ABSTRACT
This chapter starts with a consideration of Egan’s understanding of the goals of helping and then presents an overview of stage one of the skilled helper model. A number of the key competencies that counsellors need to develop in order to work effectively in this part of the model are outlined. The overview presented in this chapter is in no way intended as a substitute for a detailed study of Egan’s original text on the skilled helper. Instead, what is offered here is a summary of the model, in the language and terminology in which I practise and teach it. By implication, this is therefore a personal and partial perspective on the model but one that hopefully will also add to the reader’s understanding of the counselling process outlined in The Skilled Helper.
