LIZ LAULIZ LAU

STUDENT COUNSELLING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICESTUDENT COUNSELLING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICE

OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRSOFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Hurdles Our Students FaceHurdles Our Students Face

Developmental TasksDevelopmental Tasksmanaging change managing change relationship with family relationship with family relationships with peers, the opposite sex, relationships with peers, the opposite sex,

faculty, supervisors, etc. faculty, supervisors, etc. academic and career developmentacademic and career development

normal, transitional; primary & secondary interventionnormal, transitional; primary & secondary intervention

Crisis and TraumaCrisis and Trauma bereavementbereavement, accident, illness, legal problem, family crisis, academic , accident, illness, legal problem, family crisis, academic failurefailure

unexpected, transitional; secondary interventionunexpected, transitional; secondary intervention

Psychopathology and Mental IllnessPsychopathology and Mental Illness personality problem, interpersonal difficulties personality problem, interpersonal difficulties clinical depression, anxiety disorder clinical depression, anxiety disorder

abnormal, chronic or acute; tertiary interventionabnormal, chronic or acute; tertiary intervention

Psychological factors that mediate responses to Psychological factors that mediate responses to life’s hurdleslife’s hurdles

Phase of eventPhase of event

AgeAge

GenderGender

Socioeconomic statusSocioeconomic status

EducationEducation

Family responsibilitiesFamily responsibilities

Previous experiencePrevious experience

Religious or spiritual Religious or spiritual beliefsbeliefs

Expected responseExpected response

Inner Resources - ResilienceInner Resources - Resilience

Relationships, activities & spirituality are linked to build my Relationships, activities & spirituality are linked to build my person & inner resources. The capacity to use these inner person & inner resources. The capacity to use these inner resources is my resources is my RESILIENCE.RESILIENCE.

I CAN

I HAVE

I AM

RESILIE

NCE

Resilience is:Resilience is:• the capacity to manage oneself when the capacity to manage oneself when

faced with difficult circumstances faced with difficult circumstances • the capacity to recover or reboundthe capacity to recover or rebound• the capacity to transform oneself in a the capacity to transform oneself in a

positive waypositive way

When IWhen I fall, I am able to get back up & stand on my feet.fall, I am able to get back up & stand on my feet.

Try to recall a time when you experienced a crisis Try to recall a time when you experienced a crisis

& needed help& needed help

Did someone actually help you?Did someone actually help you?

What was your helper like?What was your helper like?

In what way did your helper help?In what way did your helper help?

Did the helper meet with your expectations?Did the helper meet with your expectations?

Needing HelpNeeding Help

The Ideal HelperThe Ideal Helper Friendly faceFriendly face Discerning eyeDiscerning eye Sympathetic earSympathetic ear Soothing voiceSoothing voice Warm smileWarm smile Comforting shoulderComforting shoulder Open mindOpen mind Genuine heartGenuine heart Steady nervesSteady nerves Helping handHelping hand

Use of Self as a Helping ToolUse of Self as a Helping Tool

composed, approachable, attentive, sincere, understanding, composed, approachable, attentive, sincere, understanding, accepting, responsive, supportive, confident, competent……accepting, responsive, supportive, confident, competent……

Human & vulnerable - has strengths & weaknesses, Human & vulnerable - has strengths & weaknesses, good & bad days, blind-spots & limitationsgood & bad days, blind-spots & limitationsMultiple tasks & competing pressuresMultiple tasks & competing pressuresCan’t be perfect, can expect to make mistakesCan’t be perfect, can expect to make mistakesCan’t offer instant cures & resultsCan’t offer instant cures & resultsWon’t succeed with everyoneWon’t succeed with everyoneCan be anxious about being a helperCan be anxious about being a helperNeed to be self-aware Need to be self-aware Need to be realisticNeed to be realisticNeed to pursue continuous training & personal Need to pursue continuous training & personal developmentdevelopmentNeed to be ready to seek help when necessaryNeed to be ready to seek help when necessary

