Self-learning
Unit 2 – Basic Clearing
Basic Clearing is an assessment tool to obtain a holistic overview of a person’s life situation and to see where and to what extent there is a need for counselling in relation to a specific goal.
Basic Clearing can be a starting point for the counselling approach of EJO4Youth or it can also be used as an intensive counselling instrument at any point in a longer counselling process. People can visualise very clearly in which areas of life they feel safe and in which they do not, in relation to their goal.
With this intervention, people can also work out initial ideas for possible solutions, or if there are indications of topics for further counselling processes. This counselling processes can be carried out with the other interventions of the EJO4Youth approach, detailed in the upcoming units.
Knowledge
Learners know how to:
- explain the benefits and name the goal of working with “Basic Clearing”
- describe the methodology and to work efficiently with the “Basic Clearing” concept
- work independently with their clients on goal clarification
- use the material to guide their clients through this important first step of the counselling process
Skills
Learners are able to:
- act independently to help their clients define their individual goals by encouraging them to choose symbols for the relevant aspects
- support the client in developing an action plan
- conduct the counselling interview independently, to be able to determine together with the client the level of counselling required after the “Basic Clearing”
Competences
Learners have the competence to:
- independently prepare and structure the “Basic Clearing Process” in order to guide clients through this process professionally using the material
- actively initiate sessions with other practitioners/colleagues to practice the method, to exchange experiences and to inform each other about results.
Basic Clearing
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The materials
Workpad
The work pad is structured like an atom, with a goal at the center and relevant aspects of the person’s live surrounding it. These relevant aspects of life can be adapted to the client’s situation. For example, the areas of ‘education & training’ and ‘work/volunteer experience’ could be combined, and other field like ‘leisure’ or similar can be added.
It is also possible to write the goal and the aspects of life on round papers. In the counselling session on the following picture, the client experienced the flexibility with the moving areas of life as very pleasant, as she could also make changes in the arrangement. The new arrangement was very helpful in developing the solution ideas.
Symbols
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3 different sticks
3 different sticks with the meaning of “solid ground”, “thick ice”, and “thin ice”.
- Solid ground: Feeling stable and safe.
- Thick ice: Feeling somewhat stable and safe but some areas are unsure.
- Thin ice: Very unsure of the area.
Relevant aspects must be adapted to the person ‘s situation and could be:
- Living
- Support
- Health
- Education
- Work/ volunteer experience
- What else?
- Free time
- Values ….
As a rule, we determine six relevant aspects with the client. Please always use the aspect ‘what else?’ as this is often used to refer to special and important things or things not covered in the 6 aspects.
Some aspects need to be explained: for example “living” stands for:
- How satisfied are you with your housing situation?
- How reliable and predictable is it?
The area of “Support” refers to support from family, friends, the support system or other people in your private or professional life.
Process of counselling with the Basic Clearing
- Presentation of the intervention
- Starting point: Goal setting
- Choosing symbols for each aspect
- Evaluate each aspect
- Counselling session – clarifying their concerns
Step 1 – Presentation of the intervention
The EJO4Youth practitioner explains the intervention to the client: the idea, the material and the counselling steps.
Have you read all the content of Unit 2 and understood everything? Then you can continue with Unit 23