Unit 1
Understanding the context for the use of Counselling Skills
1.1. Define Counselling Skills:
According to the BACP, Counselling Skills are defined as ‘a combination of values, ethics, knowledge
and communication skills used to support another person’s emotional health and wellbeing.’ (BACP,
2023). These skills are the interpersonal and communication abilities used within the Therapeutic
process in order to assist individuals in addressing psychological and emotional issues. These skills
are necessary for harbouring a professional, safe and supportive environment where Clients can
discuss the issues, they are facing in order to make positive changes in their lives. Counselling Skills
can be used in a variety of settings by an individual who is not recognised as a Counsellor yet
requires the skills to assist with a person’s emotional support and wellbeing within their day-to-day
role. It is expected that the individual using Counselling Skills abides by the values and ethics outlined
in an appropriate ethical framework to ensure their effective practice.
1.2. Outline different roles within which Counselling Skills may be used:
Counselling Skills are transferable to a number of roles across various professions, which can include,
but is not limited to, roles such as Recovery Workers, who would use Empathic Listening and Active
Listening when working with Service Users, they would also encourage the Service User to work at
their own pace whilst Managing Silence. Furthermore, Carers would use Counselling Skills such as
Congruence to convey genuineness to their Clients, Police Officers would using Active Listening when
talking to Victims and Nurses would display Attentiveness and Empathic Listening when handling
bereaved Patients.
1.3. Outline different situations in which Counselling Skills may be used:
Recovery Worker: A Recovery Worker would be using Counselling Skills for support, guidance and
treatment of those accessing rehabilitation services; this could be through an NHS organisation, a
charity, or private establishment. A Recovery Worker would be using skills such as Attentiveness,
Rapport Building and Active Listening in order to develop the relationship with the Service User.
Similarly, Empathic Listening would further build on the rapport for the Client to feel comfortable
and safe in what may be a daunting environment. Using Immediacy would be extremely beneficial in
Recovery Work, as discussing the here and now could help the Client understand things such as their
thoughts and feelings which act as triggers and cravings. Empowering Change would be a
fundamental skill used in Recovery Work as it’s effective use would be preventative to relapse and
aiding towards positive changes in the individual’s life and future.
Carer: A Carer in the UK could be working in an NHS organisation, a private establishment or at home
with a friend or family member and Counselling Skills play an integral role in a Carer’s day-today
activities, particularly when dealing with elderly and vulnerable people. A Carer is expected to
immediately begin using the skills of Active Listening, Attentiveness and Rapport Building, alongside
using open and Effective Questioning with their Patients, to build trust and develop a relationship. A
Carer will also use Focussing and Immediacy to understand a Patients direct needs and Empathic
Listening would help the Patient to feel the effective support of the Carer. A Carer is also expected to
Understanding the context for the use of Counselling Skills
1.1. Define Counselling Skills:
According to the BACP, Counselling Skills are defined as ‘a combination of values, ethics, knowledge
and communication skills used to support another person’s emotional health and wellbeing.’ (BACP,
2023). These skills are the interpersonal and communication abilities used within the Therapeutic
process in order to assist individuals in addressing psychological and emotional issues. These skills
are necessary for harbouring a professional, safe and supportive environment where Clients can
discuss the issues, they are facing in order to make positive changes in their lives. Counselling Skills
can be used in a variety of settings by an individual who is not recognised as a Counsellor yet
requires the skills to assist with a person’s emotional support and wellbeing within their day-to-day
role. It is expected that the individual using Counselling Skills abides by the values and ethics outlined
in an appropriate ethical framework to ensure their effective practice.
1.2. Outline different roles within which Counselling Skills may be used:
Counselling Skills are transferable to a number of roles across various professions, which can include,
but is not limited to, roles such as Recovery Workers, who would use Empathic Listening and Active
Listening when working with Service Users, they would also encourage the Service User to work at
their own pace whilst Managing Silence. Furthermore, Carers would use Counselling Skills such as
Congruence to convey genuineness to their Clients, Police Officers would using Active Listening when
talking to Victims and Nurses would display Attentiveness and Empathic Listening when handling
bereaved Patients.
1.3. Outline different situations in which Counselling Skills may be used:
Recovery Worker: A Recovery Worker would be using Counselling Skills for support, guidance and
treatment of those accessing rehabilitation services; this could be through an NHS organisation, a
charity, or private establishment. A Recovery Worker would be using skills such as Attentiveness,
Rapport Building and Active Listening in order to develop the relationship with the Service User.
Similarly, Empathic Listening would further build on the rapport for the Client to feel comfortable
and safe in what may be a daunting environment. Using Immediacy would be extremely beneficial in
Recovery Work, as discussing the here and now could help the Client understand things such as their
thoughts and feelings which act as triggers and cravings. Empowering Change would be a
fundamental skill used in Recovery Work as it’s effective use would be preventative to relapse and
aiding towards positive changes in the individual’s life and future.
Carer: A Carer in the UK could be working in an NHS organisation, a private establishment or at home
with a friend or family member and Counselling Skills play an integral role in a Carer’s day-today
activities, particularly when dealing with elderly and vulnerable people. A Carer is expected to
immediately begin using the skills of Active Listening, Attentiveness and Rapport Building, alongside
using open and Effective Questioning with their Patients, to build trust and develop a relationship. A
Carer will also use Focussing and Immediacy to understand a Patients direct needs and Empathic
Listening would help the Patient to feel the effective support of the Carer. A Carer is also expected to
