Values and Orientation to Counselling Paper

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1 Values and Orientation to Counselling Paper Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course Number, Name Instructor’s Name Assignment Due Date

2 Values and Orientation to Counselling Paper Psychological approaches that assimilate Christian values and orientation are more effective in realizing the process goals and outcomes of counseling. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) expects mental health issues to increase, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic (Tarlton, 2020). Writing for the (UNDP), Tarlton (2020) explained that the social call to ‘stay at home’ is traumatizing to most individuals and might lead to a significant increase in mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. As such, if unchecked, this condition will lead to a surge in demand for counselors. Practicing counselors should, therefore, be ready to guide patients back to their normal mental health status. In support of the significance of Christian values and orientation to counseling, Correa (2020) posted an article in “ The Christian Science Monitor ” that told the story of a lady who was saved by Christianity from her abusive and violent family. Years later, she was able to overcome her negative childhood memories, helped her siblings, and even won her mother’s soul to Christ (Correa, 2020). The above examples display the importance of effective counseling in a community. As such, the following discussion outlines the qualities of an effective counselor concerning the essential attributes of effective counseling. Christian faith has also effectively been integrated with theoretical orientations to create sound counseling methods that have a positive impact on society. Essential Qualities of an Effective Counsellor Proverbs 14:11 (The New King James Version) states that people fail where there are no counselors, but in the abundance of counselors, people prosper. But to effectively counsel the community, a counselor must first have compassion and align the counseling process to the Person-Centered Therapy approach (Fulton, 2018). It is prudent for counselors to focus on the patients as they have the privilege of encountering the ‘true selves’ of individuals. Counselors should, therefore, have compassion for their patients’ plight and experience their

3 troubles as one with them. By so doing, counselors will win the trust of their patients. Humanistic Therapy also adequately addresses this concern. Through compassion, therapeutic interventions eventually lead to effective counseling. The other attribute is that a competent counselor is humble. The people who practice counseling should have humility because those who come to seek help do so from a vulnerable position. It should never arise that counselors become egocentric and have pride in their work. Furthermore, the Bible states that God’s people should clothe themselves with humility, gentleness, kindness, compassion, and patience, for it is the Lord who cares for people and directs people’s steps and experiences (1 Peter 5: 6 – 7; Colossians 3:12, The New King James Version). Counselors, and all Christians alike, are encouraged by the Bible to humble themselves before the Lord, and he will lift them (1 Peter 5:5, The New King James Version). Burling (2017) also stated that Jesus taught people to be empty themselves of their righteousness and attribute themselves as one with sinners; those who come to seek help need a listening ear, and it is from humility that counselors will know the most pressing need. OER Africa, an organization that publishes information concerning caregivers, nurses, and midwives, reported that a good counselor should as well be knowledgeable (Oerafrica.org, 2020). A knowledgeable counselor earns the confidence and trust of clients. In retrospect, the trust and confidence given to the counseling professional should be reverted by the counselor to the patients. The counselor should hold the information given during the session in high regard and confidentiality. This practice ensures mutual participation in the counseling process and effectively achieves the objective of counseling. Tenets of Effectual/Helpful Counselling Helpful counseling has goals and stated the outcome of the counseling process (Chui et al., 2019). Meier and Davis (2019) also indicated that outcome goals are the expected

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4 mental results by the end of the counseling process. As such, effectual counseling necessitates that counselors have both personal and cognitive characteristics that proliferate the purpose of counseling. However, though personal characteristics tell about the approachability of the counselors and their utility of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach, the cognitive abilities of the professional determine the client retention rate and patient satisfaction levels. Clients need to feel that the counselor is empathetic to their plight. Still, more importantly, they want to know that the professional will help them alleviate their mental stress and tribulations. Field exposure is the other tenet of helpful counseling ( Sutton et al., 2016). Counselors with a broad experience in the counseling profession have more to offer than start-up professionals. Common sense has it that the more issues one solves, the more skillful the individual becomes, and helpful counseling vests significance on the professional’s experience. However, this notion does not dispel the credibility of young counselors. The statement only acknowledges that there is a certain level of expertise through work experience. Quality academic learning is another element of effectual and helpful counseling. Counselors should always be curious to understand the human brain and how to deal with trauma and other stressful mental issues. Neeman (2017) said that an adequate academic background helps the counselor to know the underlying theoretical concepts and social aspects that can be used to treat mental distress. This aspect is related to motivational interviews and the solution-focused counseling approach adhered to by most counselors. Active listening and attending behavior are other aspects of effectual counseling. The counselor should display excellent communication skills by listening effectively and professionally, asking questions. For better results, the counselor should be a neutral party

5 and always remain non-judgmental. The goal of counseling is to redeem the clients, and counselors should not make them guilty of opening their vulnerable mental states and life matters. Integrating Christian Faith with Sound Counselling Methods Counseling is all about redemption and being at peace with one’s experiences and choices in life. As Christians learn, forgiveness is the pillar through which individuals seek peace in times of distress and mental trauma as a result of anger. After arguments, confrontations, and conflicts with other people, as well as after passing through great calamity, people feel angry. The anger can be directed inwards or outwards to other people or items and things. During counseling, patients need to release the anger and redress the experience through first desiring to forgive and live life without resentment. Such value and related teachings should be emphasized in the counseling profession to create an environment where there is no segregation of practitioners to Christian and Secular counselors. However, Maier (2017) stated that ‘most Christian counselors use forgiveness therapy in their sessions’ as a guide to seek solace in addressing anger. This statement cannot be said with certainty about secular counselors (Maier, 2017). Counseling should not be divided along religious lines, but through the various schools of thought that individual counselors trust will give the best results to their patients. Impact of the Mental Health Program Sutton et al. (2016) stated that clients only express willingness to self-explore and change their behavior when they have the belief that the counselor truly understands their mental tribulations and genuinely wants to help them. Going through the mental health program has opened up this new realization. Before joining the program, much faith was

