Marriage divorces have been the current issue in our modern society. Due to the recurring incidences of marriage breakups, these problems are slowly taking root in our communities and seen as right. However, divorces are not usually the best solution to marital conflicts. I believe that there is always an answer to every problem and running away or quitting is never the answer. Because of these reasons, I have chosen the case of Mike and Jan.
Counseling Microskills
Counseling is very crucial, as it helps to find out on what the parties are disagreeing on and how they can solve the challenges and live a happy life. The mediator should be neutral and very attentive to the clients' complaints (Levitt, 2001). To bring an amicable solution between Mike and Jan, I will apply the following skills:
Use of Open-Ended Questions: open questions help to find out more information from the client. For example, what are the issues that make them disagree?
Paraphrase their statements: For instance, Mike and Jan explained how they had a wonderful weekend as a family together, how they took their kids to a picnic and had no disagreements nor stress.
Refection of the client feeling: The couples feel that their marriage is breaking apart, but they are optimistic that after a series of counseling they will make it work.
Trying to solve the client's problem is an art because one has to have the knowledge and skills to be able to do it (Cooper, 2014). Without the required competence, the process will be complicated. On the other hand, finding the reasons for their conflicts is a science as it requires a proper research and evidence.
References
Levitt, D. H. (January 01, 2001). Active Listening and Counselor Self-Efficacy: Emphasis on One Microskill in Beginning Counselor Training. Clinical Supervisor, 20, 101-116.
Cooper, J. B. (2014). Counseling microskills. In B. T. Erford (Ed.), Orientation to the counseling profession: Advocacy, ethics, and essential professional foundations (2nd ed.).(pp. 194–214). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
