Topic 4: Counseling Skills

What four considerations address the when, where, how, and who of initiating a counseling program?

1) Timing. When should one begin development of a financial counseling program? The best answer is "when there is a need." 2) Location. Where is the best place to provide fin counseling? 3) Approach. The question of how the counseling program will be initiated must be addressed. How, in this instance refers to whether the financial counseling program is to be instituted all at once , or bit by bit. 4) Policies. The type of formal and informal policies that will operate to assure that the fin counseling programs reaches the widest membership with the greatest impact must be determined and specified

Diagram different ways a rectangular table can be used with an atmosphere of equality.

1)Client at head of table & counselor on side of table counseling strategy is planning and/or productive rather than teaching. cooperative arrangement. the corner of the desk offers the client some security while establishing an atmosphere conducive to equality. 2)Counselor and Client on same side of table/sitting next to each other counselor strategy is neither teaching or planning, but rather counseling or mutual problem solving. co-optive arrangement. equal power and responsibility. both the counselor and client are removed from the desk's influence.

List four common sources of conflict.

1)differences in male-female communication styles 2)differences in learning styles 3)differences in basic needs 4)differences in values

What are the five components of effective reinforcement?

1)focus the reinforcement on the behavior, not the person 2)make reinforcements specific to the behavior 3)use social aspects of the fin counseling relationship to provide reinforcement 4)the closer to the behavior that reinforcement occurs the more powerful it is 5)the strength of the reinforcement should be determined by the importance of the behavior

What resources might a counselor suggest to a client to aid him in continued financial and personal growth?

1)future financial counseling if the need arises 2)self-help groups 3)self-help literature 4)technology for accessing chat lines, etc.

List three ways using client's resources may help them resolve their issues.

1)use the client's fin. resources to help the client achieve goals 2)use the clients' desire to get ahead as a motivator for specific behavior change 3) incorporate the clients willingness to work hard to overcome fin. difficulties clients will be able to face fin

List four situations when using silence may be an effective intervention.

1)when the fin counselor wishes to provide clients time to think about particular issues. In this situation, the silence is usually preceded by specific fin. counselor stimulus 2)when the client verbally or non-verbally has demonstrated a desire to reflect on a particular feeling, silence allows the client to examine his feelings in a psychologically safe environment 3)when the fin counselor wishes to help clients accept greater responsibility for their behavior 4)silence can be used strategically to change the pace of an interaction

List some advantages and disadvantages of cyber-counseling.

Advantages include convenience especially for those with limited time and who need counseling during off hours of the day. Another advantage is that is can overcome geographical, physical, and time constraints. A disadvantage for the counselor includes absence of non-verbal clues. Dependence on the written word can reduce personalization and increase anonymity, psychological distance, misunderstanding, amount of time for the counseling relationship to develop and length of time to arrive at desirable outcomes

Define clothes as it relates to "personal" considerations when creating or improving a counseling program.

Appropriateness of professional dress follows subtle, informal rules. Through professional training and experience, counselors learn most of these rules. Conservative clothing - steering clear of bright colors, bold patterns, and unconventional styles - ensures a more professional image.

Define hygiene as it relates to "personal" considerations when creating or improving a counseling program.

Attending to one's hair, fingernails, teeth, breath, and body odor reflect positively on one's personal self-image and professional awareness. Personal sloppiness communicates an uncaring attitude that clients can generalize to perceived professional competence.

List the worst possible outcome for this goal.

Don't use a budget.

Describe Vise

Fin counselor is attacked by both clients. Does not respond directly to the attacks. But, rather directs attention to the strong emotions begin expressed and then puts focus back on what couple or group wants to accomplish

Describe Participant Observer

Fin counselor participates in the communication while maintaining a psychological position for observing interaction

List the best possible outcome for this goal.

Follow a budget regularly.

Describe the difference between formative and summative evaluations.

Formative evaluation is short-term and summative is long-term. Formative evaluation looks at the service from within individual interactions whereas summative evaluation provides an overview of the fin counseling program or service. Results of formative evaluation are immediate and results of summative counseling usually take longer.

Describe how communication patterns change when adding more than one client.

From mutual to the fin counselor as the center or hub of communication flow

Define communicative ability as it relates to "personal" considerations when creating or improving a counseling program.

