KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELORS OF GUIDANCE AND
COUNSELLING

COURSE CODE: EPC 1105

COURSE UNIT: BASIC SKILLS AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN
COUNSELLING
LECTURER: DOCTOR JANE NAMUKOSE
YEAR OF STUDY: ONE
SEMESTER: ONE
GROUP TWO
GROUP COURSE WORK
S/NO NAME [Link] SIGNATURE
1 NABAKOZA FATUMA 24/U/BGD/229/GV
2 JUWAN PATRICIA 24/U/BGD/05205/PD
3 NABIRYE AISHA 24/U/BGD/08282/PD

QUESTION;
Define the art of summarizing as a counseling skill and explain how and when it is used in
the counseling session.
Summarizing is a reflective listening technique that helps to clarify and synthesize the
information shared by the client (Ivey, 2013). It allows the counselor to discover key points
and themes, making the session more manageable and productive.
In group counselling, summarizing is an editorialized narrative technique that describes the
flow of the session, each member’s contribution, counselor’s contribution and any questions
that occur to the counselor after the session (Egan, 2014)
According to our own assumption, summarizing is the skill used by the counselor in the
counselling process to compile and analyze the key or important issues and themes that have
to be given more emphasis through the counselling sessions by reflecting to the clients
reviled information in the previous sessions to give the clients opportunity to recap and
correct the counselor at any parts they feel are not accurate.
This skill serves many purposes including enhancing the client’s self- understanding,
facilitating focus and validating their experiences.
It provides clients with a clear understanding of what they have communicated, reinforcing
important messages and promoting self- reflection (Egan, 2014).
The key terms to define under summarizing as a counselling skill are;
Reflective listening;
According to Ivey and Ivey (2013), reflective listening is a communication technique where
the
Self – understanding;
This is the process through which individuals gain insight into their thoughts feelings and
behavior (Egan2014).
Client-Centered Therapy;
According to Rogers (1951), this is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes understanding
and acceptance of the client’s perspective.
Empathy;
The ability to understand and share the feelings of the clients necessary for building a good
counseling relationship Corey, (2016)
The summarizing approach in counseling sessions enhances the therapeutic process and
promotes effective communication between the councilor and the client. Here is the
breakdown of how and when summarizing is employed in the counselling process.
How summarizing is used in counseling session
Condensing information
This is a process of reducing large amounts of data or content into its essential elements while
maintaining the original meaning. This technique is commonly used in communication,
education and therapy to enhance understanding. The counselor focuses on the main points or
themes, removing unnecessary details and the goal is to simplify complex or length
information a client’s gives. For example the client says that I don’t enough money, my child
was sent back home, my date of rent payment is soon and am distressed. The counselor sums
up all that to poverty which is causing distress to the client. Nelson- Jones,R.(2015).
Reflecting Key Themes
Summaries include facts and also the feelings and underlying themes expressed by the client.
This reflection validates the client’s experiences. It also gives the client to recognize patterns
in their thoughts, feelings and behaviors and this allows both the client and the counselor to
focus on what’s most important in the session. For example a client might talk about their
relationships and feelings of inadequacy. They could express these issues over multiple
sessions in various ways. The counselor condenses these scattered ideas and reflects back the
key themes. Egan,G.(2013).
Promoting focus
Summarizing helps the client and the counselor to focus on the important issues and also
refocusing on the session in case the discussions become scattered and this helps the client to
concentrate on the most important aspects of their experiences, thoughts or emotions. The
counselor looks through the complex and scattered information to identify the core issues that
need attention. By focus on the main concerns, the counselor helps the client stay engaged
with most pressing matters rather than becoming overwhelmed by secondary issues. For
example the client may say that ‘I have been struggling with my workload at the place of
work, my partner and I are fighting more and I don’t have time for myself anymore. It’s just
all too much’. The counselor may summarize to promote focus and says, it sounds like you
are feeling overwhelmed because you’re managing work stress, relationship conflict and not
getting personal time. Let’s start focusing on the areas that feel most difficult for you and the
counselor condenses all the client’s concern into three key areas(work, relationships and
personal time) and engages the client to focus on the most immediate issues, narrowing the
conversation to actionable steps . Egan,G.(2013).
Clarifying emotions for both the client and the counselor
It provides opportunity for the client to correct any misinterpretations, ensuring that the
counselor understands the client’s issues and problems properly and helps in reviewing the
work done so far, bringing the session to a close by drawing together the main threads of the
discussion beginning a subsequent session, if appropriate starting a process of focusing and
prioritizing scattered thoughts and feelings moving the counselling process forward. For
example. The client may say ‘I just feel like everything is falling apart. I am tired all the time
and I don’t know if am good enough for this job anymore. I have been snapping at my family
and I don’t know why’. The counselor clarifies the emotions and says that ‘it sounds like you
are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted and that’s leading you to frustration both at work and
home. You are feeling guilty about how you are reacting to your family members.’ Then the
client’s response will be yes, ‘I guess I didn’t realize how much it as
connected’.Egan,G.(2013).
Encouragement
This is an essential skill used in counseling and it involves providing supporting and
motivation to client. It helps create a positive environment where clients feel validated and
empowered. Encouragement can facilitate deeper self –exploration, reinforcement progress
and motivate clients to engage actively in their therapeutic journey. For example the client
may say ‘I felt so over overwhelmed at work last week; it just seemed like everything was
piling up’. The counselor summarizes with encouragement and says ‘it sounds like you faced
a lot of pressure at work which is completely understandable. It’s great that you are
recognizing how overwhelming it felt and let’s explore how to handle it’. Ivey,A.E., at el
(2019).
When is the art of summarizing used as a counseling skill?
The art of summarizing is an important counselling skill that is employed at various stages
throughout the therapeutic process to help both the client and the counselor stay focused,
clarify understanding and enhance the client’s self-awareness.
At the beginning of the session
Counselors may use summarizing at the start of the new session to review and recap what
was discussed in the previous meetings. This ensures continuity and reminds both the client
and the counselor of the client’s ongoing challenges and goals. For example the counselor
may say last time we discussed about your anxiety at work and the steps you have been
taking to manage it. Egan.G,.(2013).
During sessions.
According to Ivey,A.,E. at el (2016), while clients explore their issues, counselors can
summarize some parts of the conversation to highlight important themes or feelings which
encourage reflection hence ensuring that both the client and the counselor are on the same
age and helps focus the conversation on the core. For example the client may say that I have
been feeling anxious in a relationship, I am worried that I am not good enough for my partner
and at times I feel like giving up. But then I think that I love too much.
Then the counselor may summarize and say that it sounds like you are feeling a lot of anxiety
about whether you’re good enough for your partner and it’s creating tension in your
relationship. At the same time your love for them keeps you committed.
At the end of the sessions
According to Corey,G.(2016)), counselors often summarize the key points discussed during a
session at the end to reinforce learning. This helps the counselor and the client to recap or
recall what has been addressed. For example the counselor may tell the client that today we
have talked about challenges you’re facing in your relationship and we have also identified
some solutions like communication which can help to strengthen the relationship. For next
time let’s focus on how these solutions are working.
To transition between topics
According to Shulman,L.(2009) summarizing is important when changing from one topic to
another, helping to create a natural flow in the conversation while reinforcing what has been
established. For example the counselor tells the client that we have spent much time talking
about your stress at work and how it’s affecting your mood, is there anything you did like us
to discuss or we shift to talking about other issues?.
When clients are not focused
According to Hill,C. and O’Brien,K.M.(1999),they state that sometimes clients can feel
overwhelmed by their emotions or scattered in their thinking. And this helps to organize their
thoughts, offering clarity and helping the client refocus on the key issues.

