ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on goal setting and evaluation. The helper and client are able to clarify and focus on likely changes and work collaboratively to make plans, set goals and consider and evaluate possible strategies and directions. Understanding the competence cycle will enable helpers to support clients in becoming 'consciously competent'. A good relationship and rapport with the client can be achieved through using good counselling skills and providing the client with the core conditions. Being aware of what people's body is portraying to the client is an important aspect of empathic communication. Empathy is often expressed through people's non-verbal communication. Embedding their intuitive and learned skills into the relationship can develop deeper, more relational, empathic responses. Use of metaphor is a personal preference and not everyone gains from it. Metaphors are cultural and may have different or no meaning to others.
