How to Become a Naturally Therapeutic Counselor

Naturally Therapeutic Counseling became prominent in 1989 with Jacquelyn Small's book "Becoming Naturally Therapeutic: A Return to the True Essence of Helping". The book's concept is not only about professional counselors showing warmth and authenticity in the exchange with their clients, but is also for any person who finds himself listening to a friend or loved one's painful thoughts. It is a process whereby one person engages another to listen and hear their message, which the listener hears with love. This is how healing occurs according to the Ms. Small.

Instructions

• 1

  Respect the client's feelings and experiences. When he walks into your office for the first time, don't talk down to him. Rather, display a welcoming attitude. It takes courage to ask for outside help; convey this attitude to your client.

• 2

  Show that you are empathetic and not removed or remote from human experiences. Don't put on the counselor hat and act as if you are above your client. You don't want to appear as though you're looking down on your client from a great height. Such an attitude blocks therapeutic counseling.

• 3

  Don't assume that you know more than your client does about her own issues. Allow her to express her feelings. People entering counseling want most to feel heard, which is often missing from their lives. If you don't listen, you risk appearing emotionally unavailable, which prevents a naturally therapeutic counseling session from occurring.

• 4

  Disclose, but not too much. Even though at times it's beneficial for the client to hear something of your personal life, present it in small and infrequent doses. Keep all sessions focused on him, to do otherwise is to interfere with your client's healing.

• 5

  Keep your ego out of the naturally therapeutic exchange with your client. The counseling session is about her. Don't make your client feel that she'll disappoint you if she doesn't take your advice or that she's there to feed your ego.

• 6

  Do confront your client when the need arises. For instance, if he promises to complete a homework assignment to turn in at the next session, hold him accountable. If he doesn't finish the assignment, ask him about it, don't dismiss it.

• 7

  Promote authenticity. When you're meeting with your client, express your true feelings. You're authentic when you refuse to express feelings and attitudes that you don't feel. You're also in a genuine exchange when you listen, rather than censor your clients true feelings. It's naturally therapeutic counseling to put your ego aside and attend to the client's needs with warmth and kindness.