There are two parts to this discussion. The first part is skill based to practice the basic counseling skills and the second part supports your practice of becoming a reflective practitioner using self-awareness and self-evaluation.

Part 1: Practice Counseling Skills 
Give some example prompts of comments you might say to a client if you were to demonstrate each of these skills as part of a session.

If you need help remembering what the skill looks or sounds like, go back to your text and re-read the section about the skill.

• What would a minimal encourager sound like? See Chapter 4. What would an opening/invitational skill sound like? See Chapter 4.
• What does the reflecting skill of paraphrasing sound like? See Chapter 5.

Part 2: Personal Insights 
How do you create a warm and welcoming connection with people in your life now? For example, at work, with family or friends, your children, and so on.
What did you notice about these skills that might be comfortable or uncomfortable for you when you are working with a client?

ANSWER

Part 1: Practice Counseling Skills

1. Minimal Encourager:
A minimal encourager is a brief response that encourages the client to continue speaking without interrupting their flow of thoughts. Examples of minimal encouragers include:
“I see.”
“Go on.”
“Tell me more.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I understand.”

 Opening/Invitational Skill

An opening or invitational skill is used to invite the client to share more about their feelings or experiences. It helps create a safe and open space for the client to explore their thoughts. Examples of opening/invitational skills include:
“I’m here to listen. How are you feeling today?”
“Tell me what’s been on your mind lately.”
“Would you like to talk about anything specific in this session?”
“You can start wherever you feel comfortable.”

Reflecting Skill – Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is a reflective skill that involves restating the client’s words in a summarized form to show understanding and active listening. Examples of paraphrasing include:
Client: “I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed at work, and it’s affecting my personal life too.”
Counselor: “So you’re experiencing a lot of stress both at work and in your personal life.”

Client: “I feel like I can’t handle all the responsibilities on my own.”
Counselor: “You’re feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities you have.”

Part 2: Personal Insights

Creating a warm and welcoming connection with people in my life involves several aspects:
Active listening: I give my full attention when someone is speaking to show that I am interested in what they have to say.
Empathy: I try to put myself in the other person’s shoes and understand their feelings and perspectives.
Open body language: I maintain open and relaxed body language to convey approachability and openness.
Validation: I validate the other person’s emotions and experiences to let them know their feelings are acknowledged and respected.

When working with a client, some aspects of these counseling skills might feel more comfortable, such as active listening and validation, as they align with my natural communication style. However, I may find paraphrasing slightly uncomfortable initially, as it requires practicing to summarize the client’s words accurately without sounding robotic or repetitive. To overcome this discomfort, I will focus on honing my paraphrasing skills during practice sessions and seeking feedback from supervisors or peers to improve my technique. Developing a sense of comfort with each skill is crucial in building a trusting and therapeutic rapport with clients, allowing them to feel heard, understood, and supported throughout the counseling process. As a reflective practitioner, I will continuously assess my interactions with clients, identify areas for growth, and work on enhancing my counseling skills to provide the best possible support and guidance to those seeking help.