JOURNAL REFLECTIVING USE SELF AWRENESS IN HELPING WORK Coursework

JOURNAL REFLECTIVING USE SELF AWRENESS IN HELPING WORK - Coursework Example Self-awareness entails consciousness of communication styles and how they affect the clients’ perceptions of counsellors’ professional abilities and empathy. Self-aware counsellors know how to choose proper communication styles that are best for clients, in order to make them feel that client welfare is their counsellors’ main priority (Uhlemann and Jordan, 2012, p.71). Some self-awareness practices involve appropriate sitting position and distance and eye-contact considerations. Counsellors should be able to sit at the right position and distance that respect clients’ personal space. They must be close enough though to easily show their empathy for them. Counsellors should also be able to know how comfortable clients are with eye contact through observing their nonverbal reactions to it, although many people trust others who can see them literally eye-to-eye. Being aware of these behaviours can make clients feel more comfortable in communicating with thei r counsellors and improve the ease of establishing counsellor-client trust. Besides communication behaviours, self-awareness also means being aware of their strengths and weakness, including biases and limitations. Self-aware counsellors recognize their skills and abilities (Uhlemann and Jordan, 2012, p.71). They know how to be concrete and specific with their advice and how to help their clients improve their ability to make action plans. An example of strength is being able to discuss various coping options for clients because of the knowledge of different coping mechanisms across cultures. Apart from strengths, self-aware counsellors know their weaknesses. An example of a weakness is getting frustrated with female clients who cannot leave their irresponsible husbands, even when these men are violent and unfaithful. Some counsellors may sense anger and frustration in their voices and behaviours when they hear about men taking advantage of these