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CHCCSL007 - Support Counselling Clients in Decision-Making Processes Assignment

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Assignment Task

Section 1 An Introduction To Decision Making

Introduction to Decision-Making/Problem-Solving

1.1 Select whether the following statements are True or False .

Counsellors often help clients in the decision-making process by assisting them to identify, explore, or develop an appropriate course of action/solution to the problem that they have encountered.
One way in which counsellors may assist clients in the decision-making/problem solving process is by helping clients change their emotional reactions and coping abilities.
In some cases, the difficulties that clients have in making decisions and solving problems may be linked to a lack of flexibility and over-reliance on one style of decision-making in situations where other styles would be more appropriate.

1.2 Complete the table below by identifying which decision-making style each of the clients are most likely displaying.

1.3 Briefly outline three key counsellor tasks involved in helping a client through a structured problem-solving/decision making process. (Your response should be approximately 75 words)

The Seven Step Problem-Solving Approach

1.4 In your Study Guide, you learned about the ‘seven step’ problem-solving model that counsellors often use to help guide their clients through the decision-making process. List the steps you would need to take as a counsellor using this approach. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

Clarify and Define The Problem

1.5 During which stage or stages of the counselling process is a counsellor most likely to help the client clarify and define the problem? (Your response should be approximately 20 words)

Establishing Realistic Goals

1.6 Why are counsellors interested in assisting their clients to identify specific goals to work towards?

1.7 Identify and briefly describe four techniques which counsellors can use to encourage clients to identify and explore their aims, requirements and ideas.

1.8 Read the following counsellor statements and identify which technique the counsellor is using. (Hint: Refer to pages 15-16 of your Study Guide).

1.9 Select whether the following statements are True or False .

“Long-term” goals can be described as goals that the client hopes to achieve over the next few weeks.
Counsellors often assist clients in developing specific goals to work towards from a client’s initial broad goals.
Counsellors should seek to ensure that the client is setting realistic goals for themselves.
One factor that counsellors should consider when helping the client to set realistic goals is to consider whether the client has the resources (or ability to develop the resources) required to achieve their goal.
Goals that relate to changing the behaviour of other people (rather than the client) are likely to be more effective than goals relating to the client’s own behaviour.

1.10 The SMART model can be used to help clients identify practical goals. Briefly outline the five elements of the SMART model and explain, in your own words, how using these elements can help to make goal setting more effective. (Your response should be approximately 200 words)

1.11 John is 45 years old and married with three children. He and his family have recently moved to Sydney from Brisbane and he is still feeling unsettled. His new job is demanding and requires a lot of overtime. He has not made any friends and spends his weekends catching up on paperwork. He is tired, feels down and has back pain.

John’s relationship with his wife is strained – she did not want to move and has made no attempt to find another job. The family has incurred substantial expenses due to the move and his wife has been spending a lot of money on new clothes and jewellery resulting in significant financial strain. John feels worried and stressed all the time.

Identify three possible issues or problems that John and his counsellor could focus on in counselling.
Choose one of the issues or problems that you identified in the question above and write down a practical goal that would address the issue or problem.
Imagine that John says his goal is to get his wife to want to go back into work to ease the financial pressure. Why might this goal difficult to achieve? (Your response should be approximately 30 words)

1.12 Not all client issues and client goals are suitable for counselling work. In some cases, the client’s aims and requirements cannot be met by the counsellor and referral to alternative sources of support may be required. Read the following scenarios and select any scenarios in which client’s aims and requirements are unlikely to be met within a counselling context, and would thus require referral.

1.13 Complete the table below by selecting which alternative source of support would be most appropriate for referral based on each of the client needs.

Generate Multiple Solutions

1.14 Select whether the following statements are True or False .

It is up to you as the counsellor to come up with potential options and solutions for the client.
Brainstorming means coming up with an ideal option straight away.
Open questions are more effective than closed questions in a brainstorming process.

