsellor exposure, and when humour is suitable.
Another skill the student will require is that of empowering the client which will build their confidence and self-esteem. The student must be able to identify the client’s strengths and encourage the client to recognize these strengths. They must be supportive and provide the client with the necessary tools and resources to be successful.
Students will also need to know how to challenge or confront the client so that they can critically examine their own actions.
The student must be very self-aware so as to not let their personal beliefs and values affect their ability to effectively counsel a client.
Once the student is confident in these areas, they can put these skills to work helping their clients.
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