The Real HelperThe Real Helper

Help-SeekersHelp-Seekers

The girl who was rejected by her boyfriend The girl who was rejected by her boyfriend The boy whose studies had to be terminated The boy whose studies had to be terminated The girl who discovered that her brother is suffering The girl who discovered that her brother is suffering

from mental illnessfrom mental illness The boy who was involved in a legal offenceThe boy who was involved in a legal offence The boy whose brother had committed suicideThe boy whose brother had committed suicide

SymptomsSymptoms

EmotionalEmotional(feelings)(feelings)shock shock anxietyanxietyfearfeargriefgriefanger anger numbnessnumbnessguiltguiltshameshamedepressiondepressionhelplessnesshelplessness

CognitiveCognitive(thinking)(thinking)confusionconfusionindecisivenessindecisivenesspoor concentrationpoor concentrationruminationruminationmental blockmental blockflashbacksflashbacksirrational thoughtsirrational thoughts

PhysicalPhysical(bodily)(bodily)tensiontensionfatiguefatiguesleep disturbancesleep disturbanceloss of appetiteloss of appetiteaches and painsaches and painsself-neglectself-neglectdisruption of daily disruption of daily routineroutine

InterpersonalInterpersonaldependencydependencyirritabilityirritabilitywithdrawalwithdrawalfeeling of feeling of rejectionrejectionaggressionaggressionattention-seekingattention-seeking

SpiritualSpiritual(meaning)(meaning)low self-esteemlow self-esteemwondering whywondering whywhy mewhy mereality is cruelreality is cruellife is meaninglesslife is meaningless

Psychological First AidPsychological First Aid

Doesn’t need highly trained professionalsDoesn’t need highly trained professionalsRestore emotional equilibrium a.s.a.p.Restore emotional equilibrium a.s.a.p.Reduce likelihood of developing subsequent Reduce likelihood of developing subsequent mental health problemsmental health problems

PFA involves immediate, basic, non-intrusive & pragmatic care.PFA involves immediate, basic, non-intrusive & pragmatic care.

Protect Direct ConnectProtect Direct Connect

listening but not forcing talklistening but not forcing talkfacilitating emotional ventilationfacilitating emotional ventilationassessing & meeting basic needs assessing & meeting basic needs being direct, informative, & problem-solving orientedbeing direct, informative, & problem-solving orientedprotecting from further harmprotecting from further harmencouraging but not forcing company from significant othersencouraging but not forcing company from significant othersconnecting to trained health professionals if necessaryconnecting to trained health professionals if necessary

The Counselling ProcessThe Counselling Process

Assessment & ExplorationAssessment & Exploration

EvaluationEvaluation Relationship BuildingRelationship Building Goal SettingGoal Setting

Intervention & ActionIntervention & Action

Major Counselling GoalsMajor Counselling Goals

Facilitate behaviour changeFacilitate behaviour change Enhance coping skillsEnhance coping skills Promote decision makingPromote decision making Improve relationshipsImprove relationships Develop client’s potentialsDevelop client’s potentials

Strengthen Resilience & Rebuild the PersonStrengthen Resilience & Rebuild the Person

Rebuild Rebuild

relationshipsrelationships

Resume Resume

activitiesactivities

Strengthen Strengthen

spiritualityspirituality

Re-establish trust & Re-establish trust & sense of belongingsense of belonging

Rebuild confidence & Rebuild confidence &

competence through activitiescompetence through activities

Rebuild the PersonRebuild the Person

• Rediscover hope in the futureRediscover hope in the future• Make sense or find meaning of what Make sense or find meaning of what

happenedhappened• Find spiritual supportFind spiritual support

I HA

VE

I CAN

I AM

I HAVE

I CAN

I AM

Counselling Tasks - 8 RsCounselling Tasks - 8 Rs

Reach outReach out Attend to physical comforts Attend to physical comforts Establish trust & rapport, engage the person in the Establish trust & rapport, engage the person in the

helping processhelping processReappraiseReappraise Focus on the precipitating event & assess impactFocus on the precipitating event & assess impact Promote objectivity, accurate appraisal & proper Promote objectivity, accurate appraisal & proper

perspectiveperspectiveReleaseRelease Facilitate emotional ventilation Facilitate emotional ventilation Normalize emotional reactionsNormalize emotional reactionsReassureReassure Convey hope but avoid false reassuranceConvey hope but avoid false reassurance Restore sense of control, change role from victim to actorRestore sense of control, change role from victim to actor

