The Skilled Helper by Gerard Egan
A Problem-Management Approach to Counselling & Helping
Nov 10, 2008 Christine Fadhley
In The Skilled Helper, Gerard Egan sets out his Problem-Management and opportunity development approach to helping. It is a practical model that can be used by helpers in various roles based on the premise that people who are going through difficulties often, for various reasons, ignore unused opportunities for growth and change.
It also recognizes that mental conditioning may lead to people becoming fixed in negative ways of thinking or acting that are detrimental to their happiness and fulfilment. Gerard Egan is keen that people, as well as using his model retrospectively – i.e. when the problem situation has already arisen – should be able to use the communication skills he describes in his book preventatively.
What is the Problem Management Approach?
Starting with the client’s current situation, the helper first listens to the story and then helps the client to identify any blind spots. Blind spots are things that the client doesn’t recognize about themselves or their situation.
For example a history of poor achievement may be down to a defeatist attitude or a lack of self worth. Such negative self-beliefs can severely limit the client’s ability to move out of their stuck position.
Challenging Negative Self Beliefs
By challenging such negative views clients are helped to develop new and positive perspectives on themselves, others and the world they inhabit. For example, a person whose internal dialogue is self critical or who is prone to “awfulise” situations is helped to see themselves and their situation in a more positive light – moving from “stinkin’ thinkin’ to positive thinking”.
Moving Forward
Clients are encouraged to vizualise the way they would like things to be – the preferred scenario – and then to evaluate ways of moving towards that goal. Setting goals needs to be done carefully taking into account their existing commitments. Goals need to be realistic and achievable so that the client feels motivated by them.
Balance Sheet Method
Clients may find it scary to make decisions. In order to help them with this, they are asked to weigh up the pros and cons of their choices; some choices are realistic and achievable and others may be impossibly difficult to achieve or have harsh consequences. Egan suggests a method where the pros and cons are written down and evaluated in terms of usefulness and acceptability in a sort of balance sheet.
Social Support
Social support refers to other resources that clients can call upon to assist them in achieving their goals. For example, there may be organizations that offer real advice or befriending in order to help with specific problems. Finding that there is a community of people who are going through similar problems can be extremely helpful.
References
The Skilled Helper, Gerard Egan, ISBN 0-534-34948-0
Brooks/Cole Publishing Company
The Skilled Helper
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