Counselling Skills Report: Normalizing, Goal Setting, and Strategies

This report examines two key counselling skills: normalizing and goal setting. Normalizing is presented as a technique to help clients adapt by assuring them that their experiences are common, utilizing effective communication to influence their psychology and encourage acceptance of their situation. The report highlights the importance of communication, empathy, and practical experience in honing this skill, referencing studies on its application in various contexts. Goal setting is then discussed as a crucial element in counselling, aiding clients in defining and achieving their objectives. The report explores the theory of goal setting, emphasizing its role in motivating clients and providing direction, and outlines principles for effective goal setting, including the SMART goal plan. The report suggests training, workshops, and consultation with senior professionals as avenues for skill development. References to supporting research are provided for both techniques.

Running head:COUNSELLING SKILL
COUNSELLING SKILL
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

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Normalising
Normalizing is the type of counselling technique that focuses on to make the client adapt
to the surrounding environment. The theory of normalizing refers to the fundamental theme in
the behaviour of human and their way of interaction (Beauchemin, 2018). They put their effort
into showcasing the thing as normal and ordinary for active participation of people in the
counselling. Normalizing is the other important skill of counselling that make use of
communication to make the people feel common. At this point in time, it is worth to note that
many people may feel awkward in the situation that is out of their normal life. This type of
psychology of people is depicted as the barrier for overcoming the negative characteristics
connected with the case (Gagnon et al., 2018). Therefore, the counsellor makes use of the theory
of normalizing, which is regarded as the continuous process in which the counsellor assures the
client that their condition is the same as other people. Normalizing makes use of effective
communication that influences the psychology of the client. It makes them accept their situation
and take the step to solve different type of barrier of life.
It is evident from the research of Svinhufvud, Voutilainen and Weiste (2017) where the
author has made use of the normalizing technique in counselling of students. The author has
sought to discuss the concerned area related to the academics, time management and motivation
by examining the verbal activity of normalizing. In the study of Xanidis and Gumley (2019), the
author has used normalizing counselling skill in the technique of cognitive behavioural therapy
for treating schizophrenia. It has helped in reducing the emotional reaction like anxiety,
depression and stress. It is indicated in the study of Coutinh, Perrone-McGovern and Gonçalves
(2017) that normalising skill of counselling helpsin making people feel secure and confident so
that they can handle the situation effectively.

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Different strategies like verbal and non-verbal communication can be implemented to
sharpen the skill of normalizing. It is important to listen and decipher the needs of the clients by
communicating effectively. It is reported in the study conducted by El-Dahiyat, Curley and
Babar (2019) about the importance of communication in developing soft skills. The key
relationship among the customer and the seller can be created by the presence of empathy.
Empathy helps the counsellor in being in the place of the customer and understands their
perspective of the situation (Gagnon et al., 2018). The process of normalising can be enhanced
when the customers are made understood about their concerns being normal.
The future direction for learning such skill can be conceptualised by getting training and
theoretical knowledge by referring to a peer-reviewed journal and academic book. Moreover,
people can also get involved in practical experience to imbibe such learning.
Goal setting
Goal setting is the crucial aspect of counselling that help people to excel in their life.A
counsellor must have the skill to help the client to set the goal to recognize the things that people
need to achieve. The theory of goal setting can be related to the study ofvan de Glind et al.
(2015), where the author has suggested that goal setting helps people to move toward a positive
direction. As a consequence, the client who has their specific goal does not involve to get into
the aimless behaviour. The theory of goal setting also suggests that once the purpose of the client
is set, they are motivated and encouraged towards their personal goal. According to the study
ofTaylor et al. (2016), it is inferred that people with a bright and realistic goal needs to be
supported to achieve it. The theory also highlights the role of the counsellor in goal setting by
saying that they tend toencourage the clientto move with their goal. They also help them to find
different strategies through which it can be accomplished.

