Answer to Question #252178 in Sociology for Charmaine

Question

Schematic Representation of the three stages of Egan’s Skilled Helper Model and the ethical issues.

Answer 1

Egan (2013) noted that Gerard Egan’s Skilled Helper Model of counseling offers a well- planned and solution focused basis for psychotherapists, hypnotherapists and counselors. It is a three stage model in which each stage consist of specific skills that the therapist uses to help the client move forward. This is a 3-stage model or framework offered by Egan as useful in helping people solve problems and develop opportunities. The main objectives of using the Egan 3 Stage Model are to help individuals to manage their problems in living more effectively and develop unused opportunities fully. Also, the model’s aims at helping individuals become better at helping themselves in their day to day lives. A person’s own agenda is essential, and therefore the model seeks to move the person towards action leading to outcomes which they choose and value. The Skilled helper model is not based on any specialized theory of personality development.. It is a framework for conceptualizing the helping process, and is best used in working on issues in the recent past and the present. The model works best if attention is paid to Rogers' 'core conditions', the helpers approach to the speaker being based on genuineness, respect, and empathy, and if principles of good active listening are remembered throughout.

Stage 1- What is going on?

 

Stage 1 is about providing a safe place for the client to tell their story in their own way, and to be fully heard and acknowledged. It is about a space where a person can hear and understand their own story. It is also about gently helping them lift their head to see the wider picture and other perspectives, and to find a point from which to go forward with hope (Egan, 2013). By mastering the process of using these basic skills in an appropriate manner (often in ayclical process of stage 1 - 2- 3, the talking therapist may be able to increase their efficiency and structure their work in a more logical way. The therapist may therefore aid helping clients in a more consistent manner and being less reliant upon their fluctuating ‘therapeutic inspiration’.

Egan considered his method to be more about prevention than cure. As with any model, it provides a map, which can be used in exploring, but which is not the territory itself. The Egan model and mentoring are not synonymous; the model can be used in many kinds of helping relationships, and mentoring/co-mentoring can be done using other models. The model can and should be used flexibly. Expansive part

 

According to Feltham & Horton (2006), the helper encourages the client to tell their story, and by using good active listening skills and demonstrating the core conditions, helps them to explore and unfold the tale, and to reflect. For some, this is enough, for others it is just the beginning. There are various skills in this stage such as active listening, reflecting, paraphrasing, checking understanding, open questions, summarizing. Notably, there are useful questions that maybe asked at this stage. They include; how do/did you feel about that? What are/were you thinking? What is/was that like for you? Keep them open! What else is there about that?

Challenging part

 

Since they are in the situation, it can be difficult for the person speaking to see it clearly, or from different angles. With the help of empathic reflections and challenges, the speaker uncovers blind spots or gaps in their perceptions and assessment of the situation, of others and of themselves - their patterns, the impact of their behavior on the situation, their strengths.

Focusing and moving forward

eople often feel stuck; that is why they want to talk. In this stage, the helper seeks to move the speaker from stuckness to hope by helping them choose an area that they have the energy to move forward on, that would make a difference and benefit them.

Stage 2- What do I want instead?

 

People often move from problem to action or problem to solution, without reflecting on what they really want, or in what way their problems might be opportunities. Stage 2 is about this, about helping the speaker to open up a picture of what they really want, and how things could be better (Feltham & Horton, 2006). This stage is very important in generating energy and hope. The helper helps the client to brainstorm their ideal scenario. For instance, if you could wake up tomorrow with everything just how you want it, like your ideal world, what would it be like? The speaker is encouraged to broaden their horizon and be imaginative, rather than reflect on practicalities. For some people this is scary, for some liberating The purpose of Stage II is to help facilitate the client in developing a more in-depth and objective understanding of their situation. This stage is enacted as the Skilled Helper assists the client in exploring options and possible goals. The Skilled Helper establishes what the client really wants and needs and the client is encouraged to consider new possibilities and perspectives, choosing ones that are realistic, consistent with their values and for which there are adequate incentives. The Skilled Helper facilitates the client in developing rational decision- making based upon healthy data collection, analysis and action planning. In this state brain- storming, divergent thinking, a balance-sheet approach and force-field analysis may be used with the client in order to facilitate choices between different ways of dealing with situations and achieving goals. These techniques help the client to explore various options and strategies as well understand and work around blocking factors with facilitating factors (Short & Thomas, 2014). There are several useful skills in this stage such as brainstorming and imaginative thinking Reality testing part

 

From the creative and visionary brainstorm, the client formulates goals which are specific, measurable, achievable/appropriate realistic and have a time frame attached, i.e. SMART goals. Goals which are demanding yet achievable are motivating.

Moving forward

 

Short & Thomas (2014) alleged that this stage aims to test the realism of the goal before the person moves to action, and to help the client check their commitment to the goal by reviewing the costs and benefits to them of achieving it. Is it worth it? Various skills in this part include; facilitation of exploring costs and benefits, and checking commitment to goal.

Stage 3- How will I get there?

 

This stage is commonly known as the “how” stage. How will the person move towards the goals they have identified in Stage 2? It is about possible strategies and specific actions, about doing something to get started, whilst considering what/who might help and hinder making the change. The Egan 3 stage Model of counseling also helps their client to transfer newly acquired skills and knowledge to fresh situations, facilitates them in establishing appropriate and realistic goals. Additionally, it also encourages individuals to become self-directive and develop the skills of problem-solving, helps them to build on their inner strengths. Also, it helps individuals to utilize external resources and support groups thus it aids them realize their potential and facilitates massively in developing goals which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, ethical and reasonable. Furthermore the Skilled Helper remains in a state of external sensory awareness and retains an awareness of their client's non-verbal communications. reative part

 

The client is helped to brainstorm strategies and solve their underlying issues. What people, places, ideas, organizations could help? The aim is to free up the person to generate new and different ideas for action, breaking out of old mind-sets. The major skill in this part and stage is the facilitation of brainstorming. According to Wosket (2008) the main questions in this stage include; which of these ideas appeals most? Which is most likely to work for you? Which are within your resources/control?

Moving to action

 

The aim is to help the client plan the next steps. The strategy is broken into bite-size chunks of action. Here the speaker is doing almost all the work, producing their action plan. The helper works with them to turn good intention into specific plans with time scales. Whilst being encouraging, it's also important not to push the speaker into saying they will do things to please the helper.