233 – Focusing in Counselling

Phenomenology – New Beginnings

In Episode 233 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast – the last of the season – your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through today’s three topics:

• In ‘Counselling Foundations’, we look at phenomenology – the philosophy of perception.
• Then in ‘Focus on Self’, we think about new beginnings.
• And lastly in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Sally-Anne Armitage about using the skill of focusing in counselling.

Phenomenology [starts at 02:03 mins]

Listen as Rory and Ken discuss the tongue twister of the day – phenomenology.

The key points of this discussion include:

• It is the philosophy of experience and perception.
• How we interpret the world, our place in the world, and what is happening around us – this will be completely individual to ourselves.
• To enter the clients frame of reference is to understand their phenomenological view.
• How you engage with the world will be different from others.
• Should counsellors offer a gentle challenge to alter a client’s worldview or opinion on something?
• The phenomenological way we view things can change.

New Beginnings [starts at 19:56 mins]

Plenty of focus is given to endings within our lives, but focusing on new beginnings is just as important.

In this section Rory and Ken discuss some of the main things you can consider when it comes to your new beginnings:

• Maybe try and place more emphasis on beginnings than endings – think about where you’re going, not necessarily where you’ve been.
• Thinking, ‘what’s next?’
• With every ending there is a beginning – try not to dwell of the endings.
• New beginnings can come in different forms with different feelings – excitement, nervousness.
• Embrace the new beginnings.

Using the Skill of Focusing in Counselling [starts at 30:38 mins]

In this week’s ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with good friend Sally-Anne Armitage about using the skill of focusing in your counselling practice.

The main points of this discussion include:

• You might begin by asking the client where they want to start, or if there’s something in particular they would like to prioritise speaking about.
• Using the skill of focusing in counselling also means picking up on incongruence – very carefully watching clients’ actions, tones, and emphasis.
• Taking the clients closer to their own frame of reference.
• Saying what you observe, inviting the client to be themselves.
• Some things to be thoughtful of:
  • Not using your own frame of reference – almost everything should be coming from the client, not you.
  • Our intervention should go back into the client – not leading to new. Lead the client ‘in’ not ‘out’.
  • Transference and your own experiences may make it difficult to use focusing and stay in the client’s frame of reference.
• Don’t try to solve or analyse – listen.

Links and Resources

Counselling Skills Academy

Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision

Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide

Counsellor CPD

Counselling Study Resource

Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide

Counselling Tutor Shop

Facebook group

Website

Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide

Online and Telephone Counselling Course