Reflective Essay on Counselling Session Analysis

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1COUNSELLING PRACTICE
Introduction
In this reflective essay, I will be analysing my counselling session that I had with a
client. In this analysis, I will be breaking down several key aspects of the counselling session
pertaining to the specific set if skills and micro skills connected with counselling that I had
displayed in the process (De Stefano, Mann-Feder & Gazzola, 2010). The focus of this
assessment will be on how I, as a counsellor, helped my client on the first day of her
counselling session, how appropriately I was able to address her issues, what kind of skills
and attributes that I displayed and what the parts are where I lacked the most. This assessment
will look at Egan’s Skilled Helper Solution Focused Counselling Approach (Rigall, 2012;
Egan, 2018) in order to determine key counselling attributes that has helped me as well as will
help me in the future with my practice.
Assessment
The first thing that the counselling session displays is the way I started the counselling
session. At the very beginning, I started with an introduction of myself, asked how she was on
the particular day and also asked if she would like a cup of tea or coffee which she
respectfully declined. This was done as a primary ice breaker in the counselling session
(Trower, Jones & Dryden, 2015) and making sure that the client does not feel out of place and
can remain in an established and comfortable zone. After that I asked her what brought her to
the counselling centre. She replied that she needed help with her troublesome relationship
with her husband but she was unsure of whether or not she would disclose her personal
information with me. In response to that, I assured her that she has no need for worry as
whatever information is shared by her would remain strictly confidential between her and me
(Bond & Mitchels, 2014). This assurance was important as it helps the clients understand

2COUNSELLING PRACTICE
what they are getting into as well as rest assured that the secrecy of the disclosure will be
given significant priority. It also helps the clients be freer and more open about their issues.
As we moved into the main counselling, the first thing that I did was ask her about her
issues. I specifically asked an open ended question, “So what brought you here today?”, in
order for her to be able to answer the question It is important to know about the issues of the
client in order to move forward with the session, however, it is also equally important to know
how to approach the issue. Often asking direct questions in an interrogative tone can
intimidate the client and obstruct the free flowing communication. This is where Egan’s
Skilled Helper Solution Focused Counselling Approach comes into play. The first aspect that
I noticed in relation with the counselling practice is my use of SOLER as an effective
listening skill (Stickley, 2011). Being an effective listener is one of the key requisites of being
an effective counsellor. In the session, I tried to ensure that I followed all the five steps
highlighted in SOLER. Firstly, I faced the client squarely as well as maintained an open
posture. I also made sure that wherever required, I leaned appropriately towards the client.
Throughout the main discussion session, I also maintained proper eye contact with the client.
My posture throughout the session was very relaxed which in my opinion helped my client be
comfortable around me and discuss her issues.
There are other specific counselling micro skills that I displayed. For instance, when I
asked client about her issues with her husband and followed it up with other questions, it
displayed that I have engaged attending behaviour and questioning (Strawbridge & Woolfe,
2010). Employing attending behaviour was important as it enables the client to understand
that their issues are being given importance. Similarly questioning was important in this case
as firstly, it allows the client to share more relevant information regarding their issues and
secondly, it establishes the belief that whatever the issues of the client are, they are not being
overlooked (Strawbridge & Woolfe, 2010).