2.2. Describe how to agree objectives for a new helping relationship

Agreeing on objectives for a new helping relationship is a foundational step which sets the tone for effective support and positive outcomes. This process involves collaboration between the helper – for example, a counsellor, mentor, or support worker – and the person seeking help, often referred to as the helpee or client. Clear, mutually agreed objectives give direction, create structure, and enhance trust so that the helping relationship is purposeful and beneficial to the individual. This response has been developed from key principles and practical guidance from health and counselling education resources.

Understanding the Purpose of Objectives in Helping Relationships

Objectives are the specific goals that the helpee wants to achieve from the helping relationship. These may range from resolving specific issues – for instance, anxiety management or improvement in communication skills – to wider aspirations such as gaining confidence or bringing a sense of balance in life. The objective agreed upon early on in the relationship helps to clarify for the helpee what may be expected and provides the helper with the right direction.

Steps to Agree Objectives for a New Helping Relationship

1. Establish a Safe and Welcoming Environment

The process involves establishing a helping relationship that gives the helpee a sense of safety, comfort, and respect. This will allow the helpee to be open about his or her needs and expectations. The helper tries to develop rapport and establish trust at the outset through active listening, empathy, and a non-judgemental attitude. The environment encourages open dialogue about what the helpee hopes to achieve.?

2. Open Communication and Exploration of Needs

The helper begins an open discussion aimed at understanding what brings the helpee to seek help and what they want to achieve from the helping process. Open-ended questions like "What has brought you here today?" or "What would you like to get from these sessions?" invite the helpee to express their concerns, feelings, and goals. This stage allows both parties to understand the helpee's perspective, underlying issues, and priorities.

Clarifying questions can take both the helper and helpee further into the helpee's situation to discover underlying needs and motivations of the helpee. It is also important in reflecting on the experiences of the helpee for the identification of realistic and relevant objectives.?

3. Collaboratively Set SMART Objectives

Once the needs are identified, the helper and helpee collaborate in stipulating objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound – what many refer to as SMART objectives. SMART objectives ensure clarity and feasibility, thereby making it easier to monitor progress or evaluate success. Rather than a vague goal such as "feel better", an example of a SMART objective would be "develop and apply three anxiety-coping strategies within three months".

The involvement of the helpee in setting objectives increases their likelihood of ownership and motivation to work for those objectives. Partnership respects the helpee's autonomy and therefore empowers him or her.?

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4. Negotiate and Reach Mutual Agreement

Objectives should be agreed upon through negotiation so that both the needs of the helpee and the capacity and boundaries of the helper are respected. At times, the goals presented by the helpee might be impracticable or too many; thus, prioritisation and compromise have to take place.

The helper takes into consideration available time, resources, and ethical boundaries, all while helping the helpee focus on the most important objectives. This negotiation may include breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable steps or adjusting expectations. Agreement solidifies a shared commitment to the goals and clarifies each party's role in working towards them.?

5. Document the Agreed Objectives

Writing down the objectives provides a clear reference for both parties. This documentation helps maintain focus during the relationship, supports accountability, and enables progress tracking. Both the helper and helpee can review and adjust objectives as needed during the course of the relationship to reflect changes or achievements.?

6. Regular Review and Flexibility

Agreements on objectives are not fixed; they require periodic review to assess progress, address challenges, and modify goals if circumstances change. This helps the helping relationship to be relevant and responsive to the changing needs of the helpee. It also maintains motivation and increases collaboration.?

Why Agreeing Objectives is Crucial

Agreeing on objectives provides structure to the helping relationship and ensures that time spent together is purposeful. This avoids misunderstandings, allows the management of expectations, and enhances outcomes by providing both parties with a view of what success will look like. But it also respects the helpee's agency and builds a helpful partnership based on trust and clarity.

For instance, where a client presenting with anxiety agrees on objectives focused on learning ways of coping and reducing anxiety step by step, then both the helper and client can direct sessions towards measurable steps taken and celebrate progress. Without agreed objectives, sessions might lack direction and hence be less effective.

Conclusion

In summary, agreeing on objectives for a new helping relationship involves a collaborative and thoughtful process tied to open communication, exploration of needs, setting SMART goals, negotiation, documentation, and regular review. Well-agreed objectives give guidance on the helping process, providing clear focus for both helper and helpee. Such collaboration will promote trust, empowerment, and measurable progress in a more successful and meaningful helping relationship.