6 bestowed on the abilities of the counselor. However, through the program, it has become apparent that patient willingness to participate in the process is key to healing. The Bible has various examples of reputable leaders and rulers who, at one time, succumbed to mental illness. Psalms 38 (The New King James Version) exposed King David’s anguish. The great ruler was lamenting upon his inequities and repented his sins as well as sought the Lord’s help at that trying, sorrowful time. Jonah also displayed mental stress when he wished death upon himself than to execute God’s directive (Jonah 4: 3-11, The New King James Version). These and various other examples in the Bible inform on the importance of incorporating God’s word in counseling and therapeutic efforts in mental health diagnosis. In developing and changing beliefs and perceptions about counseling, the mental health program has informed that leadership and governance are complementary activities to an effective counseling program ( Partridge & Dykeman, 2019). Also, mental health is integrated into social care activities and services in the community. This program has shown more light to the interconnection between despair, depression, and anger, and how these mental health issues spiral to significant psychological problems that need the intervention of psychologists. Application of Knowledge and Skills Values learned in this activity significantly impacts individual and professional behavior. At all levels of human interaction, the author believes that sound counseling practices have an impact on changing human understanding about many matters. To start with, integrating Christian Faith to counseling will bring about a new twist of therapy at the workplace. Christian teachings will henceforth be utilized to counsel colleagues and help them come to terms with their problems. Maddox (2019) stated that sometimes what human

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7 experience in the physical realm is a result of spiritual warfare. In line with this understanding, it is prudent to seek remedy to patients alongside Christian values and individuals’ beliefs and perceptions. The family, too, will be at a vantage position as it will reap the benefits of personal involvement to the mental health program as well as the teaching ingrained from Christian values and orientation to counseling. Notably, there will be more cohesion and understanding in the family. With the lessons learned through this experience, there will be an all-round understanding of familial and societal problems that affect the mental health of family members. Moreover, I believe the community benefits from the resultant activities at work and at home. By implementing the knowledge and skills learned in psychology, the community stands to get a more knowledgeable and informed counselor. From there, I will relate God’s hand in people’s suffering and encourage the society to trust in the faith that the Lord knows what they are going through and will intervene when the time is right (1 John 1:9, The New King James Version). Such proclamation and professional conduct in line with the Christian values and orientation stands to benefit the whole of humanity in alleviating mental stress and general counseling issues. Summary and Conclusion This paper has explored the critical qualities of an effectual counselor, as well as the elements of helpful counseling. The article has detailed that compassion, empathy, effective listening, and confidentiality impact the outcome of counseling. Moreover, through the application of theoretical orientations and experiences through the mental health program, the knowledge gained herein will be of significant impact to the counseling profession and society. The community will get better mental health care and diagnosis that is aligned to Christian values and suitable for effective counseling to realize the goals and outcomes of the counseling process. This paper has evaluated the values and orientations to counseling that

8 counselors can effectively utilize in their profession. Of crucial importance was the importance of effective counseling in a community, the qualities of an effective counselor, as well as the tenets of effective counseling. Christian faith was also effectively integrated with theoretical psychological orientations to create sound counseling methods that positively impact society.

9 References Burling, D. (2017, October 25). 5 reasons counselors need to cultivate humility . biblical counseling coalition. https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2017/10/25/5- reasons-counselors-need-to-cultivate-humility/ Chui, H., Palma, B., Jackson, J. L., & Hill, C. E. (2020). Therapist–client agreement on helpful and wished-for experiences in psychotherapy: Associations with outcome. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 67 (3), 349– 360. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000393 Correa, L. (2020, April 21). Christian Science rescued me . The Christian Science Monitor. https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/A-Christian-Science-Perspective/ 2020/0421/Christian-Science-rescued-me Fulton, C. L. (2018). Self ‐ compassion as a mediator of mindfulness and compassion for others. Counseling and Values , 63 (1), 45-56. https://doi.org/10.1002/cvj.12072 Maier, B. (2017). Forgiveness and justice: A Christian approach . Kregel Academic. Meier, S. T., & Davis, S. R. (2019). The elements of counseling . Waveland Press. Neenan, M. (2017). Developing resilience: A cognitive-behavioural approach . Taylor & Francis. OERA Africa (2020). Unit 3: Characteristics of effective counseling . Oerafrica.org. https://www.oerafrica.org/FTPFolder/Website%20Materials/Health/KCN-Health- OER/Unit3/002.html . Partridge, R., & Dykeman, C. (2019). Client feedback and outcome in couples counselling [Pdf file] https://psyarxiv.com/3utvb/

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10 Sutton, G. W., Arnzen, C., & Kelly, H. L. (2016). Christian counseling and psychotherapy: Components of clinician spirituality that predict type of Christian intervention. Journal of Psychology and Christianity , 35 (3), 204-214. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Geoffrey_Sutton2/publication/307907887 Tarlton, D. (2020, May 22). Addressing mental health during COVID-19 . UNDP. https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2020/addressing-mental- health-during-covid-19.html

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