The interaction between a counsellor and client and the way in which the counsellor reacts, responds and builds a relationship with their client is termed “therapeutic alliance”. Greenson (1967) describes therapeutic alliance as a “rational relationship between patient and analyst” (p. 46), and argues that this positive collaboration between therapist and patient is crucial for effective treatment. Further to this concept, Bordin (1979) outlines three major components: “(a) agreement on goals for treatment, (b) agreement on tasks to achieve those goals, and (c) the emotional bond of trust and attachment that develops between therapist and patient” (Bordin 1979 as cited from Diener & Argosy 2011, p. 238). There are various approaches to therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy, and Person Centred Therapy, to name a few. This essay concentrates on Carl Rogers’ person centred approach suggesting that therapeutic conditions such as congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy are key to successful personal counselling and growth.
Through this identification, the reader will attain a greater understanding of the requirements needed for competent mental health counseling. Role of Researcher Mental health counselors aside from specializations must be informed about the people whom they work for. Understanding the characteristics of their clientele, counselors seek to understand interests, attitudes, personalities and intelligent quotients (Sherpis, et.al., 2010). One method used to attain reliable and accurate data can be demonstrated through research within these areas. Variables within data both quantitative and qualitative must be approached from an unbiased perspective aimed at seeking relevancy to these clients.
In the event a therapist is faced with an ethical dilemma he or she may follow the steps of the ethical decision making process. The ethical decision making process provides guidance to therapists assisting each therapist to respond to ethical dilemmas. As Pope and Vasquez state, the steps may help therapists to identify important aspects of a situation, consider positive and negative consequences of the ways in which therapists may respond, and discover better approaches. Therapists’ decisions and actions have an effect on the welfare, dignity, and independence of the client. One of the most common dual relationships in therapist psychology refers to an intimate relationship between therapist and client.
The Right of Informed Consent is both an ethical and a legal requirement and one which must be woven into our therapeutic process from the beginning. Informed Consent helps us to form a therapeutic alliance with our client by being honest and intentionally advocating for them and with them. This allows us to communicate respectfully and honestly about the process and purpose of the therapy.
During this time, we will set short-term, long-term goals, and process goal to give us the direction of counseling and the purpose. There must be ongoing, meaningful evaluation of its useful purposes. Progress of my clients should be measurable and definable. During my interactions with clients, I must understand their feelings, behavior, and motivations so that I can help clients to identify any negative cognitive and behavioral patterns. As I fulfill my mission as a counselor, the therapeutic process must be given the time to work if the client is to achieve their personal goals and gain the necessary insight into their lives.
(Urofsky, Dennis, 2003). The importance of philosophical concepts to mental health counselors is that they serve as a framework to the code of ethics that govern the conduct of a counselor. Regardless of a counselor’s specialty, they are not only governed federal and state laws but also a code of ethics which outlines the standards of excellence in practice. According to Herlihy and Corey, the American Counseling Association (ACA) is “an educational, scientific, and professional organization whose members work in a variety of settings and serve in multiple capacities and are dedicated to the enhancement of human development throughout the life span” (Herlihy & Corey p. 27, 2006). The American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA) is a professional counseling association which also represents mental health counselors and this organization is also governed by a code of ethics which members are expected to follow in education, training, and practice.
This information will aid the hypnotherapist in building a rapport with the patient; also allow a connection trust to be formed. Of course the information acquired on the patient is the key to the initial assessment and to establish if the therapist is necessary but inevitably it comes down to the therapist and their manner. The reason why an ethical therapist would offer a free initial consultation is because it would show the commitment to the client through devoting their time to them, to talk, get to know them and make them feel comfortable. A hypnotherapist can find out why the client has come to see them, what their problems are and whether or not hypnotherapy is right for them, and whether they have had hypnotherapy before if not then the therapist can explain to the client what hypnotherapy is and how it can help them, they also will need to find out whether they are on medication or not, and to see if they will need their gp’s permission before giving hypnotherapy. The first consultation can be free and last up to 30 minutes.
Evaluation of the legal issues that are associated with assessments, testing, and diagnosis in professional psychology will be discussed. An explanation of the importance of maintaining confidentiality in the therapeutic relationship, and an evaluation the influence of legislation on professional psychology will be expounded upon, and finally an explanation of the role of competence in professional psychology will be discussed. Legal Issues and Informed Consent Informed consent is an essential part of the treatment process in psychology. Legally it protects both the psychologist and the individual who will be receiving professional services. According to Pope and Vasquez (2007), informed consent provides the client and the therapist the opportunity to understand his or her legal rights and each have an equal vested interest in the treatment process.
What are the Implications if informed consent and confidentiality are not followed? Discuss processes to Ensure that clients understand these policies. Trust is the most importance to build a therapeutic relationship between client and professional. I want my clients to be able to confide in me so that I may be able to give the best treatment required for my client. In order to maintain that trust, you must understand confidentiality and what it means in our treatment.
Professional boundaries are intended to set limits and clearly define a safe, therapeutic connection between human service professionals and their clients. For example, in a client /therapeutic professional relationship the professional has the power, as they are the once who possess the knowledge the