Common Myths
True or False: Only people with serious mental illnesses need counseling.
False: Anyone can benefit from counselling.
When someone is feeling sad about a loss, we would offer this type of counselling.
Grief Counselling
Your client is upset about a bad grade. What’s one thing you could do to show you’re listening to them?
Make eye contact, nod, repeat what they say, or say “I hear you”
What longhouse value are we demonstrating when we value our client's perspectives/feelings, even when we disagree?
Respect
True or False: A counselor’s main job is to tell people exactly what to do to fix their problems.
False: Counselors help people explore their own solutions, not give direct advice.
What type of counselling would be offer someone who has experienced trauma that is now affecting their well-being?
Trauma Counselling
Case study:
There is a client that you have a good rapport with, who attends their session after having a bad day. From previous experience with this client, you know that they appreciate a good joke.
After assessing the situation, you have deemed it appropriate to share a joke with the client.
What counselling skill did you use in session?
Humour/comedy
When we thank clients for sharing, even if it’s hard to hear, we are demonstration which Long House Value?
Gratitude
Some people think counselors only listen and never talk. What’s something counselors actually do besides listening?
Ask questions, offer support, reflect feelings, or guide discussions
What kind of counselling do we offer clients who are considering suicide?
Crisis counselling/ Crisis intervention
Your client keeps talking about a problem but doesn’t know what to do. What’s a skill counselors could use to help someone explore their own solutions?
Asking open-ended questions, reflecting their feelings, or encouraging them to think it through. For example: “What do you think you could try?” or "What has worked in a similar scenario in the past?"
Embracing, understanding, and/or celebrating a client's authenticity and culture, is demonstrating which Long House Value?
Diversity
Respect
Some people worry counselors judge them for their problems. Instead, what’s a key skill counselors use to make clients feel safe and understood?
Listening, empathy, or being present
What kind of counselling do we offer someone who has problematic anger?
Anger Management Counselling/Anger Counselling
This skill involves understanding how someone feels
We are not persuading a client to think a certain way but we are meeting them where they are at. What Long house value does this demonstrate?
Understanding
True/False/It depends: Counsellors must force themselves to work with a client that they do not have a good rapport with.
It depends:
- Employer may force counsellors to work with clients regardless of therapeutic relationship
- Society may pressure counsellors to work with clients when there is a poor therapeutic relationship
- That doesn't make it right. In theory, it isn't ethical to work with a client that we don't have a good rapport with.
Case Study:
A client has low self-esteem and struggles with advocating for themselves. They don't believe that they have any skills or strengths.
To help this client, you have the client engage in exercises that highlights their strengths. You notice that the client responds positively to these exercises and they have stated that they feel empowered by the end of session.
What type of counselling was used in this session?
Strength-based counselling
This skill involves not judging someone.
Unconditional Positive Regard
If you apologize after accidentally interrupting or offending a client, what Long House value are you demonstrating?
accountability