Co-counselling
Co-counseling
Broadly known as evaluation counselling or reciprocal counselling, co counselling is one the most controversial self-help peer-support system. This specific kind of therapy involves the client and the therapist working as a pair for the betterment of the situation. The therapy is founded upon the principle that every individual, as they are born are bestowed with vast intellectual potential yet, for the appearance of painful memories and suppressed feelings, they tend to behave in pattern that is maladjusted. By engaging in the procedure of taking turns in devoting and receiving attention, practitioners can recover from past distress, this is the argument put forward by the Re-evaluation Counseling Community, a group that promotes this type of therapy.
What to expect?
Like most other therapies, the goal of reciprocal counseling is to gain an empowerment by exploring the basics of personal distress in a supportive environment. There are several benefits of this method, which includes the acceleration of personal growth and the reduction of stress by mutually talking, in this case with a peer rather than an “expert”. In spite of poor reliability, this type of counselling is found effective to increase skills such as being attentive to the needs of others I.e, to enhance empathy, and is also said to be compatible with the 12-step recovery program.
How Co-Counseling Works?
Co-counseling functions in a way that is very similar to other forms of therapy. That is, one person listens, while the other one talks. The main and basic difference is that the client is in charge of the session or the session is client driven, while the counselor’s actual role is to pay active attention and be supportive. As the therpy proceeds, they swap roles. The sessions are not limited in time, rather it can be correctly said that the sessions are time independent. The counselling is flexible enough to be conducted anywhere: at home, in the park or even over the telephone, depending upon the convenience of the participants.
When is Co-Counseling Therapy Used?
Co-counseling was first introduced by Harvey Jackins, in the later of the 1960s. The therapy was first put to use when the labor organizer brought home a suicidal co-worker and after providing him the necessary support, Jackins came to the conclusion that the only useful thing he could do for him was to with empathy as the man entrusted him with his core turmoil. Jackins found this provocative and interesting, so he began using the method with other acquaintances. As days went by, soon the group practicing re-evaluation counseling grew larger and expanded. Today, the community that offers courses and training for such therapy sessions has international acceptance. This type of therapy can be employed with anyone struggling with emotional problems, particularly those who are recovering from stereotypical discrimination, prejudice or oppression. Co-counseling addresses the basic human needs like the need to understand and be understood in its therapeutic process.
Role of therapist:
There is not strict therapist in this counselling sessions, as already stated, the the role of the therapist and the client is assumed as the therapy proceeds. The individual taking up the role of the client can decide how much intervention he/she desires from the counselor. He/she can choose, for example, no verbal interventions and communication through silence or as many interventions as necessary to enable and sustain the healing process. The client is independent to accept or disregard any intervention made by the counselor.
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