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There are many recent studies which support the concept of goal setting as the essential
aspect of counselling. Kaakinen, Ervasti and Kääriäinen (2017) have made use of goal setting
related to improvement in health behaviour and promoting wellness. vanDillen et al. (2015) has
identified five different goal-setting skill that a counsellor should develop. This includes
planning and monitoring, focusing, time management, being flexible and self-confident. It is
essential to plan things and monitor the progress pathway with proper time management and
confidence. Hesse et al. (2015) have researched the coping strategies and problem solving
ability, where the author has made the use of goal setting ability. The author has suggested that
people with a particular psychological issue like anxiety, depression and stress need to have a
goal for a positive and healthy life for coping or solving the problem. Thus, it can be said that
Goal setting is a significant aspect of the development of a healthy lifestyle.
In the study of Greco and Kraimer (2019), it is highlighted that goal setting is the central
point in the process of counselling, where the client needs to be positive and optimistic. In
addition to this, the goal-setting theory by Locke and Latham (2002) identifies five principles
that help in drawing an efficient goal plan. The clarity, challenge, commitment, feedback and
complexity of task are the five principles identified by them. Moreover, goals can also be drawn
by the SMART goal plan. A specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-frame are the
characteristics of this model which helps in creating an effective goal. For setting an effective
goal, the weak area of the person needs to be identified which directly addresses the issue.
In order to develop such strategies and skill for goal setting in life, one can get into the
training program where one can learn the different ways to assess the area of concern. It will also
help to learn methods for goal setting. Attending workshop also helps to develop and discover

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several of goal setting that a counsellor should have. Moreover, consulting and discussing to the
senior psychologist and counsellor can also be useful in enhancing the skills development.

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Reference
Beauchemin, K. (2018). Through the Looking Glass: Reflecting on Counsellor Dreams for
Enhanced Self-Care and Effective Practice. International Journal for the Advancement of
Counselling, 40(1), 52-59.
Coutinho, J. F., Perrone-McGovern, K. M., & Gonçalves, Ó. F. (2017). The use of neuroimaging
methodology in counselling psychology research: Promises, pitfalls, and
recommendations. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy/Revue
canadienne de counseling et de psychothérapie, 51(4).
El-Dahiyat, F., Curley, L. E., & Babar, Z. U. D. (2019). A survey study to measure the practice
of patient counselling and other community pharmacy services in Jordan. Journal of
Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, 10(1), 133-139.
Gagnon, J. C., Fortier, M., McFadden, T., & Plante, Y. (2018). Investigating the behaviour
change techniques and motivational interviewing techniques in physical activity
counselling sessions. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 36, 90-99.
Greco, L. M., & Kraimer, M. L. (2019). Goal-setting in the career management process: An
identity theory perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology.
Hesse, F., Care, E., Buder, J., Sassenberg, K., & Griffin, P. (2015). A framework for teachable
collaborative problem solving skills. In Assessment and teaching of 21st century
skills (pp. 37-56). Springer, Dordrecht.
Kaakinen, P., Ervasti, H., & Kääriäinen, M. (2017). Quality of counselling for knee and shoulder
arthroscopy patients during day surgery. International journal of orthopaedic and trauma
nursing, 24, 12-20.

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Svinhufvud, K., Voutilainen, L., & Weiste, E. (2017). Normalizing in student counseling:
Counselors’ responses to students’ problem descriptions. Discourse Studies, 19(2), 196-
215.
Taylor, L. M., Moriartey, S., Stadnyk, J., & Basualdo-Hammond, C. (2016). Assessment of
Registered Dietitians’ beliefs and practices for a nutrition counselling
approach. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, 77(3), 140-147.
van de Glind, I. M., Heinen, M. M., Evers, A. W., & van Achterberg, T. (2015). Goal setting and
lifestyle changes in a nurse-led counselling programme for leg ulcer patients: an
explorative analysis of nursing records. Journal of clinical nursing, 24(23-24), 3576-
3583.
vanDillen, S. M., Noordman, J., van Dulmen, S., & Hiddink, G. J. (2015). Setting goal and
implementation intentions in consultations between practice nurses and patients with
overweight or obesity in general practice. Public health nutrition, 18(16), 3051-3059.
Xanidis, N., & Gumley, A. (2019). Exploring the implementation of cognitive behaviour therapy
for psychosis using the Normalization Process Theory framework. Psychology and
Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice.