Basic philosophy of the skilled helper model

Basic philosophy of the skilled helper modelIn the first edition of The Skilled Helper,published in 1975, Egan expounded a model of the helping litigate with the goal to establish a training technology that applies to helper training and to the helping unconscious process itself. The subtitle of The Skilled Helper is A Problem anxiety and Opportunity Development Approach to Helping, and this reflects Egans focus on problem solving and goal setting rather than dwelling on the past ca usages of problems. It provides a organise approach to the helping process rather than providing a theory of record.The Skilled Helper is now in its ninth edition, and with each edition Egan has bankrupted and tenuous the model, with differing emphasis upon its various stages. Egan does not claim the model asThe Egan personate but regards it as his take version of the basic dynamics of the problem distributement process (Interview 1995).It is influenced by the Person Centred approach of Carl Ro gers and the Cognitive Behavioural theories of Albert Ellis, amongst others. The Rogers Core Conditions help provide the basis of the lymph node-helper relationship whilst the Cognitive Behavioural approach of Albert Ellis quarter suffice with the problem management stages of the model. The model is extremely flexible, and its integrative style allows for the introduction of various psychotherapeutic techniques into the helping process. Its fluidity allows the process to readily flow to both stage of the continuum to suit the knobs current needs, whilst providing the helper with orientation on what stage the process is at.It has proved an enduring and successful approach to counselling and problem solving, and has readily crossed into other cultures. Egan partly describes its success as due to its logic being embedded in human beings. The problem solving process is prize by humans around the world almost as a universal principle and therefore the stages of the model are readi ly determine with.The use of CBT techniques can introduce problems for under skilled helpers who whitethorn provide inappropriate guidance through the problem solving stages. The inexperienced helper may excessively view the model as a process of rigid stages and this may lead the helper away from the person centred relationship resulting in a poorer progeny for the client. From my own experience in the skills workshops there can be a tendency to rush through each stage of the process rather than develop the relationship at the clients own pace.2. The key concepts and principles of the modelThe model breaks the helping process down into threesome sections, each describing a stage of the helping and problem-solving process. apiece stage is further sub-divided into three tasks that help define the stage and the processes involved. Whilst in theory the implementation of the stages is sequential, in practice they overlap, and the helping process may strike backwards and forwards f reely between stages.Stage 1 The Current PictureThis stage sets the scene and is the clients opportunity to say what is happening in their behaviortime and to tell their story.Task 1a The StoryThe client is encouraged to talk and say why they have come to counselling and what is happening in their lives. The counsellor mustiness draw upon Rogers Core Conditions and their active listening skills to build a relationship that expresses their understanding and acceptance of the client. Such skills would include open questions, reflection, paraphrasing and summarising The narrative should progress at the clients own pace.Task 1b Blind Spots and New PerspectivesThe purpose of this task is to help the client recognise the blind spots in their story that they may have overlooked or not recognised, and to help them take a new perspective on them. The counsellor can draw upon their skills of advanced empathy and instantaneousness to raise questions that come uponsay the clients perceptio n or understanding. Self-disclosure may be used with caution by the counsellor if it is felt appropriate, whilst the counsellors use of immediacy may challenge the client to consider what is going on here and now.Task 1c LeverageAs part of stages 1a and 1b the client may have raised many issues that could be discussed. However, stage 1a helps the client, through appropriate questioning, to focus and identify oneness issue that would bring the greater benefit and make a difference in their life. a great deal managing such a problem or opportunity may minimise or eliminate the other issues raised. Alternatively the large problems in a clients life may seem so unresolvable that they need reducing to smaller issues that will help the client cope with the present, and allow them to address further issues one step at a time. The issue chosen should be of sufficient gravity to continue working with, often clients will choose problems that they can manage happily themselves. It is also im portant that the client is able to take ownership of the problem and show commitment to resolving it before moving to stage 2 of the model.Stage 2 The Preferred PictureAt stage 2 the client is helped to envisage what their ideal outcome would be, what they want their world to look like. From the early possibilities the counsellor can help the client focus on a range of objectives to work towards.Task 2a PossibilitiesThe client is helped to consider the possibilities for a better proximo and to explore what that future may be. This task often involves a level of brainstorming and creative thinking. Clients should be encouraged to use their imagination and suspend judgement. A typical question the counsellor may ask would be If you had a magic wand what would you want?Task 2b Change AgendaFrom the range of possibilities identified in task 2a, workable goals can be identified which constitute the clients change agenda. The goals should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, real istic and time-based) and it is important that they are the clients goals.Task 2c commitmentWhen a client leaves a counselling session and has to face the distractions of daily life, goals set at 2b are easily forgotten. The counsellor can help by ensuring that the goals chosen are appealing to the client and the clients own. The client should be helped to embrace and take ownership of the goalsStage 3 The Way ForwardWithout a strategy, the client may feel that the goals chosen at 2b remain unrealisable. This stage helps formulate strategies for achieving the clients goals. From these strategies a plan can be drawn to help the client snuff it forward.Task 3a Possible StrategiesThe client is encouraged to think about the possible paths that can be taken to achieve their goals. Like at stage 2a, the client should be encouraged to brainstorm and be imaginative. The counsellor may use their skills in probing and prompting to help the client focus on dissimilar avenues.Task 3b Best-fit StrategiesThere may be a number of possible strategies identified at stage 3a, however not all may be suitable to the clients circumstances. At this stage the counsellor can help the client to choose the most appropriate. Ideally, the preferred strategies will be those that are most in all likelihood to succeed and that the client has enthusiasm for.3. The Introduction of Material From Two Other Therapeutic SchoolsTransactional Analysis (TA)TA is a theory of personality developed by Eric Berne (1910-1970), a Canadian psychologist that looks at the analysis of social interactions.Berne stressed the importance of early life experiences on our personality and was influenced emerging human-centred ideas that people are born OK. The philosophy of TA is based upon 3 assumptionsPeople are born OKWe can all make our own decisionsNobody can make us do, think or say anything without our consent.TA comprises three key areasA theory of personality comprising 3 egotism states. Child, Adult, Parent that reflect our thoughts and behavioursA model of communication or transactions. In particular Berne was interested in what ego state people were transacting from and to.A developmental model referring to life scripts. We all develop a life script from an early age and live our life by it.Both the Egan Model and Transactional Analysis challenge clients to have a new perspective upon problems and both are influenced by Rogers Person Centred approach and the core conditions.However whilst TA is a theory of personality based upon ego states, the Egan model does not address personality or social theory and provides framework for helping into which elements of other theories can be introduced.TA therapy is generally over a much longer period than counselling under the Egan model which defines the specific goals of the counselling sessions much more clearly.Psychodynamic TherapyPsychodynamic Therapy is based upon the personality theories of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) and psychoana lytical psychotherapy.Freud recognised a difference between the conscious and the unconscious, or repressed, mind. A mid way between the two is our pre-conscious where our unconscious filters into our dreams or fantasies. Psychodynamic counselling aims to bring the unconscious to the conscious, enabling the client to construct a more effective personality through their increased awareness.Freud developed three components of personalityId. Our basic, unconscious instincts. Our animal drivesEgo. the ego represents what may be called reason and common sense, in contrast to the id which contains the passions (Freud 1923)Superego. An internal moral, parental voice.Freud believed that our childhood influenced our later personality and that we later re-enacted the patterns established at an early age. Psychodynamic counselling focuses on early development and experiences to help the client understand the present.Psychodynamic Counselling is insight orientated and tries to gain understand ing by delving into our past. The Egan approach is goal orientated, looking to a better future created by the clients own actions.Egan is built upon the Person Centred ideas of Rogers and is therefore client centred. The go around person to solve the clients problem, is the client. In contrast Psychodynamic counselling is expert based. The counsellor interprets the evidence provided by the client.Egan looks to change current situations whilst Psychodynamic Counselling looks for understanding. However,the flexibility of the Egan framework allows psychodynamic, or other, theories to be introduced if the counsellor believes this would be of benefit.5. Recognition of Using Methods and Techniques Without Adequate Training