Understanding and Evaluating the Concept of Counselling Relationship

Running head: COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP
COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP
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The aim of this paper is to understand and evaluate the concept of counselling and
counselling relationship in reference to the theories of the discipline. The idea of counselling
relationship is based on the establishment of the cordial relationship between the counsellor
and the clients. According to the formal definition of the same, it is counselling is the
process for ensuring multiple positive benefits to the clients including higher awareness of
the issue and the probable solution of the same(Erb, 2019). It is also the process of
developing the feeling of positivity by extending support through empathy and
understanding. There are number of positive aspects of like building the relationship of trust
and providing a clear vision of the issues. However counselling is not giving mere advice
without understanding the issue or passing judgements. The role of the effective counsellor is
diverse and complex at times since it is development of attitude of cooperation with the client
and working as part of the team. This is helpful in building the relationship of the client and
counsellor. There are number of qualities of an effective counsellor like excellent
communication skills, developing empathy towards the clients, problem solving skills and
flexibility. However the most common characteristics have been sound communication
skills since the ability to listen and clearly explain the issue to the client is essential to
develop. Moreover such communication is to base on the non-judgemental acceptance of the
viewpoints of the clients in order to bridge any form of communication gap. Warmth and
empathy are the two pillars of the developing appositive counselling relationship since the
only factor a client is expecting is empathy and ability to listen. However it is important to
consider the understanding by referring it to the three dominant theories of the disciplines.
According to the “ existential therapy” method, the process is more centred to developing
free-will and self-determination, it is more of focusing on the self than the symptoms. The
role of the therapist here is to develop the capacity of the individual towards self-awareness
and re-creation of the individual due to the changes occurring at a constant pace. However