1.15 Imagine that you are working with a client and you are interested in brainstorming potential courses of action to help them achieve their goals. Briefly describe, in your own words, three things that you should keep in mind to help make the brainstorming process effective.

Evaluate and Compare Solutions

1.16 Describe, in your own words, four factors which may influence a client’s choice of, or ability to achieve, a particular course of action. (Your response should be approximately 100 words)

1.17 When exploring potential courses of action with a client, counsellor should encourage clients to consider the potential implications and consequences of each course of action. List two personal and two social consequences counsellors should encourage clients to explore.

1.18 Mike, a married father of two young children, is very unhappy in his current job as a truck driver. His counsellor used the ‘seven-step’ model to help him decide what to do and they have brainstormed a number of options.

What could the counsellor say to Mike to help him assess the possible advantages and disadvantages of each option? List two questions that the counsellor could ask.
One of the options that Mike and his counsellor identify is to return to study full time to complete a Diploma in Counselling. Consider Mike’s situation and list two potential pros and two potential cons that Mike would be likely to identify in regard to this proposed course of action.
Decide on a Feasible, Appropriate, Solution

1.19 What are contingency plans and why are they important?

1.20 What should a counsellor do immediately after client actions and contingency plans have been decided on and agreed?

Document the client’s decision in the counselling plan .
Evaluate the outcome of the options.
Assess pros and cons of potential courses of action.

Implement the Solution AND 7. Evaluate the Outcome

1.21 Select whether the following statements are True or False .

Counsellors generally offer clients on-going support as the client implements the solution that has been identified.
The final step of the problem-solving process is to assess whether the proposed solution has been effective.

Integrating your Knowledge

The following questions require you to draw upon all of the knowledge and skills you have learned throughout this section of the Study Guide.

1.22 Counsellors help clients with a wide range of problems and goals. These include assisting clients to make changes to their behaviour, enhance their coping skills, improve their interpersonal skills, and improve their relationships. Complete the following table by identifying the type of goal that each client has developed.

1.23 For each of the descriptions below, identify which step from the ‘seven step’ model is being described.

The effectiveness of the solution is assessed.
The client is encouraged to identify broad needs and aims which are then formed intospecific goals.
The client and counsellor rank each option and the counsellor documents the agreed goal and action.
The counsellor uses rapport building skills to help the client talk about concerns and needs.
The client and counsellor use brainstorming techniques to come up with options.
The client applies the agreed solutions/actions outside of the counselling session.
The client and counsellor weigh up the pros and cons of each option.

1.24 Imagine that you are a counsellor working with Max. Max has sought out counselling because he is feeling “a bit lost”. Max finished high school three years ago. While Max obtained above average marks, he wasn’t passionate about studying anything in particular so he decided to take a “gap year” after high school to figure out his priorities. That “gap year” has now turned into three and Max is unhappy with the direction that his life is heading in. He still lives at home and works part-time as a crew member at his local McDonalds. Max thinks that it’s time to get his life “in order” but he is unsure what direction that he wants to move in and so is feeling lost.

Max has an intense interest in both game programming and web design but has been hesitant to undertake formal study in these areas because he is unsure whether or not he would be able to get a job at the end of it. He has been toying with the idea of enrolling in a TAFE course in one of these areas for quite a while now but hasn’t yet taken the plunge because he is concerned that it could “end up being a waste of time and money.” Recently, Max’s parents also talked to him about the possibility of obtaining a plumbing apprenticeship at the business of a close family friend. While Max is far from interested in plumbing work he does see that it is a “safe” option for his future.

Max is very confused about what he should do next. He has sought out counselling to help him figure out what he wants to do and where he wants to go from here. Max has come to counselling very excited about the prospect of taking some direction in his life but also very nervous about the thought of engaging in counselling and opening himself up to talk about his dreams and goals.

