Counseling
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Relational Counseling
The primary goal of Relational Counseling is to guide those seeking help to better understand how they operate in relation to themselves and others and how their relating patters can have an impact on their mental and emotional well-being.
Stress and emotional upheaval are often the result of past relational experiences, and these concerns may inhibit the present self from full expression
- Breaking up with boyfriend or girlfriend
- Separations or Divorce
- Unable to forgive someone
- Feeling insecure, sad, frustrated, angry
- Trying to recover from a traumatic event
- Difficult relationships
- Fears & Phobias
- Shyness
What You Will Gain
Awareness of Issue
Clarity on what the problem is
Explore
Inner guided search
Confront Limiting & Conflicting Beliefs
Reframe Past Experiences so they serve us
Achieve the Desired Outcome
Usually within 10 sessions
Counseling
Carl Rogers*
Relational counseling is a form of support that focuses on interpersonal relationships and aims to improve people’s quality of life. The method is based on the belief that relationships are a fundamental part of human life and that a good relationship can lead to an increase in happiness and well-being.
The origin of relational counseling dates back to the humanistic psychology of the 1960s. This psychological approach emphasized the importance of the individual and sought to create a therapeutic environment in which people felt understood, heard, and respected. In particular, relational counseling is based on the theories of Carl Rogers, one of the founders of humanistic psychology, who developed the person-centered approach. Rogers believed that counseling was a collaborative process in which the counselor and the client work together to find solutions to problems.
The benefits of relational counseling are numerous. Firstly, it helps people improve their relationships, both personally and professionally, by enhancing communication and mutual understanding. Secondly, relational counseling can help people better understand themselves and acquire greater self-awareness, increasing self-esteem and self-confidence. Finally, the method can help reduce stress and anxiety, improving people’s overall well-being.
There are many examples of how relational counseling can help people in everyday life. For example, a person may have difficulty managing a romantic relationship, and relational counseling can help them better understand their emotional needs and communicate them more effectively to their partner. Similarly, a person may have difficulty managing conflict with a colleague in the workplace, and relational counseling can help them acquire the necessary skills to handle these situations more effectively.
In summary, relational counseling is an effective method for improving relationships, increasing self-awareness, and improving people’s overall well-being. If you are facing difficulties in your relational or emotional life, consider trying relational counseling and discover how it can help you live a more satisfying and fulfilling life.
* Carl Rogers was an American psychologist and psychotherapist who is best known for developing the humanistic approach to psychology. He believed that individuals have the capacity for self-awareness and the ability to make positive changes in their lives with the right environment and support. Rogers developed a therapeutic approach known as client-centered therapy, which emphasized empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence in the therapeutic relationship.
In addition to his work in psychology, Rogers was also a respected educator and author who taught at several universities throughout his career. His ideas about humanistic psychology and client-centered therapy challenged traditional psychoanalytic and behaviorist approaches to treatment and continue to influence many areas of psychology and psychotherapy, as well as other fields such as education, organizational development, and conflict resolution.
A brief history of Counseling
Counseling is a therapeutic approach that emerged in the United States during the 1950s, and it represents a departure from the psychoanalytic paradigm of Sigmund Freud and the behavioral studies of B.F. Skinner.
Psychologist Carl Rogers, along with later proponents Abraham Maslow and Rollo May, developed a counseling method that aimed to distance itself from the “medical-patient” model, instead striving to enhance individuals’ lives without pathologizing them.
In this new perspective, counselor and client share equal dignity, and the subject cannot be simply pigeonholed into a psychological or psychotherapeutic model. This innovative theory was revolutionary in that it recognized that individuals in distress have the resources within themselves to acquire the skills needed to overcome their difficulties.
Subsequently, Eric Berne added the concept of a “contract between two people,” in which a person facing temporary challenges is helped by another to resolve an issue that is occupying too much space in their being and hindering them from being more proactive. It is therefore necessary to establish a clear contract from the first meeting, which outlines the contents on which progress will be made.
In Italy, the first counseling experiences were undertaken by Silvana Quadrino and Giorgio Bert in the 1980s, with the aim of training doctors in the ASL 1 of Turin.
More recently, S. Quadrino’s definition of counseling has addressed the needs of an increasingly frenzied and stressful society, in which individuals are forced to conform to group attitudes to avoid feeling excluded. “Counseling is a relationship of help and guidance, not a therapeutic intervention focused on a psychological pathology, but rather it deals with interpersonal or social problems of the person, centered on the health and well-being of the individual.”
As a Systemic Counselor, my approach considers the individual and their interactions with the world around them. Through attentive listening, privileged support, human warmth, and complete empathy, I guide the client to reveal their personal reality, with all its difficulties and uncertainties. Once the person’s trust is obtained, a process begins that helps them unravel the tangle of doubts and uncertainties, leading them with compassion and without prejudice to resolve them with their own resources.
Eric Berne
How Relational Counseling is structured
Relational counseling is a process aimed at improving relationships between individuals. The counselor will work with the individuals to provide guidance on communication and problem-solving skills to improve their relationships. It is a structured process that involves establishing an initial agreement, conducting an assessment, creating an intervention plan, and conducting a set number of sessions to resolve issues.
Privacy is a crucial aspect of relational counseling, and counselors are bound by privacy laws. The individuals seeking counseling can be assured that their conversations and information shared during the sessions will remain confidential. This means that any information shared during the sessions cannot be disclosed to third parties without the individuals’ consent, except where legally required.
We will now explain each step in more detail.
Initial Contract:
The first step in relational counseling is to establish an initial contract between the counsellor and client seeking therapy. The initial contract includes establishing the purpose of the sessions, discussing the counselor’s approach, setting goals, and establishing expectations for the number of sessions. The counselor will also provide information about confidentiality and explain the limits of confidentiality.
Assessment:
Once the initial contract is established, the counsellor will conduct an assessment of the individuals seeking help. This includes gathering information about the client’s background, relationships, and any issues or challenges they may be facing. The assessment is designed to help the counsellor develop a better understanding of the clients’ needs and determine the best course of treatment.
Intervention:
After the assessment, the counselor will develop an intervention plan that is tailored to the needs of the client. This plan may involve individual sessions, couple sessions, or family sessions depending on the issues being addressed. The counselor also provides guidance on communication and problem-solving skills that can be used to improve relationships.
Ongoing Sessions:
Relational counseling typically involves a set number of sessions that are scheduled in advance. The number of sessions required to resolve the issues is usually within 10 sessions, but this may vary depending on the complexity of the issues and on the individuals’ needs and goals. During each session, the counselor will work with the client to address their issues, provide support, and help them develop effective coping skills. The counselor will also provide feedback and guidance to help the individuals make progress toward their goals.
Closure:
The final phase involves closure. This is a time when the counselor and the client reflect on the progress that has been made, discuss any remaining concerns or issues, and establish a plan for moving forward. The counsellor will provide guidance on how to maintain progress and offer resources for ongoing support.
In conclusion, by following this structured approach, individuals seeking help can address their issues, improve their relationships, and develop effective coping skills that can be used throughout their lives.
contact
I will explain the whole process in the discovery call before our first session. You will be able to decide if this is the road to take. Depending on the issue, I have various options that will lead us into our first session. The best investment you can make is investing in yourself.