[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":109},["ShallowReactive",2],{"nav-programmes":3,"news-slug-basic-steps-in-counselling-first-response-support":96},[4,11,36,52,59],{"courses":5,"slug":9,"title":10},[6],{"slug":7,"title":8},"mental-health","Graduate Certificate in Mental Health","masters","Masters",{"courses":12,"slug":34,"title":35},[13,16,19,22,25,28,31],{"slug":14,"title":15},"diploma-in-biomedical-science","Diploma in Biomedical Science",{"slug":17,"title":18},"diploma-in-business-administration","Diploma in Business Administration",{"slug":20,"title":21},"diploma-in-digital-media","Diploma in Digital Media",{"slug":23,"title":24},"diploma-in-healthcare-service-management","Diploma in Healthcare Service Management (English & Mandarin)",{"slug":26,"title":27},"diploma-in-individual-support-aging-disability","Diploma in Individual Support (Aging & Disability)",{"slug":29,"title":30},"diploma-in-service-management","Diploma in Service Management",{"slug":32,"title":33},"diploma-in-tourism-and-hospitality-management","Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management","diplomas","Diplomas",{"courses":37,"slug":50,"title":51},[38,41,44,47],{"slug":39,"title":40},"advanced-diploma-in-biomedical-science","Advanced Diploma in Biomedical Science",{"slug":42,"title":43},"advanced-diploma-in-business-administration","Advanced Diploma in Business Administration",{"slug":45,"title":46},"advanced-diploma-in-digital-media","Advanced Diploma in Digital Media",{"slug":48,"title":49},"advanced-diploma-in-tourism-and-hospitality-management","Advanced Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management","advanced-diplomas","Advanced Diplomas",{"courses":53,"slug":57,"title":58},[54],{"slug":55,"title":56},"wsq-higher-certificate-in-healthcare-nursing","WSQ Higher Certificate in Healthcare (Nursing)","wsq-programmes","WSQ Programmes",{"courses":60,"slug":94,"title":95},[61,64,67,70,73,76,79,82,85,88,91],{"slug":62,"title":63},"basic-cardiac-life-support-automated-external-defibrillator-training","(Short Course) Certificate - Basic Cardiac Life Support & Automated External Defibrillator Training",{"slug":65,"title":66},"caregiver-course-singapore","(Short Course) Certificate - Caregiver Course Singapore",{"slug":68,"title":69},"phlebotomy-3-days-course","(Short Course) Certificate - Phlebotomy Course",{"slug":71,"title":72},"certificate-in-aged-care-work","Certificate III in Aged Care Work",{"slug":74,"title":75},"certificate-in-biomedical-science","Certificate in Biomedical Science",{"slug":77,"title":78},"certificate-in-clinic-operations-and-support","Certificate in Clinic Operations & Support",{"slug":80,"title":81},"certificate-in-design-thinking","Certificate in Design Thinking",{"slug":83,"title":84},"certificate-in-hospitality-services","Certificate in Hospitality Services",{"slug":86,"title":87},"certificate-in-patient-engagement-and-health-promotion","Certificate in Patient Engagement & Health Promotion",{"slug":89,"title":90},"certificate-in-service-english","Certificate in Service English",{"slug":92,"title":93},"certificate-of-proficiency-in-english","Certificate of Proficiency in English","certificates","Certificates & Short Courses",{"body":97,"categories":98,"coverHotspot":99,"coverImage":105,"date":106,"description":98,"slug":107,"tags":98,"title":108},"**Basic Steps in Counselling (First Response Support)**\n- Allan Lee, COO, CSM Academy International\n\nI was never formally trained in counselling, but my interest in helping others and genuine empathy led me to study materials, research papers, case studies, and learn through life experiences.\n\nRecently, I met an old friend who is a Social Worker. He asked me an interesting question: How do I approach conversations when people turn to me for help?\n\nIt made me reflect that meaningful support does not always begin with having the perfect answer. More often, it begins with listening, being present, and creating a safe space for someone to speak honestly. Many people carrying stress, anxiety, family pressure, burnout, or emotional pain are not always seeking immediate solutions. Sometimes, they simply need to feel heard without judgment.\n\nHere are the basic steps I usually use whenever someone approaches me for advice:\n\n1. Create a Safe Space – I will suggest a quiet and private place where the person feels comfortable to talk. A calm setting helps them open up.\n\n2. Build Rapport – I will use a calm tone, speak slowly & gently, and show genuine concern. Trust is built when people feel respected and supported.\n\n3. Active Listening – I will listen carefully without interrupting. Acknowledge their emotions along the way with words like, “You are going through a lot.”\n\n4. Understand the Issue – I ask thoughtful questions, I listen more, speak only when necessary, and allow pauses when needed. Silence can help people gather their thoughts.\n\n5. Identify Feelings & Needs – I will confirm whether they are feeling stress, sad, confused, facing fear, or anger. Then understand what they need most — support, clarity, reassurance, or rest.\n\n6. Reflect & Summarise – I will then share back the key points discussed. This helps the person see the issue more clearly.\n\n7. Explore Next Steps – Next I will encourage small, realistic actions that create progress and confidence.\n\n8. Close with Support – Lastly, I will thank them for trusting me. I will encourage them to continue speaking up, and where needed, seek professional support.\n\nThese may not be textbook methods, but they are the principles I have consistently used to help others. Sometimes, the greatest help is not having all the answers — it is being willing to listen with compassion and give someone your full attention.\n\nIf you are facing issues with Career\u002F Work-Life, Personal Well-Being, Post-Trauma or other issues that requires professional counselling, do visit mindsheart.com for a safe and confidential conversation.",null,{"_type":100,"height":101,"width":102,"x":103,"y":104},"sanity.imageHotspot",0.5130697551737649,1,0.5,0.2565348775868824,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.sanity.io\u002Fimages\u002Fl7otvznt\u002Fproduction\u002Fd46345c03fb6be928239efadeb3b1860e2d31a9f-1268x2048.jpg","2026-04-29T02:42:00.000Z","basic-steps-in-counselling-first-response-support","Basic Steps in Counselling (First Response Support)",1785984932942]