You work as a family counsellor for a community service organisation. As a counsellor you are required to see your clients at their own home to offer counselling support. You have been working for quite some time with Lucy, a single mother with 2 kids (boys). However, you have been unable to develop good rapport […]
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Counselling Dilemmas
Counselling Dilemma: An Issue with a Supervisee
You are a counsellor and approved supervisor working in your own private practice. One of your supervisees, Mary, who has been with you for over twelve months, has told you that her sister is going through a lengthy and difficult relationship breakdown. Mary has previously suggested to her sister that she seek counselling but her […]
- March 3, 2011
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues, Supervision
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Counselling Dilemma: A Teenager at Risk of Suicide
Chantelle is 14 and in foster care. Chantelle was removed from her parents’ care at the age of seven and has since had several foster placements. Her last care arrangement ended, one month ago, when her foster family relocated interstate. Child protection workers have found a new foster placement for Chantelle and you have been […]
- February 15, 2011
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- Children & Adolescents, Clinical Mental Health, Counselling Dilemmas, Self-harming & Suicide
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Counselling Dilemma: Issues with a Separated Couple
You are co-facilitating a mediation session for Patricia and Jonathan White (a separated couple in their early 40s, with two children). In your first session, Patricia expresses clear opinions regarding residency arrangements for the children. Patricia is also steadfast in her beliefs about the fair division of assets and cash. Jonathan is equally sure in […]
- October 21, 2010
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues, Relationship & Families
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Counselling Dilemma: Supporting an Anxious Child
Charlotte is 11. She has been brought along to counselling by her mother, Fran. According to Fran, Charlotte has always been a “quiet and shy” girl. Fran remarks that she is not surprised by this as she too was a reserved and anxious child. In recent weeks however, Fran has noticed that Charlotte has become […]
- August 9, 2010
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- Children & Adolescents, Counselling Dilemmas, Relationship & Families
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Counselling Dilemma: A Dominant Male Partner
Marcia, 29 years of age, came to you six weeks ago with issues of poor self-esteem and lack of self worth. She has been married for 8 years to Michael, however in session she speaks little about him and when the conversation turn towards him she quickly tries to change the subject or issue. Although […]
- October 23, 2009
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues, Relationship & Families
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Counselling Dilemma: Two Separate Clients Crossing Paths
You have been retained by a company to counsel a member of staff who is currently on stress leave from her job. During the first session with this person you discover that her immediate supervisor is a private client who has been coming to you for counselling for some time. The staff member tells you […]
- August 26, 2009
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- Counselling Dilemmas
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Counselling Dilemma: A Family “Break-Up”
The client, Helen, is 56 years old. She has been happily married for 32 years to Barry, who works for the local council. Helen and Barry’s first child, a boy, was stillborn. Helen fell pregnant again very quickly to help get over the loss. They now have two adult daughters, Vicky and Sharon. Vicky, the […]
- May 28, 2009
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Relationship & Families
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Counselling Dilemma: A Complex Family Situation
You have been counselling a married couple for several weeks. The couple came to you because of problems they were having in their relationship. During the process you have seen the pair separately at which time you learnt that the husband is only staying with his wife because of their two children. The wife meanwhile […]
- December 4, 2008
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Relationship & Families
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Counselling Dilemma: Child Welfare and Safety
John has been attending counselling sessions for several months seeking help with the difficulties he is finding in dealing with his relationship break-up. He and his partner were together for ten years and have two children, a boy aged 9 and a girl aged 7. John has access to them every other weekend and for […]
- September 8, 2008
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- Children & Adolescents, Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues
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Counselling Dilemma: A Client Who Tells Offensive Jokes
You have a client of the opposite sex who is coming to see you weekly about problems with family and social relationships. He/she has been attending sessions with you for two months and seems likely to be a long-term client. Although initially very quiet and reluctant to discuss issues, you have succeeded in gaining his/her […]
- August 8, 2008
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues
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Counselling Dilemma: A Client Who Feels Depressed
Melody has come for counselling to deal with the death of her husband. You have been counselling her for four weeks and in that time Melody has reported that she feels “depressed”. In addition, she complains of being constantly tired and lacking motivation to do simple tasks such as showering and cooking for herself. As […]
- February 19, 2008
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- Clinical Mental Health, Counselling Dilemmas, Stress Management
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Counselling Dilemma: A Highly Stressed Client
A client comes to you having had to quit work due to a degenerative visual impairment. He has a 3 year-old child and his wife is expecting another baby. His sight may continue to deteriorate or it may remain at the current level. He is suffering stress, feelings of grief and loss and anxiety about […]
- November 24, 2007
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Disability Issues, Ethics & Legal Issues, Stress Management
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Counselling Dilemma: Risk of Paedophilia
You have been counselling a client in relation to her recent separation and divorce. The client and her husband are currently pursuing custody of their two small children through the courts. Your client is living with her children in their family home, whilst her ex-husband is staying with family friends. The house is going on […]
- October 15, 2007
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Relationship & Families
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Counselling Dilemma: A Multicultural Issue in a Relationship
An Asian couple has been referred to a counsellor for marriage guidance. The impact of migrating to Australia has taken its toll on their relationship. In the session, the husband seems quite controlled and reserved, whereas the wife cries often but says little. The counsellor is a novice in the area of multicultural difference, but […]
- September 12, 2007
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- Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues, Multicultural Issues, Relationship & Families
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