What is the purpose of summarizing in counseling?

The purpose of summarizing in counseling is multifaceted, serving several important roles in
the therapeutic process. Here are the key purposes;
Summarizing helps to ensure that both the counselor and the client have a mutual
understanding of the discussion. By condensing the key points of the conversation, the
counselor can confirm that they have accurately captured the client’s thoughts and feelings.
It allows the counselor to identify and highlight significant themes or patterns in the client’s
narrative. This helps clients gain insight into their issues and recognize recurring behaviors or
feelings.
Summarizing can help structure the session by keeping the discussion focused on the key
issues. It assists in organizing thoughts especially when clients may feel overwhelmed or
scattered in their thinking.
By summarizing, counselors encourage clients to reflect on their thoughts and emotions. This
process can facilitate deeper self-awareness and insight into their experiences, promoting
personal growth.
Summarizing servers as a tool to track the client’s progress over time. By reviewing previous
sessions, counselors can remind clients of their achievements and areas of further exploration,
reinforcing a sense accomplishment and continuity.
It provides a natural transition between the different topics with in a session. It allows
counselors to close one area of discussion before moving on to another, maintaining the flow
of the conversation.
It helps to clarify what has been discussed and enables the identification of goals for future
sessions. It sets the stage for actionable steps and plans for the client’s development.
When counselors summarize, they validate the client’s experiences and feelings. This can
foster a sense of being heard and understood which is crucial for building trust in the
relationship.
Effective summarizing shows that the counselor is actively listening and engaged in the
client’s process. This can strengthen the therapeutic alliance and encourage further openness
and honesty.
In conclusion, the purpose of summarizing in counseling is to enhance understanding,
providing structure, encourage reflection, track progress, and validate the client’s
experiences. It’s a crucial skill that contributes to a productive and effective therapeutic
process, ultimately facilitating client growth and development.
Reference
Corey, G. (2016),”Theory and Practice of counselling and Psychotherapy.” 10th ed. Belmont,
CA :Cengage Learning.
Egan, G. (2013) “The Skilled Helper: A problem Management Approach to Helping.” 10th
ed. Belmont, CA; Brooks/ cole: Cengage Learning.
Hill, L. E. and O’Brien, K. (1999),” Helping Skills: Facilitating Exploration, Insight and
Action.”
Ivey ,A.E., Ivey,M,B., and Zalaquett,C.P.(2016). International Interviewing and Counseling:
Facilitating Client Development in a Multiple book.
Prochaska, J, O. and Norcross, J, C.(2019),”Changing for Good. A Revolutionary Six-Stage
Program for Overcoming Bad Habits and Moving Your Life Positively forward.”
Shulam,L.(2009). The skills of Helping Individuals, Families, Groups and Communities.
Rogers ,C. R. and Farson, R.E. (1987),”Active Listening.” Chicago: University of Chicago
Press.