Читать книгу Theory and Practice of Couples and Family Counseling - James Robert Bitter - Страница 81

Families that are suffering often come to counseling seeking a quick solution to their problems. They are hoping that a wise counselor will give them some advice or direction that will change their lives and make things better. Such a wish can be very seductive to a new family practitioner. After all, many of us approach this work with the hope that we can help people, make a difference in their relationships, and set them on a course that will lead to greater harmony and happiness.

The paradox is that advice, when it is useful at all, is more easily accepted when it comes from someone who is older and has the kind of life experiences that suggest wisdom—and these are the very people who are less prone to dispensing advice. I am not saying that advice should never be given: This chapter is loaded with advice. Nor am I saying that suggestions and directives are inappropriate. They all have their place depending on the models from which you choose to work. This is just a caution: When you are first getting started, be careful with interventions based on giving advice. Giving advice is not the same as counseling.