CASE STUDY I
1. Challenges I Am Facing to Carry Out the Counseling Sessions
As an upcoming counselor, I am encountering several challenges while conducting
counseling sessions:
Building Rapport: Some clients, especially those with trauma or trust issues, are
hesitant to open up, making it difficult to establish a therapeutic alliance.
Managing Emotional Reactions: Listening to intense emotional narratives sometimes
leaves me feeling overwhelmed, and I find it difficult to maintain emotional
neutrality.
Time Management: Balancing session time while ensuring clients feel heard and
understood is a constant challenge.
Setting Boundaries: As a new counselor, I occasionally struggle with maintaining
professional boundaries, especially when clients become overly dependent or
emotionally attached.
Lack of Confidence: I sometimes doubt whether I am using the right techniques or
asking the right questions, especially when working with complex cases.
Handling Resistance: Some clients resist therapy or deny problems, and I find it
challenging to deal with their defensiveness without being confrontational.
Cultural Sensitivity: At times, I feel unsure about how to approach cultural or
religious beliefs that impact the client’s worldview or mental health.
2. Skills I Need to Build On as an Upcoming Counselor
To improve my practice and become an effective counselor, I need to develop the following
skills:
Active Listening: Enhance my ability to listen with empathy, without interrupting,
and to understand both verbal and non-verbal communication.
Emotional Regulation: Learn to manage my own emotional responses so that I can
remain calm and present during difficult sessions.
Therapeutic Techniques: Gain more knowledge and practice in applying techniques
from CBT, person-centered therapy, trauma-informed care, etc.
Crisis Intervention Skills: Learn how to respond appropriately and ethically during
emergencies or when clients disclose suicidal ideation.
Cultural Competence: Develop a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, beliefs,
and values to provide non-judgmental and sensitive care.
Boundary Setting: Learn how to maintain firm yet compassionate boundaries to avoid
emotional burnout and enmeshment.
Self-Reflection and Supervision: Regularly engage in self-reflection and seek
feedback through supervision to improve my skills and address blind spots.
Documentation and Case Management: Improve how I maintain case records, session
summaries, and follow-up plans effectively and ethically.
