This unit builds upon the essential elements of the counselling relationship learnt in the Introduction to Counselling unit by focusing on the skills required for counselling practice. The unit emphasises the role of counsellors in using skills to make contact with their individual clients, to help them feel understood, and to clarify the major issues that trouble clients who present themselves for counselling. At the same time, the theories and assumptions underlying different skills are explored and assessed. Students are given opportunities to practice, apply and integrate a range of skills and strategies at an introductory level and at different stages of counselling relationship with self-awareness and awareness of the counsellor-client dynamics of the relationship in stages. Topics: + The Counsellor-client Relationship + Self-awareness and the counsellor-client relationship + Connecting with clients + Understanding client concerns + Clarifying presenting Problems