Counselling Tasks - 8 RsCounselling Tasks - 8 Rs

Re-educateRe-educate Teach effective coping skillsTeach effective coping skills Develop rational thoughts & beliefsDevelop rational thoughts & beliefs ResolveResolve Resolve inner conflictsResolve inner conflicts Facilitate decision making & crisis resolutionFacilitate decision making & crisis resolutionRebuildRebuild Reinforce personal resources & positive copingReinforce personal resources & positive coping Reaffirm positive self-imageReaffirm positive self-imageReferRefer Direct to other sources of supportDirect to other sources of support Assess need for professional health careAssess need for professional health care

Positive IndicatorsPositive Indicators

Self-perceptionsSelf-perceptionsStop self-deprecation, re-establish sense of self-worthStop self-deprecation, re-establish sense of self-worthEmotional worldEmotional worldVentilate & release negative emotions, understand & accept own Ventilate & release negative emotions, understand & accept own

emotions; pursue positive feelings/experiencesemotions; pursue positive feelings/experiencesThinking Thinking Think rationally & objectively, envisage positive changeThink rationally & objectively, envisage positive changePhysical statePhysical stateTake care of personal needs, ensure physical well-beingTake care of personal needs, ensure physical well-beingBehaviourBehaviourMore focused on active coping, resume normal routine/activitiesMore focused on active coping, resume normal routine/activitiesInterpersonal relationshipsInterpersonal relationshipsResume connection with others, rebuild trust & sense of belongingResume connection with others, rebuild trust & sense of belongingExperiences of the worldExperiences of the worldDevelop greater optimism, increase feeling of control, focus on Develop greater optimism, increase feeling of control, focus on

present & futurepresent & future

The Art of HelpingThe Art of Helping

DON’TS DON’TS Be patronizingBe patronizingGet distracted Get distracted Be insensitiveBe insensitiveIgnore feelingsIgnore feelingsGet emotionalGet emotionalTalk, talk, talkTalk, talk, talkImpose own values & opinionsImpose own values & opinionsBe subjective & judgmentalBe subjective & judgmentalBe defensive & rigidBe defensive & rigidBe negativeBe negativeFocus on assigning blameFocus on assigning blameProvide ready solutionsProvide ready solutionsBecome opponentsBecome opponents

DO’SDO’SBe friendly & considerateBe friendly & considerateBe attentiveBe attentiveBe sensitiveBe sensitiveAcknowledge feelingsAcknowledge feelingsStay calmStay calmListen, listen, listenListen, listen, listenRespect other’s needs & valuesRespect other’s needs & valuesBe empathic & understandingBe empathic & understandingBe open-minded & flexibleBe open-minded & flexibleBe positiveBe positiveFocus on problems & solutionsFocus on problems & solutionsHelp others’ explore options Help others’ explore options Form partnershipForm partnership

Operational Guidelines for Handling Problematic Operational Guidelines for Handling Problematic or Critical Casesor Critical Cases

Operational Guidelines for Handling Suicidal RisksOperational Guidelines for Handling Suicidal Risks

Multifaceted implications – psychological, health, academicMultifaceted implications – psychological, health, academic daily living, familial, etc.daily living, familial, etc.

