Module 9: Psychological counseling
9.3. Structure of the consultation process

None of the theoretical orientations or schools of psychological counseling reflects all possible situations of interaction between the consultant and the client. Therefore, let us consider the most general model of the structure of the consultative process, called eclectic (V. E. Gilland et al., 1989). This system model, which covers six closely related stages, reflects the universal features of psychological counseling or psychotherapy of any orientation.

Research problems. At this stage, the ant consultant establishes contact with the client and achieves mutual trust: it is necessary to carefully listen to the client talking about their difficulties, and show maximum sincerity, empathy, and care, without resorting to assessments and manipulation. The client should be encouraged to take a deeper look at the problems they have encountered and record their feelings, the content of statements, and nonverbal behavior.

Two-dimensional problem definition. At this stage, the consultant seeks to accurately characterize the client's problems, identifying both emotional and cognitive aspects of them. Problems are clarified until the client and consultant reach the same understanding; problems are defined by specific concepts. Accurate identification of problems allows you to understand their causes, and sometimes indicates ways to resolve them. If there are difficulties or ambiguities in identifying problems, then we should return to the research stage.

Identification of alternatives. At this stage, possible alternatives to solving problems are identified and openly discussed. Using open-ended questions, the consultant encourages the client to name all possible options that he considers appropriate and realistic, helps to put forward additional alternatives, but does not impose his decisions. During the conversation, you can create a written list of options to make it easier to compare them. You should find alternatives to solving problems that the client can use directly.

Planning. At this stage, the selected alternatives are critically evaluated. The consultant helps the client figure out which alternatives are appropriate and realistic in terms of previous experience and a real willingness to change. Drawing up a realistic problem-solving plan should also help the client understand that not all problems are solvable. Some problems are too time-consuming; others can only be partially solved by reducing their destructive, disruptive effects. In the problem-solving plan, it is necessary to provide for the means and methods by which the client will check the realism of the chosen solution (role-playing games, "rehearsal" of actions, etc.).

Activity. At this stage, the problem-solving plan is consistently implemented. The consultant helps the client to build the activity taking into account the circumstances, time, emotional costs, as well as understanding the possibility of failure in achieving goals. The client must learn that a partial failure is not a disaster and must continue to implement a plan to solve the problem, linking all actions to the final goal.

Rating and feedback. At this stage, the client, together with the consultant, assesses the level of achievement of the goal (the degree of problem resolution) and summarizes the results achieved. If necessary, it is possible to clarify the solution plan. If new or deeply hidden problems arise, it is necessary to return to the previous stages.

This model, which reflects the consultation process, only helps to better understand how a particular consultation occurs. The actual consultation process is much more extensive and often does not follow this algorithm. The selection of stages is conditional, since in practical work some stages are connected with others, and their interdependence is more complex than in the presented scheme.

Here it is necessary to emphasize once again what was mentioned above — in the process of consulting, it is not so much the diagrams that are important (although a general idea and understanding of the course of consulting is mandatory), but the professional and human competence of the consultant. It consists of many elements, which will be discussed below. Let's list the general rules and guidelines of the consultant that structure the consultation process and make it effective:

No two clients and consulting situations are the same. Human problems may seem similar only from the outside, but because they arise, develop, and exist in the context of unique human lives, the problems themselves are actually unique. Therefore, each consultation interaction is unique and unique.

In the process of counseling, the client and the consultant are constantly changing according to their relationship; in psychological counseling, there are no static situations.

The best expert on their own problems is the client, so when consulting, you should help them take responsibility for solving their problems. The client's vision of their own problems is no less, and perhaps even more important, than the consultant's idea of them.

In the process of consulting, the client's sense of security is more important than the consultant's requirements. Thus, in consulting, it is inappropriate to achieve a goal at any cost, without paying attention to the emotional state of the client.

In an effort to help the client, the consultant must "connect" all his professional and personal capabilities, but in each case, he must not forget that he is only a human being and therefore is not able to fully take responsibility for another person, for his life and difficulties.

You should not expect an immediate effect from each individual consultation meeting — problem solving and the success of counseling is not like a straight line that rises evenly; it is a process in which noticeable improvements are replaced by deterioration, because self-change requires a lot of effort and risk, which does not always and immediately end in success.

A competent consultant knows the level of their professional qualifications and their own shortcomings, and is responsible for following the rules of ethics and working for the benefit of clients.

Different theoretical approaches can be used to identify and conceptualize each problem, but there is not and cannot be the best theoretical approach.

Some problems are essentially human dilemmas and are basically unsolvable (for example, the problem of existential guilt). In such cases, the consultant should help the client understand the inevitability of the situation and come to terms with it.

Effective consulting is a process that is performed together with the client, but not instead of the client. We will return to the question of the structure of the process in order to make a concrete assessment of the course of counseling.