The book, “First Steps in Counselling” was written by O’Farrell and first published in 1988 by the Veritus Books. Ursula was born of local solicitors named as Robert and Kathleen in 1934. She was born in Newcastle County of Limerick in Ireland. In 1956 she achieved a Bachelor’s Degree and subsequently, a Diploma in Psychology from the University College of Dublin in 1981. Since her graduation, Ursula has been a professional counsellor and played a great role in influencing constructive psychology through writings and arts. First, she is one of the founders of the “Irish Association of Counselling” that started in 1981 where she acted as the Cathaoirleach until 1995. Her professionalism got into action at a time when the Irish communities lived with stigma associated with mental illness, a fact that made her become an influential person in the association and the community as a whole.
Altogether, Ursula has written more than four books about counselling. She also compiled several works of her husband, Myles O’Farrell, from the 1960s. This was a compilation of tropical talks in the national radio and television as a series of motivational talks. Her other works include; the “Courage to Change” of 1999, “Considering Counselling” of 1998, and the “Families in Focus” which she wrote with Sarah McLoughlin in 2008. Apart from books, she has been an editor in the “Quartery Journal of Counselling and Psychology” from 2012 to 2017 as well as different articles in the Irish Times as an offer for counselling services.
Based on the “First Steps in Counselling,” Ursula significantly added up to the taste and growth of psychotherapy in the Irish community as well as the globe. Owing in mind that mental illness was traditionally considered as a curse or a cause of rejection, the author found great impact in sensitizing the necessity of human values to the general public. One of her instrumental statements in the book is that “If people are not satisfied with their lives today, they look for a better tomorrow.” Following the observations of her pioneer, Carl Rogers, Ursula provides a starting point to the virtue of a person-centered approach to finding the solutions to the mental suffering.
Book’s Structure and Synopsis
The structure of the book focuses on the elementary concepts of counseling. Basically, the author addresses the need to focus on the basic counseling skills, the establishment of quality relationships, self-awareness, and the application of knowledge in the process. Throughout the book, Ursula bases the counseling process on the aims of a positive outcome that can only be achieved through the continued participation of both the counsellor and the client. He maintains that the process must embrace the attitude of help and assistance from the perceived problems faced by the clients prior to starting off the counseling processes. He further observes that there is a need to empower the clients so as to make them feel part of the process and feel confident when expressing their psychological and personal issues.
The initial steps are divided into sections that include; the meaning of counseling and the reliable skills, definitions of concepts, styles and theories, the primary elements, basic skills, relationship building, the process, self-awareness, and focusing on differential issues that are beyond common practices. Entirely, the book contributes to the basic knowledge that governs effective counseling from the initial preparedness to practicing psychotherapy. It is clear that different kinds of psychological problems are handled in different styles and theoretical frameworks. It is, therefore, important to apply distinctive elements such as the accuracy of empathy, unconditional positive regards, genuineness, self-awareness, and other characteristics as explained in chapter 3 (O'Farrell 2006 pg. 31). Ursula finally devises a desirable model of a practical approach in which the psychotherapeutic venture must assess the practicability of the established process through the assessment of issues that seem uncommon or require modification (O'Farrell 2006 pg. 106). This practice must, therefore, aim at the individual challenges and limitations as well as the desired outcome rather than the application of the seemingly usual practices.
The author introduces the concept of building a positive counseling relationship throughout the first half of the book. This is the initial task that determines whether the psychotherapy will proceed effectively in relation to the desired results. According to Ursula, the relationship must begin with the recommendation or referral of the participants as the dependable contributors to the reasonable outcomes. Upon explaining the aims and concepts behind quality counseling, Ursula explores different examples of situations that call for the application of distinctive approaches and responses. For example when the author says “I understand because I once had the same problem myself” (O'Farrell 2006 pg. 22); this response shows that situation of trying to be part of a problem. And as well as places the counsellor in a better position to handle the specified case and builds confidence in the client. It is from the identification of the course of the problem that a theoretical approach is devised, notably from the theoretical models of psychoanalysis, behavioral, and cognitive therapies (O'Farrell 2006 pg. 25).
Throughout the entire body of the work, the writer explores the necessities of creating change, a fact that relies on the virtue of listening and responding, and the assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses. As mentioned earlier, the counsellor must place him or herself in a position of the prevailing problem. However, it is a challenge to many people who do not have a vast experience in counseling. The writer places her own example as she could not help her first client due to ineffective knowledge about careful listening and responding (O'Farrell 2006 pg. 64). She, therefore, bases the eventuality of poor counselling to lack of sufficient self-awareness which is the primary base for developing personal responsibility. According to her, responsibility, connectedness, and practical change cannot be achieved without the realization of personal strength in responding to emotions, values, and prejudices.
The book ends with relatively credible advisory chapters that emphasize on differential approach to the common psychotherapeutic methods. Essentially, there are different models of approach that include group therapy and crisis counseling (O'Farrell 2006 pg. 92). Although the methods have considerably favorable results, they are only applicable when short-lived and collective psychological intervention is required. However, the author notes that any eventuality can be handled distinctively depending on the nature of the cause and the predestined outcome. She observes that people portray differences in motives, reactions, and reasons for specific emotional responses or attachment to situations. One of the most crucial differential models is the cultural consideration. Therefore, the determinants of quality counseling base their origin from the onset of the process and the connectedness of the counselor and the client to the process.
Personal judgment
The chapter on self-awareness was the most appealing section to me. Although the context of the book is simply the key concepts of psychological counselling with less of the process, there are highly credible insights on the overall practice. The author proves to be skillful and tactical because the counselling processes are not important in the initial preparation is not adequately done. Essentially, it is the responsibility of the counsellor to devise the possible ways of recovery, an eventuality that can only be promoted by favorable problem-assessment tools.
I am greatly motivated by the intrinsic approach of relationship building in the initial stages of psychotherapy. Clearly, there is no way that a counselor can influence desirable change in a mentally ill individual if the two are not compatible. Notably, the feelings for both parties must align to each other, meaning that the counsellor must become part of the problem. Upon relationship building, self-awareness must be cultivated. To me, I have not been and good listener, a fact that can limit my connection to the client due to the failure of acknowledging the intrinsic feelings. I concur with the writer’s idea of cognition for both parties, relatively emerging from the professional. Therefore, self-attachment awareness are key components of psychoanalysis, behavioral, and cognitive mental process.
Conclusions
Counselling is a complex and cyclical process that calls for collaboration of the professional and the client in setting up the goals, formulating the actions, and contributing to the progress. Basically, there is a need to create self-awareness in a social environment that places the two parties in an equal stand and comfort towards each other. According to Ursula, the continued relationship enhances respect and trust, hence, increasing the levels of confidentiality and openness to opinions and discussions. Nevertheless, whether the case or individual client is difficult or has an advanced care need, professionals in psychological counselling are responsible for controlling the process. The virtues of a good counsellor can be listed as; self-identity, respectful and appreciative, open to change, authentic, sincere, admit failures, sensitive to culture, and lives in the present. The process of counselling is demanding and sensitive to personal attitudes and beliefs. On the other hand, the level of understanding of the clients is differentiated by the physical and environmental factors. Therefore, it is important that the professionals create an overall perception of human needs to effectively assist the client.
Reference
O'farrell, U. (2006). First steps in counselling. Dublin, Veritas.
