The REBT Model of Counselling - What to Do When a Client Asks You a Question

In Episode 232 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics:

In 'Counselling Foundations' we look at Albert Ellis' REBT model.

Then in 'Focus on Self' we think about what to do when a client asks us a question.

And finally in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Erene Hadjiioannou on the impact and ways of managing vicarious trauma.

Albert Ellis' REBT Model [starts at 02:13 mins]

In this section, Rory and Ken discuss Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT).

The key points of this section include:

REBT is all about challenging irrational belief.

How we think effects how we feel, how we feel effects how behave, then how we behave effects how we live our lives.

If you can change your thoughts, you can change the consequences.

It's not what happens that effects our emotions, it's how we react.

ABCDE model - Action, Belief, Consequence, Dispute, Effect.

Puts thinking at the top of the chain - rational over irrational.

Have a think about the difference between thinking and feeling.

What to Do When a Client Asks You a Question [starts at 24:33 mins]

Knowing what to do when a client asks you a question can be difficult, and in this section, Rory and Ken discuss how they might navigate this.

The main points of this section are as follows:

Putting the question back to the client is an option, but this isn't always appropriate.

Be careful and think whether the client is looking to you to solve their problem for them.

Alternatively, your client may simply be looking for more information - in this case, your answer is likely to benefit them.

Whether or not you choose to answer personal questions is dependent on your own boundaries and self-disclosure - consider whether answering these questions will help or hinder the therapeutic relationship.

Managing Vicarious Trauma [starts at 40:25 mins]

In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Erene Hadjiioannou about the impacts of vicarious trauma and ways of managing it.

The key points of this discussion include:

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