BASICS OF
Counselling is not ...
It is not an advice
It is not a suggestion
It is not guidance
WHAT IS COUNSELLING?
Counselling is a process in which two people meet to
explore personal problems and to identify solutions.
Counselling is a process through which one person helps
another by purposeful conversation in an understanding
atmosphere.
Counselling seeks to establish a helping relationship in
which :-
the one counseled can express their thoughts and
feelings in such a way as to clarify their own situation,
come to terms with some new experience, see their
difficulty more objectively,
and so face their problem with less anxiety and tension.
Counselling takes place when a counselor sees a client
in a private and confidential setting
to explore a difficulty a client is having, distress that
the client may be experiencing or perhaps the client’s
dissatisfaction with life or loss of a sense of direction
and purpose.
British Association for Counseling
and Psychotherapy (2002)
STEPS IN COUNSELLING
STEP 1 Establishing a rapport and relationship
STEP 2 Assessing or defining of the present problem
STEP 3 Developing an action plan with goals
STEP 4 Choosing and setting of the interventions
STEP 5 Closing & follow-up.
BENEFITS OF COUNSELLING
The counseling process is like an educational
experience.
The client not only learns more about themselves, but
also acquires new skills.
Sometimes, counseling involves learning more about a
particular condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, eating
disorders) by which the client is affected, so that they
can better understand treatment options.
What does the client learn?
improved communication and interpersonal skills
greater self-acceptance and self-esteem
ability to change self-defeating behaviors/habits
better expression and management of emotions,
including anger
More benefits of counselling
increased confidence and decision-making
skills
ability to manage stress effectively
improved problem-solving and conflict
resolution abilities
relief from depression, anxiety or other mental
health conditions
PSYCHOEDUCATION
INTRODUCTION
Psychoeducation is an important component of
any psychotherapy program.
Psychoeducation, as the name suggests, is
education about a certain situation or condition
that causes psychological stress.
It includes cognitive, behavioural and
supportive therapeutic elements.
CONTD…
This is not necessarily psychotherapy as it does not
exclusively deal with psychological or mental
illness but rather any condition you or a relative or
a friend is experiencing.
For example: breast cancer is not a mental illness
however a person with breast cancer may feel
anxious, disheartened and scared about their
condition and therefore it is said that the cancer is
bringing about psychological stressors.
CONTD…
Frequently psychoeducational training involves
individuals with:
Schizophrenia
Clinical Depression
Anxiety Disorders
Psychotic Illnesses
Eating Disorders
Personality Disorders
Patient training for treatment of Physical Illnesses
IMPLEMENTED BY…
Psychoeducation is usually implemented by:
Psychologists
Anybody who is an expert in the specific condition the
individual is experiencing and who has experience in
Psychotherapies
Social workers
Occupational Therapists
Physicians
ELEMENTS OF
Briefing the patient about their illness
PSYCHOEDUCATION
(a) symptoms of the disorder,
(b) causes,
(c) impairments due to the disorder, and
(d) existing comorbidities
Problem Solving training
Communication training
Self-assertiveness training
BENEFITS
Alleviating potential fears about the
psychological condition
includes your client in their own treatment
pathway
increases self-awareness
increases self-efficacy
Provides coping tools to overcome obstacles
CONTD…
Aids in setting goals
Increases knowledge
Develops insight into experiences
Increased participation from the client in
recovery/treatment
CONTD…
Can reduce social stigma
Promote awareness
Prevent emergencies
Reduce Relapse
Enable fewer hospital days
Increase medication adherence
Increased satisfaction with mental health services and
improved quality of life.
Types of Psychoeducation
Group Discussion
Individual Psychoeducation
Family Psychoeducation
Social Psychoeducation
GROUP DISCUSSION
In a group situation experiences are shared with each others:
People feel that they have the support of the group as the feeling
that they are” not alone” which decreases the amount of stress
in the situation.
this way everyone gains a perspective of how other people deals
with their situations which adds to the overall learning
experience.
Majority of common questions will be dealt predominantly
through discussions.
Description of the Psychoeducational Group
Intervention
Example:
The intervention consisted of 12 weekly 90-minute sessions led by
two nurses. Each group consisted of 8–12 participants.
The program provided (1) health education about the illness:
symptoms, diet, physical exercise, sleep, pharmacological
treatment, and adherence to treatment; (2) breathing techniques; (3)
problem solving, behavioral activation, and a cognitive-behavioral
approach to depression; (4) self-esteem and self-image; and (5)
pleasant activities, social skills, and assertiveness
To enhance the active role of the patient, each session was
accompanied with homework for the patient.
INDIVIDUAL
PSYCHOEDUCATION
Individual psychoeducation can be more specific and
focused and can cover information and content that is
more relevant for an individual situation.
