Helping Relationship and Counseling Theory

Preparation stage of transtheoretical model of change

Understands need to take change & has taken "Baby Steps" to change

Action stage of transtheoretical model of change

� Most active stage of change
� Has changed overt behavior for less than 6 months

Maintenance stage of transtheoretical model of change

� Ability to maintain change over time is hard
� Has changed overt behavior for more than 6 months
� Termination
� Has long-term control over behavior

Termination (added) stage of transtheoretical model of change

Has long-term control over behavior

Precontemplation Stage of Change�change strategies used by therapist

� Help them realize the need to change
� Discuss risks & benefits on personal level

Contemplation Stage of Change�change strategies used by therapist

Motivate, encourage making specific plans

Preparation Stage of Change�change strategies used by therapist

� Assist with developing & implementing concrete action plans
� Help set gradual goals

Action Stage of Change�change strategies used by therapist

Provide feedback, social support, problem-solving, reinforcement

Maintenance Stage of Change�change strategies used by therapist

Assist with coping, reminders, finding alternatives, avoiding relapses

Termination Stage of Change�change strategies used by therapist

Send them on their way

What is the helping relationship (definition)

Professional, client focused relationship (process) that enables the person to grow in the direction of his/her own choosing, to solve problems and to face crisis; not mutual--client is not obligated to "give"; TR-purposeful, time limited, unequal; always

Professional boundaries

� do not share info about the self, unless it will help client
� Ask yourself, "Why am I sharing this info?"
� use of "authority

Stages of a Helping Relationship

� Building the relationship
� Facilitating positive action
� Termination

Building the relationship stage of a helping relationship

entry
- preparing the client and opening the relationship; setting/environment are important; handling resistance
clarification
- state the problem or concern & reasons for seeking help; Ask "what & how" questions
structure
- formulating the contract and

Facilitating positive action stage of a helping relationship

exploration
--exploring problems, formulating goals, planning strategies, gathering facts, expressing deeper feelings, learning new skills
consolidation
--exploring alternatives, working through feelings, preparing for the decision or action; further clar

Termination stage of a helping relationship

� Summarize and highlight work completed
� Encourage helpee to summarize
� Encourage independent application of learned principles and strategies
� Referrals, follow-up (carry over to environment)
� Close relationship
� Separation and loss
� Termination a

Skills needed to terminate a helping relationship

� Clarify meaning of relationship
� Consolidate gains
� Facilitate carry-over to environment
� Model appropriate reactions to feelings

How the professional may do harm to the client

� helper's need to dominate may be barrier
� may continue relationship due to your own "need to be needed" (motivations for helping)
� doing something for someone without their consent is frequently manipulative and often destructive
� can also create dep

Potential dilemmas for the helper

� How to stay aligned with agency yet supportive of client
� If helper's attitude is one of "doing something to" client or changing them
� Clients who demonstrate untrustworthy or irresponsible behaviors
� need to communicate a belief in their ability to

Aim or goal of helping relationship

� facilitate an awareness of alternatives and assessing readiness for action
� maximize client's potential growth
� preventing or relieving problems
� facilitate growth leading to independence and self-sufficiency
� encourage client to decide his/her own

Role of self-awareness in helping


Knowing ourselves
"--Need self awareness to help others
� Makes us more able to respond to others
� Must feel reasonably satisfied with yourself as a person before entering into fully effective helping relationship
� Helper should not be concerned with

Difference between friendship and helping relationship

� Mutuality in friendship (give & take)
� Friendship focuses on each party in relationship equally
� Not time limited
� Friend may not always be honest, realistic, responsible

Characteristics of effective helpers

� Ability to Communicate
� Knowledge Base
� What is TR's knowledge base?
� Skills and Abilities?
� Strong Belief in Recreation & Leisure Experiences

Transtheoretical Model of Change (concept)

Change & readiness to change are complex; variable by person, by day by hour

5 Stages of transtheoretical model of change

� Precontemplation
� Contemplation
� Preparation
� Action
� Maintenance
(termination)

Precontemplation stage of transtheoretical model of change

� Doesn't know there is a problem--"Ignorance is bliss"
� Has no intention of taking action

Contemplation stage of transtheoretical model of change

Is aware of issue & need to make change but has not taken steps to change-- "I should change, but....