From: Scott Yaruss
Date: 10/11/00
Time: 9:35:27 AM
Remote Name: 128.147.90.204
Hi Lynn -- Thanks for the kind words. Yes, this stuff does take practice, and I find that I make mistakes all the time...it's the process of evaluating those mistakes that helps us improve our skills, so I was glad you mentioned that in your post.
Many times, clinicians will feel like what they are doing is not "natural" because they are applying counseling "techniques..." I tell them that these microskills may initially feel unnatural to apply, but over time, they become incorporated into your overall means of communicating with the client (and with other people), and along the way, they become more natural. Again, practice is the key.
Thanks for your thoughts! S