The Role and Impact of Psychological Counseling
Psychology has evolved from focusing on the treatment of severe mental disorders and trauma to helping people improve their well-being and relationships. Psychological counseling is one of the ways that psychologists can provide support and guidance to people who are facing various challenges in their personal or professional lives.
Psychological counseling is not only for people who have mental illnesses, but also for people who want to prevent them. Sometimes, people may have unhealthy patterns of communication, irrational beliefs, or ineffective ways of coping with stress, which can lead to emotional distress and problems in their relationships. Psychological counseling can help people identify and change these patterns, and learn new skills and strategies to deal with their situations.
Different psychologists may have different approaches to psychological counseling, depending on their theoretical orientation, training, and experience. However, some common goals and objectives of psychological counseling are:
- To provide psychological assistance to a person in solving his problems and establishing relationships with others. This means that the psychologist will listen to the person’s concerns, empathize with his feelings, and help him explore his options and make decisions.
- To develop mature personality traits in the client. This means that the psychologist will help the client grow as a person, by enhancing his self-awareness, self-esteem, self-control, and self-actualization.
- To form a culturally productive personality of the client. This means that the psychologist will help the client become more adaptable, creative, and responsible, by encouraging him to think critically, act consciously, and develop various behavioral strategies and analyze the situation from different points of view.
Some of the specific tasks that a psychologist may do in psychological counseling are:
- Listening to the client. This is the most basic and essential task of a psychologist, as it shows respect, interest, and understanding to the client. Listening also helps the psychologist gather information, clarify issues, and build rapport with the client.
- Alleviating the client’s emotional state. This means that the psychologist will help the client reduce his negative emotions, such as anxiety, anger, sadness, or guilt, by providing emotional support, validation, and reassurance. The psychologist may also teach the client some relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation, to help him calm down and cope with stress.
- Acceptance by the client of responsibility for what happens to him. This means that the psychologist will help the client recognize that he has the power and the choice to change his situation, and that he is not a victim of his circumstances. The psychologist will also help the client accept the consequences of his actions, and learn from his mistakes.
- Help from a psychologist in determining what exactly and how can be changed in the situation. This means that the psychologist will help the client set realistic and achievable goals, and plan the steps and actions to reach them. The psychologist will also help the client monitor his progress, evaluate his results, and make adjustments if needed.
The main task of a psychologist is to create conditions for a normal, mentally healthy client in which he would begin to create conscious, unconventional ways of acting that would allow him to act in accordance with the capabilities of the environment. This means that the psychologist will provide a safe, confidential, and supportive environment for the client, where he can express himself freely, explore his thoughts and feelings, and experiment with new behaviors. The psychologist will also challenge the client to think outside the box, try new things, and discover new possibilities.