Counseling Mistakes

Takeaways from a Career Counseling Class

I’m teaching a graduate course in career counseling. Some students told me that last night’s class was the most valuable yet. So I thought that, as my PsychologyToday.com article today, I’d describe some of its major takeaways.

Most are applicable not just to career counselors but to all counselors, therapists, and coaches. Most of them derive from a mock first career counseling session that I conducted with a student in the class.

Whjen Your Psychotherapy, Counseling, or Personal Coaching Client Has a Career Problem

Clients of helping professionals often have a career problem: Perhaps they’re unable to figure out what career to pursue, or can’t find a job—or keep one.

Before sending your client to a career counselor, you might try one or more of the tactics I offer in my PsychologyToday.com article today.

When Your Counseling Clients Don't Do Their Homework

Other career counselors consult with me about how to improve their practice. A common concern they raise is, “What should I do about clients who don’t do their homework?  My PsychologyToday.com article today describes what I tell them and I do with my clients.

Use of Music in Counseling Sessions

Of course, there's music therapy. But even in traditional counseling and coaching, music can be a potent and enjoyable tool in sessions, even if you're not a musician. I offer ways to do that in my PsychologyToday.com article today.

The Pros and Cons of Giving Advice

A tenet of counseling—whether therapist to client, doctor to patient, or even friend-to-friend, is that it’s better to not give advice, especially if not asked for. Better to listen well and ask questions to facilitate people coming up with their own solution.

Indeed, avoiding advice-giving has advantages, but sometimes advice-giving is indeed wiser. My PsychologyToday.com article today explores the pros and cons.