Reference no: EM132170570

Questions

Answers should be at least 100-175 words and reflect critical thought. Whenever possible, please try to relate the course content to real-world applications from your work experience. Be sure to cite all sources as well.

1. What is the difference between effective and ineffective communication skills in a counseling session?

2. Some issues that are a form of ineffective communication is counseling one from different cultures and how misunderstanding can arise in conversion." Just today I had a conversation with a coworker who is a therapist. She is from Namibia, Africa; she was talking to me about how difficult it has been for her in this profession with eye contact.

In her culture, they do not have direct eye contact because it is considered rude and disrespectful. Yet here in the United States it is considered as upfront and a good form of communication. If one doesn't look you in the eyes it is seen as shifty, like they are trying to hide something.

My coworker had to get used to looking at people in the eyes; she did this by looking at the nose or other part of the face as a way to 'practice' because she knew it was vital to counseling to overcome this. How does a counselor assess the best way to communicate when dealing with someone with a differing background and culture?

3. "As counselors, we can be challenged with effective communication. A counselor has to be able to utilize the individual's cultural background as well as the context of what is being said to effectively communicate with a client. Effective communication is not merely sitting with a client and listening to the issues at hand". This is true and represents a very broad spectrum of considerations when evaluating communication.

From personal experience, I find that it is easier to explain effective and ineffective communication than to evaluate whether or not the communication during session is either. How do you think a clinician can evaluate the effectiveness of communication when working with a client in session?

4. I must admit, there have been many times when I have been working with a client in an outpatient session during the mid-afternoon when I have become a bit drowsy and, in spite of my best efforts not to, I have yawned. What do you think would be the best way to manage or address this during session?

5. In your post, you stated, " o possess effect communication skills our future clients need to feel comfortable, safe and heard." I completely agree with this statement. How do you think this is best accomplished?

6. As I thought more on this topic, I wondered how different forms of communication can influence how open our clients are willing to be and the effectiveness of those types of communication. Many of us think about communication only being face to face.

However, in today's society we use a number of different forms to communicate with our clients including video session, email and maybe even text messaging. Depending on the client, another channel of communication may need to be tailored to address their needs. Do any of you feel that other forms of communication (other than face to face) creates less effective communication?

7. Provide citation and reference to the material(s) you discuss. Describe what you found interesting regarding this topic, and why.

8. Describe how you will apply that learning in your daily life, including your work life.

9. Describe what may be unclear to you, and what you would like to learn.