More than 1 unit/staff involved in case managementMore than 1 unit/staff involved in case managementCross-unit communication & coordination necessaryCross-unit communication & coordination necessaryProvide guiding principles & general operational procedures, Provide guiding principles & general operational procedures,

not universally applicable formulasnot universally applicable formulas

Operational Guidelines

www.cuhk.edu.hk/osa/scdswww.cuhk.edu.hk/osa/scds

1.1. Students’ Seek Help PageStudents’ Seek Help Page

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/content/stdinfo.shtmlhttp://www.cuhk.edu.hk/content/stdinfo.shtml

2.2. Support services for Support services for undergraduate studentsundergraduate students

3. Support services for 3. Support services for postgraduate studentspostgraduate students

Operational Guidelines for Operational Guidelines for Handling Problematic/Critical Handling Problematic/Critical CasesCases

CONTENTCONTENT

4. 3 4. 3 major categories of problems:major categories of problems:

Psychological/psychiatricPsychological/psychiatric

AcademicAcademic

Conduct/disciplinaryConduct/disciplinary

5. General procedures, relevant staff/units involved 5. General procedures, relevant staff/units involved & their responsibilities at different stages& their responsibilities at different stages

6. Case illustrations – flowcharts6. Case illustrations – flowcharts

7. Signs & symptoms of psychological or psychiatric 7. Signs & symptoms of psychological or psychiatric disturbances - detection & referraldisturbances - detection & referral

8. Do’s & Don’ts in initial helping & crisis intervention8. Do’s & Don’ts in initial helping & crisis intervention

Early Detection & InterventionEarly Detection & Intervention

1. 1. Detecting warning signs & symptomsDetecting warning signs & symptoms

2. Assessing risk factors2. Assessing risk factors

3. Assessing the suicidal plan & potential danger3. Assessing the suicidal plan & potential danger

4. Steps in ensuring safety & arranging for treatment4. Steps in ensuring safety & arranging for treatment

5. Operational procedures in handling different scenarios:5. Operational procedures in handling different scenarios:

suicidal risks & suicidal attemptssuicidal risks & suicidal attempts

6. Seek-Help information6. Seek-Help information

7. Important points to note in crisis intervention7. Important points to note in crisis intervention

Operational Guidelines in Operational Guidelines in Handling Suicidal RisksHandling Suicidal Risks

CONTENTCONTENT

When to ReferWhen to Refer

A student asks for help that is beyond your expertise A student asks for help that is beyond your expertise or responsibility.or responsibility.

Helping the student would compromise or change Helping the student would compromise or change your relationship with the student.your relationship with the student.

The student is reluctant to discuss his/her problem The student is reluctant to discuss his/her problem with you.with you.

The help you have provided so far doesn’t seem to The help you have provided so far doesn’t seem to be effective.be effective.

You feel overwhelmed & overly responsible for the You feel overwhelmed & overly responsible for the student’s well-being.student’s well-being.

You & the student have personality differences or You & the student have personality differences or conflicts which cannot be resolved.conflicts which cannot be resolved.

Referrals must be made with the student’s Referrals must be made with the student’s knowledge & consent.knowledge & consent.

Motivating Someone to Seek Professional HelpMotivating Someone to Seek Professional Help

Don’t try to make a referral when a person is too Don’t try to make a referral when a person is too upset or confused.upset or confused.

Suggest in a caring, supportive manner that Suggest in a caring, supportive manner that he/she may benefit from discussing his concerns he/she may benefit from discussing his concerns with a professional helper. with a professional helper.

Reassure the person that personal information Reassure the person that personal information disclosed will be kept confidential under normal disclosed will be kept confidential under normal circumstances.circumstances.

Explain that help-seeking is voluntary and he/she Explain that help-seeking is voluntary and he/she can decide on whether to pursue help based on can decide on whether to pursue help based on the encounter & experience.the encounter & experience.

Be well informed of helping resources available & Be well informed of helping resources available & the necessary referral procedures.the necessary referral procedures.

1.1. Services provided by the Student Counselling & Services provided by the Student Counselling & Development ServiceDevelopment Service

2. Identifying signs & symptoms of disturbance2. Identifying signs & symptoms of disturbance

3.3. Common concerns & problems presented by Common concerns & problems presented by studentsstudents

4.4. Considerations in making referralsConsiderations in making referrals

5.5. Referral form & proceduresReferral form & procedures

6.6. Other support servicesOther support services

Student Counselling & Development ServiceStudent Counselling & Development Service

Guidelines for Making ReferralsGuidelines for Making Referrals

CONTENTCONTENT