C.A.R.E. from First Meeting to Care Plan

Counseling Skills and Tools

C.A.R.E. stands for Connect, Assess, Respond, Encourage, and it structures a counseling relationship from the first meeting to a working care plan. This course teaches you to recognize which stage a conversation is in, gather a person's life story, and build a care plan you can adjust when new information surfaces. You will practice on a composite case.

1.5 hours

16 units

3 sections

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What You'll Work Through

Each unit is a conversation, not a page to read. The tutor asks you to explain, apply, and work with the material until it holds.

Chapter 1: The C.A.R.E. Model and Reading the Conversation

Section 1.1: Orienting to C.A.R.E.

C.A.R.E. stands for Connect, Assess, Respond, Encourage
C.A.R.E. is a guideline for discernment, not a rigid formula or script
The Truth-and-Love C.A.R.E. model contrasts with legalistic and licentious distortions

Section 1.2: Recognizing Which Stage You Are In

The four C.A.R.E. stages and what each one is for
Reading the cues that tell you which stage a conversation is in
Matching your next move to the stage you are in

Chapter 2: Connecting and Drawing Out the Heart

Section 2.1: Connect with Compassion

The C in C.A.R.E. means Connect before you correct
The three essentials to connecting deeply: be vertical, intentional, and vulnerable
In the Connect stage, set expectations early and create a place of no condemnation

Section 2.2: Assess Using the Life Story P's

The Life Story P's as an assessment lens for the Assess stage of C.A.R.E.
People and Patterns: tracing relationships and recurring heart themes
Passions and Problems: connecting desires to the fruit they produce

Chapter 3: Responding, Encouraging, and Building the Care Plan

Section 3.1: Respond and Encourage

Respond with grace and truth by going gently, going back to go forward, going vertical, and going for the heart
Encourage by anchoring the counselee in God's Word and authentic community with heart-targeting growth assignments

Section 3.2: Constructing and Reassessing the Care Plan

Building a Care Plan from the Life Story P's and Fruit to Root
Reassessing the Care Plan When New Information Surfaces