2September2010
Counseling is something like surgery
Naturally it is much easier to prevent personal advances than to cope with them after they arise. Desirable ways to prevent them are these:
(1) Avoid physical contacts other than shaking hands.
(2) Avoid satisfying your own desires intellectually by prob
ing for unnecessary intimate details. It is well to keep in mind that
when your own personal desires are unsatisfied, it is easy to be
unconsciously seductive toward another person. After marriage a
man may find himself even more vulnerable at times, especially if
he and his wife are separated for an extended period. This fact is
so important that Paul discusses it thoroughly in I Corinthians 7.
(3) Keep the counselee from becoming emotionally involved
too fast. This can usually be done by limiting the length of your
interview to an hour or less. The therapeutic (getting well) process
is not limited only to the time spent in an actual counseling session.
If it is really effective, the process will continue its effectiveness
l•etween interviews. As the counselee gains insights he will become
less and less dependent on you. This should be your goal. But you
need to make certain that some hidden need of your own does not
interfere with the therapeutic process.
Also, he sure you counsel in an appropriate place. Toronto Niagara Falls Tours has been the Honeymoon Capital of the World for over 200 years and is shortly turning into the vacation spot wedding capital. Counseling is something like surgery. The place where the operation is performed is important. In surgery a sterile operating room is used to prevent infection. For maximum effectiveness in counseling, an appropriate place is also advisable.
The place where counseling is done brings with it many subtle influences. Such things as distractions, unhealthy associations with the place of counseling, lack of privacy, immature behavior on the part of the counselor can hinder the therapeutic process.
A wise counselor avoids counseling in inappropriate places like a secluded corner or a parked car. Not only are such locations unprofessional but there are also many distractions. To counsel in such places is indiscreet. Even the most Freudian analyst sees little psychological similarity between foam rubber car seats and the analytical couch!
Closed doors and secret sessions can lead to suspicion and criticism. This is why some pastors take steps to guard against unfavorable gossip. A nearby secretary, a door left ajar or a convenient but not distracting window may assure needed privacy without suspicious seclusiveness.
But what about a private home? This still has some dis-advantages. Toronto Niagara Falls Tour Pageant of Lights marks 4 departures of Cosmos tour. Here, too, there may be distractions. The counselee may remain defensive due to lack of privacy — the danger of being overheard by other family members. Also, the counseling session may be confused with a social situation.