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CNDV 5310 WEEK 1 ASSIGNMENT | LATEST UPDATE
Week 1 Assignment
Department of Counseling, Lamar University
CNDV 5310: Counseling Skills
Dr. Sacky Holdiness
, 2
Week 1 Assignment
Strengths and areas for improvement
I have many thoughts regarding my mock interview. I believe a couple of my strengths were
maintaining good eye contact, body language, and minimal encouragers. While sharing, the client often
would look to me for encouragement and would continue sharing due to my nonverbal encouragement.
I made sure that I would paraphrase what he was struggling with as to communicate to him that I in fact
heard what was being said and prompt him to share more.
As for eye contact and my body language, I felt that showing empathetic listening by maintain
eye contact helped. I did not want to appear too intense, so I would keep that in mind with my eye
contact. I wanted them to know that I was actively listening and would show that through my facial
expressions and body language (Young, 2021). Leaning in while they are speaking and giving the client
my full attention helped very much.
As for improvement, I’ll be honest I felt that I rambled on at times, struggled with repeating
myself, and my speed. I tend to ramble when trying to make a point, I mainly do that when I am nervous.
I found myself repeating the same words, especially the word “stress” or “stressors.” I also felt that I
need to improve on my speed. At times, I felt that I spoke too fast because I was nervous and then I
would slow down which did feel more natural. I wanted the session to feel more like a casual
conversation rather than a formal one. I did notice that when I spoke slower, the client seemed more at
ease. I wanted to be sure I included everything into the 10 minutes session, so I was nervous about
getting that done. I know there are many skills that I still need to develop and approve upon in the
coming weeks.
Utilizing Theory
It is early in the course and with this first session complete I have yet to have the opportunity to
utilize a particular counseling theory. During the beginning or first session the counselor and client are
CNDV 5310 WEEK 1 ASSIGNMENT | LATEST UPDATE
Week 1 Assignment
Department of Counseling, Lamar University
CNDV 5310: Counseling Skills
Dr. Sacky Holdiness
, 2
Week 1 Assignment
Strengths and areas for improvement
I have many thoughts regarding my mock interview. I believe a couple of my strengths were
maintaining good eye contact, body language, and minimal encouragers. While sharing, the client often
would look to me for encouragement and would continue sharing due to my nonverbal encouragement.
I made sure that I would paraphrase what he was struggling with as to communicate to him that I in fact
heard what was being said and prompt him to share more.
As for eye contact and my body language, I felt that showing empathetic listening by maintain
eye contact helped. I did not want to appear too intense, so I would keep that in mind with my eye
contact. I wanted them to know that I was actively listening and would show that through my facial
expressions and body language (Young, 2021). Leaning in while they are speaking and giving the client
my full attention helped very much.
As for improvement, I’ll be honest I felt that I rambled on at times, struggled with repeating
myself, and my speed. I tend to ramble when trying to make a point, I mainly do that when I am nervous.
I found myself repeating the same words, especially the word “stress” or “stressors.” I also felt that I
need to improve on my speed. At times, I felt that I spoke too fast because I was nervous and then I
would slow down which did feel more natural. I wanted the session to feel more like a casual
conversation rather than a formal one. I did notice that when I spoke slower, the client seemed more at
ease. I wanted to be sure I included everything into the 10 minutes session, so I was nervous about
getting that done. I know there are many skills that I still need to develop and approve upon in the
coming weeks.
Utilizing Theory
It is early in the course and with this first session complete I have yet to have the opportunity to
utilize a particular counseling theory. During the beginning or first session the counselor and client are