During the counselling session, Max identified that his main goal was to come to a decision about which work or study option that he would pursue. To assist Max with this goal you think it would be useful for Max to explore his preferences for and ability to achieve each potential course of action. List three questions you could ask Max to help him explore his preferences and abilities.
You also want to help Max explore the likely consequences of each potential course of action (i.e., attending TAFE or doing the plumbing apprenticeship). What could you say to Max to facilitate this exploration?

For facilitating the consequences, Max can be advised to search for the information on the official websites of the mentioned courses. He can also speak to people who are in the course already or have done it so that he can get an idea of how far the course can be beneficial in all senses. What would you say to the client here

Imagine that Max decides that he wants to enrol in a TAFE course on web design in order to obtain a formal qualification while at the same time establishing his own web design company. Together, you identify that the first step Max would need to take is to enrol in his desired course. Max is keen to complete his research and process his enrolment before your next session together. He states that he will conduct some online research and enrol online. You want to make sure that Max has an alternative course of action (e.g., to call the enrolments office) in case he has any difficulties obtaining information or enrolling online. What could you say to Max to respectfully acknowledge his preferred method but to also encourage him to consider what alternatives he could use if necessary?
Imagine that you and Max are exploring the advantages/disadvantages of the TAFE course and the plumbing apprenticeship. Compete the table below by identifying at least one advantage and one disadvantage for both of these options.
By the end of your session Max is full of determination – he tells you that he will enrol before your next session together. Your organisation requires you to keep brief case notes for each session that detail the focus of the session, any major interventions used or outcomes reached, and any ‘homework’ tasks that have been set so that the counsellor will be reminded to ask the client about this at the beginning of the next session. What specific points would you include in your case notes to document your work with Max during this session?

Section 2 Additional Decision-Making Models

The Z Model

2.1 Briefly describe, in your own words, the Z model of decision making and the four steps counsellors can take under this model to help clients real a more holistic, well-informed decision. (Your response should not be more than 150 words)

2.2 Jonas uses the Z model with his client to help his client explore career options. Complete the table below by selecting which step of the Z model Jonas is completing with the client.

2.3 Which types of clients would the Z model be particularly helpful for? Why? (Your response should be no more than 50 words)

This model is useful in dealing with formal people and families and one who is keen in bringing out their personal strengths and using them. The confusion aspect can be resolved as well using the Z model and allow the solution to be helpful.

Decisional Balance

2.4 What is the aim of the decisional balance tool? (Your response should be no more than 75 words)

2.5 Select whether the following statements are True or False .

When using the decisional balance tool, counsellors should encourage clients to consider the emotional implications of their decision to change.
The decisional balance should only be used for clients who are considering making changes to their level of substance use.
The goal of the decisional balance tool is to help convince the client to stop their risky behaviours.

2.6 Read the following transcripts and select the one which best demonstrates an effective use of the decisional balance technique.

Four Option Model

2.7 In your own words, briefly outline the four option model and why it might be used with a client.

2.8 Arnold is experiencing workplace bullying following the appointment of a new supervisor at this work. He decides to consult to a counsellor to help him weigh up his options – should he leave?

Consider what you have learned about the four option model and write down four potential courses of action that Arnold and his counsellor might explore.

Section 3 Practice Considerations

Obstacles and Challenges

3.1 Why might the decision-making/problem-solving process be challenging for clients and counsellors? (Your response should not be more than 100 words)

3.2 Complete the following table by identifying which obstacle/challenge is included in each scenario.

Ethical Decision-Making

3.3 Counsellors must ensure that they act in a legal and ethical manner while assisting clients in the decision-making process. Read through the following examples and identify which legal/ethical principle is most involved in each scenario and what the counsellor should do to ensure legal/ethical practice.

a) Huan has been involved in an escalating conflict situation with his inconsiderate neighbours. He discloses in his counselling session that he and his friends are going to ‘sort them out for good’ on Saturday. The counsellor believes that Huan means to physically assault his neighbour.