214 – Social Media Considerations for Therapists

The Skill of Questioning in Counselling – Leaving Client Material Behind

In Episode 214 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, listen as Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week’s three topics:

• In this episode’s ‘Counselling Foundations’, Rory and Ken look at the skill of appropriate questioning.
• Next in ‘Focus on Self’, we think about leaving client material behind.
• And lastly in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with James Taylor on social media considerations for therapists, with a focus on online etiquette.

The Skill of Questioning in Counselling [starts at 02:03 mins]

Your approach to asking questions will differ depending on the modality of your practice, and understanding the type of question necessary is an important skill. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss the difference between these questions and the key points include:

• When it comes to person-centred therapy, you ask questions in order to clarify your own understanding and align your frame of reference with the client.
• Don’t ask to satisfy your own curiosity – think about who you’re asking the question for.
• In CBT, the questions will be more directive and probing.
• You will need to ask difficult questions in order to assess risk.
• Socratic questioning – introduces a level of discomfort.
• Be mindful that a question can move a client out of feeling and into thought.

Leaving Client Material Behind [starts at 17:53 mins]

An important step in developing your practice is finding a way of leaving client material behind. Through sharing personal experiences, Rory and Ken discuss this topic.

The main points of this section include:

• If a client’s material is sticking with you for over 48 hours, you should discuss it with your supervisor.
• Be aware of transference.
• Develop a process of setting aside this client material – maybe through journaling or process notes.
• Counselling requires a level of emotional robustness, but sometimes things can break through.
• Highlights the importance of undergoing your own personal therapy.

Social Media Considerations for Therapists [starts at 31:11 mins]

This week, Rory speaks with James Taylor on social media considerations and online etiquette for therapists.

» Watch our FREE lecture on Social Media Etiquette for Counsellors and Counsellors in Training here. «

The key points discussed are as follows:

• Be mindful that it won’t just affect you, but also your practice.
• Have a quick reread before you post anything on social media.
• When using social media, consider that you’re representing the counselling profession as a whole.
• Think about how you appear to others from an outside perspective.
• Consider having your account visible to just your friends.
• Remember that online, things can very easily be misunderstood.

Links and Resources

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