Communication

Solution-Focused Communication Skills Training

Communication is the primary activity from which to build a healthy, enjoyable, and fulfilling intimate relationship. Most problems in relationships either develop from or are maintained through either a lack of communication or poor communication. »

How to Communicate Assertively in Your Relationship

Couples when they get married usually believe that they are on an equal footing and that marriage or their decision to live together gives them the permission to express their feelings and wants with an expectation that they will be respected, to state their views and opinions with an understanding that they will be listened to, and to say “no” openly without feeling guilty. »

Strategies to Build Rapport with Clients

Most therapists possess an innate desire to help others, and because of this emotional involvement, sometimes it can be challenging to convert the potential into practical results. Whilst we’ve tackled the basic premises which can help counsellors enter the market and attract clients, there is still one aspect of the counselling relationship which is indispensable for a counsellor’s success: clien... »

Self-Disclosure – Concepts and Applications

Although we are ultimately social beings, most humans are both consciously and subconsciously determined to improve themselves, and to derive meaning to their existence. In this context, we are faced with the everyday challenge of balancing our own needs for fulfilment and recognition with the need to co-relate with others, to promote altruism and to help people in need. This paradox takes centre ... »

Influencing Skills

Influence is a governing concept in any decision-making process, relationship and ultimately, behavioural response. It is also the raw material for the production of concepts such as power, persuasion, attraction, and many others which are highly relevant in our daily lives. In this article, however, we will focus particularly on the appropriate, positive application of influence in the counsellin... »

Five Counselling Microskills

Counselling Microskills are specific skills a counsellor can use to enhance their communication with clients. These skills enable a counsellor to effectively build a working alliance and engage clients in discussion that is both helpful and meaningful. In this article, you will briefly consider five of these core skills of counselling which alone or together can help a client to access their deepe... »

Effective Counselling and the Objectivity Challenge

Most people tend to be compassionate. Perhaps it is a human evolutionary trait, or simply the manner in which we have been trained to understand and act upon our emotions. Or it could stem from the need to help others in order to achieve a sense of belonging. In modern society - represented by large conglomerates of human beings living collectively - people have daily opportunities to help others,... »

Conflict Resolution Skills, Part 2

Conflict occurs when people (or other parties) perceive that, as a consequence of a disagreement, there is a threat to their needs, interests or concerns. This article continues from Part 1, by exploring different degrees of conflict and the skills of conflict resolution. »

Conflict Resolution Skills, Part 1

Conflict occurs when people (or other parties) perceive that, as a consequence of a disagreement, there is a threat to their needs, interests or concerns. In this article, we look at two areas that need to be considered when working with conflict resolution: childhood attachments and values. »

Teaching Clients to Become Assertive

Assertiveness is the ability to express one’s feelings, opinions, beliefs and needs directly, openly and honestly, assert one’s rights whilst respecting the feelings and rights of another (Lloyd, 1998). Non-assertive individuals may be passive, aggressive or passive-aggressive. »

Principles of Active Listening

Active listening is an essential skill counsellors can exploit to develop a positive and healthy interaction with a client. There are numerous situations in which counsellors can utilise active listening to build rapport with clients and improve overall communication. Some of these are explored in this article. »

Communication and Counselling

Communication is one of the fundamental necessities of our relationships with other people, whether it is a stranger, work colleague, family member, child or life partner. While our interpersonal relationships can be rewarding, many of us find ourselves in situations of mis-communication and communication breakdown, often leading to interpersonal conflict. »

Body Language in Communication

“Fie, fie upon her! There's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip. Nay, her foot speaks; her wanton spirits look out at every joint and motive of her body.” William Shakespeare’s description is one of many epic passages that illustrate the complexity of body language. »

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