Overview: Being supportive and open to the individuals you counsel is the foundation of successful counseling. However, you may encounter clients whose behaviors and beliefs differ significantly from our own—you may even be completely opposed to them. How do you put those differences aside in the counseling setting so you can provide the best counseling possible? Note that this assignment will prove valuable as you prepare the second part of your final project.
Prompt: Create a journal assignment that addresses the following critical elements:
Discuss the importance of demonstrating support skills such as empathy, OARS (openness, affirming, reflective listening, and summarizing), a respectful and open demeanor, and the right body language.
How will your personal beliefs, attitudes, and biases impact your work with clients? How do you (or will you) manage the occasionally significant differences you will encounter?
