Curious Christian

Well, we got onto Egan stage II this week – exploring future possibilities.

Did a bit of recapping on transactional analysis as well as directive vs. non-directive approaches to helping. This was helpful for me as it clarified that I can potentially use my knowledge and skills with meditation and relaxation therapy in a counseling context. The ethical issue – if I could put is simplistically – is to be careful to differentiate between (a) assuming my skills will be helpful for people and (b) asking people whether it could be helpful for them, and respecting their response if the answer is no. I feel a lot more comfortable with that now.

We explored skills for helping people explore possibilities for a better future. I found this amusing as, being so future orientated myself, if I have a deficiency it’s getting stuck in the future and not paying enough attention to the now. I asked a question along those lines, but overall I came away feeling this aspect of the counseling process seems fairly natural for me. I thought the “if you were brave enough, want would you do…” question was very interesting in given that it could be a very effective way to draw out what people are afraid of doing. But I feel it would very much need to be within the context of a deeply empatheic relationship though.

We did some practical exercises in transactional analysis which helped shed some light on some personal issues for me and also gave me a taste for what using it in a counseling situation could be like. I always find the prac work helps things sink in.

Oh, and of course, I should mention, I spoke to the course director about last weeks “reframe” and had a brief chat about the possibility of switching from a Graduate Diploma in Divinity to a Graduate Diploma in Christian Counseling. I seems there are no barriers of any significance. I have arranged to have a deeper discussion with him next week about counseling as a career choise – I want to explore what that would mean. I don’t think I’ll bother to attempt to articulate what’s going on in my head about a decision of that magnitude. Am I brave enough? Is that a viable goal? Don’t know yet. “I choose” to explore it though.

Note: This thread, College Reflections, is to be submitted for assessment as part of my coursework in The Foundations of Christian Counseling at Morling College at the end of Semester 1, 2007. If you would like to speak to me about issues I raise in this thread, but are concerned about privacy, please email me privately  instead of leaving a public comment.