Opening Skills
The intent is to build rapport at the beginning of session
What is a greeting
This eliminates confusion of terms by seeking clearer understanding of client's words
What are clarifications
The intent is to stipulate directions for counseling
What are definition of goals
The intent of this is the keep the session in the here and now
What is immediacy
This closes the session by tying together themes involving subject matter and emotions
What is summarization of content/feeling
What is role definition/expectation
The intent is to encourage the client to continue
What is empathy/rapport
This uses needed microskills to discover the nature of the concern
What is exploration/understanding the concern
Presenting a new frame of reference on the client’s concern possibly through different theoretical orientations; “It may be that the death of your mother forces you to be alone with yourself and your own fears."
What are interpretations
The intent of this definition is to remind clients of previously discussed ideas
What is review of plan
The intent is to clarify procedures
What are administrative tasks
This allows for purposeful, quiet reflection during the interview
What is focusing
Any counseling intervention used to assist the client in deeper understanding of the concern, such as imagery or an Empty Chair
What are special techniques
The intent of this is for clients to become aware of thoughts and actions
What is confrontation
This asks the client to reflect on the essentials of each interview; "What will you take from today's session that will assist you between now and our next meeting?"
What is evaluation of session
An open-ended question demonstrating to the client the interview is starting, such as “What do you want to work on today?”
What is beginning
This includes consistent and intentional selection of topic, construct, and/or direction of session
What is focusing
The intent is to put ideas into actions
What is implement alternative
This is an influencing statement specifying an action or thought for the client to take; “The next time you visit your mother’s grave, I suggest you write a poem expressing your fears and loneliness."
What are directives
This offers appropriate generalization from counseling to client's outside world when goals have been achieved
What is termination of session