Good financial counselors attempt to listen attentively to their clients and to talk when their clients have finished what they have to say. Verbal communication should be purposeful and appropriate to the counselor's strategy. Most people prefer to listen to someone who doesn't speak too fast or too slow, too loud or too soft, too high pitched or too low pitched or with too much of an accent. In most fin counseling, a low-keyed, straightforward manner of presentation is most believable and productive.

Define interpersonal responsiveness as it relates to "personal" considerations when creating or improving a counseling program.

How counselors use eye contact, how and when they smile, how and when they nod their head all can communicate attentiveness and interest. It is important for counselors to know how and when to respond so that they can respond in a manner that is consistent with their strategies and financial counseling goals. Handshakes should have a moderate grip that communicates concern without being overbearing.

List some "physical" considerations when creating or improving a counseling program.

Location that is easily accessed, convenient, and private can make a client feel psychologically safe. The floor plan counselors use to organize office furniture is important in establishing an atmosphere that will facilitate communication. Use of furniture , textures, colors, decorations, and professional acquisitions. Furniture and Textures: wood furniture and natural fibers, addition of a sofa or easy chair in addition to tables and chairs can soften the atmosphere and allow for alternative arrangements for professional discussions Colors: pastel or earth tone colors make most people feel psychologically comfortable and are more acceptable for professional environments Decorations: subtle artwork, plants, flowers, and small trees add to the psychological comfort of an office Professional Acquisitions: displaying licenses, diplomas, certificates of achievement, and professional awards give clients evidence that counselors are skilled professionals and set the stage for open professional communication

Describe Multiple Attack

Occurs when 3 or more people attack the fin counselor

Describe Caught in the Middle

Occurs when fin counselor is asked to take sides by two clients they are counseling or when client is consulting more than on fin counselor and hoping that similar responses , suggestions, or guidance will help them make their decision or resolve their conflict rather than making the decision best for them

Preferred position for the counselor during a conflict

Participant observer as fin counselor moves to this position during each of the previously mentioned conflict situations.

Explain the difference between a "process assessment" and an "outcome assessment".

Process assessment tends to focus on the less tangible or observable outcomes usually more of important to the counselor when measuring the effectiveness of counseling. Examples include change in beliefs and attitudes and decision-making skills. Outcome assessment are more observable and easier to assess and more of a concern for the client and institutions. Examples include more consistent savings and timely loan payments.

Define social consistency as it relates to "personal" considerations when creating or improving a counseling program.

Social consistency refers to how well counselors meet social expectations of others in specific social situations or how well they reflect social norms of their profession.

Define social expecations as it relates to "personal" considerations when creating or improving a counseling program.

Social expectations are based on our experiences and familiarity with specific social groups and specific situations. These expectations are the basis for what is socially acceptable.

Which person should you non-verbally pace when you are counseling more than one person?

The person who is talking. When you non-verbally pace a person, the person will tend to direct more communication toward you than to others and the counselor becomes the hub of the communicative pattern.

Describe the difference between reinforcing and extinguishing strategies.

The purpose of reinforcing strategies is to encourage, reward, or motivate clients. Extinguishing strategies are used to help clients overcome, diminish, or eliminate negative behaviors.

Define carriage as it relates to "personal" considerations when creating or improving a counseling program.

The way one physically hold oneself and walks and the expression on their face. Carriage influences peoples opinion of us, possibly their actions toward us, and how they classify us.

What is the purpose of identifying a client's financial condition?

To determine corrective action needed

Why might it be important to identify a client's financial attitudes or values?

To determine what strategies to use

State one goal a client might have.

To develop a budget.

When might budgeting be used appropriately in financial counseling?

To satisfy a specific client need.

List the expected outcome for this goal.

Use a budget most of the time.

When is it appropriate to terminate a counseling relationship?

When the client no longer has needs to be satisfied through the counseling relationship and when the client has reached a point where they are responsible for their own behavior.

Why would a counselor want to shift responsibility to a client?

achievement of this goal assures that once fin. counseling has been terminated, client's will be able to face fin. difficulties w/ greater confidence and make better decisions

How can "teaching be an effective intervention strategy?

can use any source of info that is specific and appropriate to the task to discuss and teach clients about a topic

Describe a situation when role playing would be appropriate and helpful.

when a client needs an opportunity to practice their verbalized message and react to responses provided by the counselor