ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the differences between counselling and counselling skills and the skill of communicating. The kind of micro-counselling that takes place when counselling is embedded in other work roles is necessarily more flexible, time-limited and improvisational. Knowledge of core counselling skills will enable one to become a better communicator by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of counselling skills models. The chapter outlines a number of traditional models that have led to the creation of the more contemporary relational skills model. The four phases of relational skills model are: setting up the relationship, developing the relationship, working with the relationship, the established relationship, and maintaining and ending the relationship. In formulating the relational skills model, the chapter presents a range of well-established theoretical models. In particular: Carl Rogers: person-centred model, Egan: three-stage skills model, Culley and Bond: integrative skills model, and McLeod: the counselling menu model.
