Before taking this course, I focused on effective counseling skills and did not consider the contribution of the physical environment to the counseling outcomes. As I observe the client and changing my communication techniques to connect with them, the client is also taking note of the environment and this determines whether they feel comfortable and safe. The office space is equally important in establishing a strong counseling relationship.
A constructive relationship between a counselor and client increases the probability of the client to achieve their goal and improve the quality of their relationships outside the clinical setting (Zunker, 2015). Hospitals, youth centers and private practices are examples of different types of spaces, and they range from being ugly and depressing to friendly and comfortable. For me to create a therapeutic environment, I will ‘attend to space’ and establish an environment that nourishes me and gets me ready to work, and one that is welcoming to my clients. The first would be to take care of the physical environment to ensure there is enough lighting, the seats are comfortable and arranged in a way that encourages dialogue. I will create ample space between the client and I, to avoid violating their personal space.
Limited space can result to ongoing work in the view of the client, in such a case, I will ensure reasonable tidiness and files with clients’ information are not strewn about. Clients are very observant and if they notice other people’s files kept unsafely, they might lose confidence in the therapist (Zunker, 2015). Although it is best to work in a soundproof room, this might not be possible at all times, and the client has to deal with noise from the hallway, neighboring offices of the traffic. I will try different strategies to muff the noise, such as the use of hanging tapestries or soothing music depending on the client’s preference. I find to helpful to walk into a room with fresh air and to enhance this, I will cleanse the space in between clients to get rid of stale are and residual energy. Cleansing can be done by opening the windows to let in fresh or using mild air fresheners. Other than the physical environment, I will ensure that my conversation with the client demonstrate empathy and respect.
Strength-Based Therapy
A strength-based approach focuses on the internal strengths and resourcefulness of a client and less on their shortcomings (Jones-Smith, 2014). The strategy sets up a positive mindset for the client enabling him to have confidence in his abilities. Each mindset influences thinking and behavior hence the need to use a strength-based approach the emphasized on positive thinking patterns. Through this approach, I can connect with the individual’s need to change and succeed. The client will have confidence in the future since he/she starts a journey with what they already know; the capabilities and strengths. The approach enables the counselor to initiate capacity building as a process and a goal, and the client gets to experience a lifelong journey that is dynamic. By focusing on the strengths, the client gets the motivation to work on their shortcomings as this approach does not ignore the challenges.
A strength-based approach enables the counselor and the nurse to work in collaboration by helping the clients take the initiative. In the process, both become co-producers of support instead of the counselor becoming the only source of support and the client only a consumer of the support (McLeod & McLeod, 2014). The approach not only improves the relationship with between the counselor and the client but also enhances the social networks of the client as they become more confident. As a counselor, I can work with an individual and create a personalized treatment plan instead of a one-fits-all method. Compared to other therapeutic approaches, the strength-based improves the treatment retention rate since the client can operate from the point of strength rather than a deficit. The approach enables the client to rely on productive coping strategies that foster growth and view obstacles as challenges to confront rather than avoid.
In every counseling session, it is vital to make the physical environment comfortable for the client by ensuring there is quality lighting, enough personal space between the two parties and the room has a welcoming atmosphere. During the sessions, connect with the client by focusing on their strengths, which in turn helps them to overcome their weaknesses. By focusing on their capabilities, the counselor enables the client to approach the problem from a point of strength rather than defeat.
