CHARACTERISTICS AND KEY FACTORS OF THE EFFICIENT COUNSELLING WORK

Abstract

The paper points to the complexity and specificity of counselling as a profession, and emphasizes the importance of considering assumptions of an efficient counselling work. In this sense, the article is an overview of the basic characteristics and goals of counselling as a process aimed at empowering individuals and groups to change their life situations and improve their resources by their active functioning. A special emphasis is placed on the analysis of two factors that are crucial for the effectiveness of the counselling work: a counselling beneficiary, i.e. an individual or a group with all their needs, motivations, expectations and goals, and the counsellor, i.e. an expert with his/her personality traits, knowledge and skills. Thereby it is emphasized that the efficient counselling is not possible without establishing a positive emotional climate and an appropriate relationship between the counsellor and the beneficiary. Bearing in mind that the counselling does not provide model solutions, but helps releasing of the personality potentials which are blocked, the conclusion points out an importance of choosing the most appropriate approach in the counselling work, as well as the importance of establishing a supportive atmosphere that will provide to the beneficiary a sense of satisfaction, acceptance and safety in the counselling process.