Written reflection
Effectiveness of each counselling skill demonstrated during session.
During the session I tried to actively listen to the client and validate her emotions by
empathizing with her. She needed someone to hear her out, to understand her
insecurities and not judge her for the same. Giving her complete attention made her
feel heard which is why she could open up in a bit more.
I tried to validate her emotions by creating an empathetic environment. Having this
feeling of acceptance made her more comfortable. I provided her with unconditional
positive regard. Even when she mentioned about holding onto her grief, I empathized
with her and helped her look at the positive aspects of it. Despite her urge to keep on
holding the grief I provided her with unconditional positive regard.
I used the skill of paraphrasing to reflect her thoughts. Reframing her statements and
asking for her approval is what I did. This also helped her open up more and elaborate
her emotions.
At the end of the session, I summarized her key emotions which are causing her
distress. This helped us highlight the distressing emotions so that we can work on
them in the future sessions. It also helped to check if the I and the client are on the
same page.
I asked her questions about her feelings and emotions which were necessary to
understand her emotions in a better way. These questions also assured her that she is
being heard and the other person is keen on helping her for her betterment. The
questions also gave a better understanding of her emotions and thoughts.
While informing about her problems she mentioned that she doesn’t enjoy being in
the present moment completely and that she finds it absurd. Here I normalized her
feelings by ensuring her what she is feeling is not ‘absurd’. This helped her to come
out of that thought that it is absurd to feel that way. I also used the skill of reframing
her statements, this gave her a different perspective to look at the situation.
She feels comfortable with the grief, or carrying the weight of her emotions, this is
something that is not good for a long run, in a way she has some self- destructive
thoughts which were challenged in the session.
By the end of the session, I summarized and put forward the key elements that she can
work on to improve her well-being and help her deal with the framework of her
thoughts.
These skills were utilized in the session conducted which helped the client feel
comfortable, heard, and accepted which is why she could open up and trust the
process. She got the validation for her feelings which she thought were absurd in
some way, during the session her emotions were normalized and I tried to at least
accept her emotions the way they are, so in future we can work on helping her
manage her emotions.
Area of strength and improvement.
The one skill that I implemented in a better manner is of active listening and the one
that could be my strength is of empathy. Empathizing with the client gave her the
feeling of acceptance which made her comfortable so she could explain her emotions
and situation in a better manner.
One thing that I need to improve is to give the client his/her space. To let them be
while they become vulnerable. I need to step back and let them have their moment, by
ensuring them I am there for them. For instance, if they are crying, I need to give
him/her the time that is required.
Improvement for future session.
In the future session if any such moment occurs where the client becomes vulnerable
or emotional and starts crying, I will let her have her moment, by providing her the
space to vent out her emotions. Not only with her but with every client I will practice
this.
I will try to listen to them more keenly and draw notes simultaneously, by providing
them with my absolute attention.
Emotional impact on self.
This session made me realize the importance of every emotion and I realized that
indeed grief is one of the strong emotions and we sometimes we don’t process it
completely which is why it accumulates in some or other form life, anxiety or
insecurity.
I am planning to manage my emotions by accepting them truly and then thinking to
deal with them later. Processing of every emotion happens in a different way and
during this session I realized I need to accept every emotion as it is.