If group situation tend to make patient or family feel
anxious and threatened then individual psychotherapy
with the safety and confidentiality of a one on one
interaction with the therapist of the doctor may be more
suitable.
FAMILY PSYCHOEDUCATION
Education about a condition is relevant not only to the
individual with the problem, but also the people who
share their life. Therefore, psychoeducation programs
for the whole family are commonly used; this can
• reduce stress at home
• encourage better relationships between the
family members
Psychoeducation can be implemented for a number of
families at the same time.
BENEFITS OF FAMILY
PSYCHOEDUCATION
Family information & education
Enhance family coping skills
Improve communication & problem solving skills
Prevention of relapse
Concurrent use of psychopharmacology
CONTD…
Identifying trigger factors
Treatment
What to do in emergencies?
The financial, legal and social support that is
available for families, caretakers and school to aid
in caring and catering for the patient will also be
discussed.
SOCIAL PSYCHOEDUCATION
The influence of social stigma as well as social support
and the importance of recognising the social support
you have, this is called Social Psychoeducation.
When people feel they have the support of the
community they are more likely to manage the distress
associated with their condition more effectively.
CONTD…
For adolescents and children, peer pressure issues
may also be dealt with.
For example: it is very important that a diabetic
child understands why they cannot have as much
chocolate and lollies as their friends and also how
and when to say no if their friends offer them food.
CONLUSION
Evidence on psychoeducation programs in general
shows that it seems to be associated with the
reduction of symptoms linked to ADHD, Anxiety,
and Depression (regardless of the focus of
psychoeducation), in addition to:
greater adherence and satisfaction with the treatment
greater knowledge, improved self-esteem, coping
strategies and quality of life.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people
with a broad variety of mental illnesses and emotional
difficulties.
Psychotherapy can help eliminate or control troubling
symptoms so a person can function better and can increase
well-being and healing.
Problems helped by psychotherapy include difficulties in
coping with daily life; the impact of trauma, medical
illness or loss, like the death of a loved one; and specific
mental disorders, like depression or anxiety.
Therapy Sessions
Therapy may be conducted for:
An individual
Family
Couple
Group setting
Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few sessions), dealing with
immediate issues, or long-term (months or years), dealing with
longstanding and complex issues. The goals of treatment.
Can help both children and adults.
Both patient and therapist need to be actively involved in
psychotherapy. The trust and relationship between a person
and his/her therapist is essential to working together
effectively and benefiting from psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy has been shown to improve emotions and
behaviors and to be linked with positive changes in the brain
and body. The benefits also include fewer sick days, less
disability, fewer medical problems, and increased work
satisfaction.
Types of Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Dialectical behavior therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychoanalysis
Supportive therapy
What does a therapist do, and how can they help me?
Therapist act as a neutral party who can listen and try to
understand without judgment.
Therapists help you learn about yourself by pointing out
patterns and giving honest feedback.
Therapists teach specific techniques and strategies to deal
with problems.
Therapists can refer you to additional resources in the
community that might be helpful.
Therapists provide a safe place to learn and practice social
skills.
METHODS OF PROVIDING THERAPY
Psychoeducation can be provided using a variety of
delivery methods including:
Information sheets
Worksheets (therapy homework)
Online resources – blogs, YouTube, webinars, podcasts,
DVD/CD
Role playing and visualisation: where the client can use
their newly acquired knowledge in scenarios where
challenges and obstacles can be problem-solved.
Benefits of Psychotherapy
Increasing self esteem
Developing the ability to have more satisfying
relationships
Increasing confidence in personal abilities
Increasing understanding of self and others
Recognition and toleration of a wider range of emotions
Gradually becoming more able to face issues and
difficulties
Benefits that endure and increase with time
Psychoeducation Psychotherapy
Psychoeducation is typically education Is treatment of a mental health issue
provided to a person with a mental using psychological rather than
health issue and/or their family that medical means.
helps them deal with their condition in
a more optimal way.
An assessment may not necessarily be This means that there has been some
performed by the provider of the sort of assessment that helps define
psychoeducation. the problem
Sessions can focus on various topics On the basis of which treatment
that can be helpful to many different goals are established to help move
people with many different struggles. the client forward in the therapeutic
process.
Psychoeducation Psychotherapy
Psychoeducation often focuses The goals are specifically related
on education about: to the mental health issue that
mental health, has been identified.
coping skills,
empowerment,
or communication
Psychoeducation can be It can take place in an
extremely helpful and can also individual, family or group
be provided in an individual, format, depending on the need.
family or group format, but is
not specifically treatment.
It is often provided by a licensed • Psychotherapy can be provided
mental health professional, but by a psychologist, psychiatrist,
may also be provided by other social worker, counselor or other
experts as well. licensed mental health therapist.
THANK YOU!
&
STAY SAFE!
