Hi, guys! I’ve been recently engaged in a basic psychological counselling class and I found that using a counselling approach to chat with others could be really useful especially coming to being in a supporting role. I’m glad to share about that a little bit in this forum.
A counseling approach focuses on supporting others through empathetic communication. This method is rooted in psychological practice and encourages us to engage meaningfully with those around us. However, one thing needed to be clear that counselling approach doesn’t really equal to couselling.
Key Principles of Conversational Counseling
Active Listening: Show attentiveness by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and paraphrasing what the speaker says. This lets them know you are fully engaged.
Empathy: Express understanding by acknowledging the speaker’s feelings. Simple phrases like, “That sounds really challenging,” can validate their experiences.
Open-Ended Questions: Encourage deeper discussion by asking questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” For instance, “How did that make you feel?” invites more reflective responses.
Non-Judgmental Attitude: Create a safe environment by suspending judgment and accepting what the speaker shares without criticism.
Detailed introduction could be found in the link below:
Practical Techniques for Effective Conversations
Reflective Responses: Mirror the speaker’s feelings to show understanding. For example, if someone expresses sadness, you might say, “It sounds like you’re feeling really down about this.”
Clarification: If something is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for more information. This ensures you’re on the same page.
Silence: Embrace pauses. Silence can give the speaker time to process their thoughts and feelings.
This method not only fosters deeper connections but also creates a safe space for open dialogue. Hope you like these tips.!
This sounds super interesting! I’ve always thought that empathy and active listening were important, but I didn’t realise how intentional the techniques in conversational counseling are. I especially like the idea of using reflective responses to show understanding. Do you think these techniques could be helpful in more casual conversations, like with friends, or are they more suited for formal counseling settings?
This is really interesting! I love the idea of using a counseling approach in everyday conversations. Active listening and empathy can make such a difference! Do you have any tips for practicing these skills in casual chats?
These are some really good tips especially for those now starting freshers but it can also be applied to the employment setting. Making yourself approachable is key to success in the workplace and I think it is always important to make that extra effort even if you’re not 100% in yourself
That sounds really insightful! I can see how those counseling techniques could be useful in everyday conversations, especially when you’re trying to offer support or just listen more effectively. I’m curious, have you found a particular technique from the class that’s been especially helpful or challenging to apply in real-life situations?
This is a really good questions since I actually discussed about this question with others for quite a long time. During our discussion, we finally reach a consensus that these skills can actually be used in almost every circumstances. To answer your question, it can be used widely in both casual talks and formal counseling settings.
Yes, I do have one tip! If you’d like to practice these skills in casual chats, do not act that you are doing it in purpose, just relax and enjoy the flow of the conversations between you and the others! Hope you like it
Exactly! Using these skills can be seen as having the soft skill of communication as well! Let’s be prepared for all the chances leading to the future!
I would say definitely ‘paraphrasing’. I just recently realized paraphrasing in casual chats is never a simple process, it actually needs a lot of concentration, effort and empathy. I’m still working on my paraphrasing skill lol
A counseling approach focuses on supporting others through empathetic communication. This method is rooted in psychological practice and encourages us to engage meaningfully with those around us. However, one thing needed to be clear that counselling approach doesn’t really equal to couselling.
Key Principles of Conversational Counseling