Journal 10-11-10

We had an activity in psychology class this afternoon. Class was divided into two groups, A&B. People in group A walked after instructor with their eyes closed and with guidance of the partner in group B. Then role was switched. It was funny and we all enjoyed it. What’s the point?

In the process of counseling, the counselors are like guides and clients are the blinds. Clients will struggle emotionally when facing big life changes/events such as being informed as having certain genetic disorders or carrying a baby with defects, which totally shifts their expected life path. As a counselor, our job is to work the clients through, like guides, telling them what is right in front of them, what they can avoid, what they can get over with help, what they should pay attention. Evidently, the effectiveness depends on the trustworthy relationship between counselors and clients, which I believe is built up by communication. In addition, in the process of taking them through, encouragement is necessary. Believing that they can handle it and caring about their feelings in the process will greatly boost their confidence of self-support. I saw no one guiding their partner only verbally. We generally held the partner’s hand and even held her waist. It is too difficult for one to go through all uphill or downhill, or steps by herself. We need to take them through. This is the point of the activity and the bottom line of counseling.