Psychological Communication: Theories, Roles and Skills for Counsellors

This book combines relevant theoretical insights and concrete communication skills necessary for effective psychological counseling and coaching. The book first explores the counselor's basic attitude, and then it examines the views of various client-centered, cognitive behavioral and social learning theories that are important for good counseling. Bridging theory and practice, the book describes the counselor in four roles, as confidant, communicative detective, teacher, and coach. The counselor uses these roles within a three-stage helping model: problem clarification, gaining new insights, and treatment of the problem. As a guide to counseling practice, the book looks at the essential communications skills for each of these three stages. Many practical examples that clarify the counselor-client interaction are discussed throughout the book. Online material The online material (www.psychologicalcommunication.com) accompanying the book offers numerous exercises that are helpful to enhance the student's insight in the theories and to acquire the communication skills.