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Psychological Science: Counseling Essay (Theory of Counseling)

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Introduction

Theory of counseling, counseling psychology, values in counseling.

Counselling generally refers to the provision of assistance or guidance that eventually helps solve personal, social or mental problems. A professional individual typically administers it. It usually takes a number of forms, including individual counselling, group counselling, and couples counselling. The goal of individual counselling is to help one make better decisions, improve one’s relationship with others, and generally help one understand oneself in order to be able to make healthy changes. However, group therapy helps an individual to comprehend their emotions and transform problem behaviours with the help of others (Seikkula, 2019). This essay about counseling can help reveal and understand the prospects for using various techniques in the process of helping clients.

Counselling may be beneficial in a number of ways. It can make one have a better understanding of things that help in getting new skills to manage themselves better. Through the help of the counsellor, individuals can respond to problems from different perspectives. Sharing thoughts can exceptionally be helpful in changing one’s life, and that is what counselling is all about. There are important aspects of counselling that make its usage effective. One of these aspects is confidentiality; this means that a counsellor is, by ethics, required to treat all the information that a client shares as confidential material (Avasthi et al., 2022). Another important aspect is the counselling process; this depends on the individual counsellor and client and the urgency of the issue in question. However, the general process to be followed includes collecting background information, identifying key issues, case development, setting goals for therapy, implementation of intervention and evaluation. An important research question of this essay is, “How will counseling help you get through with your problems?”

Theories of counselling vary and mainly depend on the views of different writers. The ones reviewed include client-centred, holistic health, learned optimism, cognitive behavioural, solution-focused and existential. In client-centred counselling, the client is motivated to discover things and develop as a result of the guidance and climate that the counsellor provides. In this type of counselling, the standard features include active listening, acceptance, truthfulness and empathy (Bayliss-Conway et al., 2021). Holistic health, on the other hand, stresses the importance of physical well and emotional, social, vocational and spiritual needs. If these are ignored, then individuals will easily succumb to stress, which can affect their well-being.

There is a type of counselling practice that allows for interaction between the client and the counsellor. This method makes it possible to discuss successful moments that have occurred in the past or in the present (Bayliss-Conway et al., 2021). This form of counselling is referred to as learned optimism counselling. This also allows them to address the problems that should be anticipated in the present and the future. It involves having a positive mind and usually directs an individual on how things can turn out.

Cognitive behavioural therapy, also referred to as the ABC method, can be described as any form of therapy that is based on the belief in one’s thoughts and that is typically directly connected to the way one feels. In this type of scenario, there usually is what is referred to as the activating event, where the client draws their interpretations. This makes it possible for clients to believe in the ideas conveyed by the consultant (Reid et al., 2021). This typically leads to different consequences concerning the outcome of the event. Thus, this form of therapy helps clients identify distorted thinking that causes emotional problems and helps solve them.

Solution-focused therapy typically focuses on the outcomes; this means that the primary goal is focused towards achieving what the client wants through the use of therapy rather than the cause that made them seek therapy. This kind of approach focuses on the present and future, and the client is customarily advised to focus on the future and how it has changed (De Shazer et al., 2021). The existential approach is simply based on the presence of individuals in a therapy session and the reason why they are there in the first place. This means that if a client knows the reason why he/she is in therapy, then it will enable them to face the challenges that come along swiftly.

Counselling and psychology are interrelated; the use of psychological principles to overcome different problems is facilitated through counselling. Therefore, counselling psychology is a specialty that brings together research and applied work to achieve broad areas. The counselling process, outcome, supervision, and training are critical components in establishing preventive recovery pathways (DeBlaere et al., 2019). Some unique features of counselling psychology include the focus on people, environment interaction and impact personalities. Psychologists get the answers to people’s behaviours through counselling.

Psychologists are generally interested in finding answers through the counselling process and outcomes, in which, through the process, they get to ask questions, and the outcome will determine whether the process was effective and successful. In this process, the psychologist uses specific techniques. One of the main and most common ones can be called client and cultural variables (DeBlaere et al., 2019). Therapist variables and mechanisms of change are also included.

Therapist variables include the traits of a counsellor, theoretical orientation and behaviour. Following clearly established models of therapeutic intervention can have significant positive effects on patients (DeBlaere et al., 2019). Client variables, on the other hand, include certain things, such as seeking support from other people and further attachment to them (DeBlaere et al., 2019). This has been very useful in counselling. Stigma from mental illness motivates people to accept the fact that they have problems and make them seek help. Self-stigma is a condition that affects the individual’s perspective towards counselling, and this causes such an individual to require intervention.

Attachment style can be viewed in different ways. Those clients with avoidant styles may believe that counselling is not able to have any positive effect on their condition (Moradi et al., 2023). However, securely attached ones react differently. They perceive counselling to be incredibly beneficial. These kinds of individuals seek such professional help. Anxious attachment is said to perceive much importance as well as risks to counselling; thus, providing education about expectations of counselling can change clients’ attitudes tremendously.

Counselling relationship, as referred to in counselling psychology, refers to the feeling that a client and a therapist have towards each other and the way in which they are expressed. This kind of relationship may fall into three categories: countertransference, working alliance and personal relationship (Moradi et al., 2023). The secure base hypothesis is a theory concerning the function of counselling and is typically related to attachment theory; this enables the client to have a reference point.

Counselling psychologists use different approaches. They incorporate things such as cultural variables in counselling practices. They relate such aspects with the processes and results arrived at during counselling. Recent studies show that black clients are at risk of racial discrimination from white counsellors. Counsellors must have experience working with a variety of people in order to effectively deal with their characteristics and personal problems (Moradi et al., 2023). Counselling outcomes typically look at different symptoms, such as specific disorders and behaviour changes. Positive outcomes like quality of life form a basis of life-satisfaction measure reports.

One of the various quantitative methods includes conducting correlation studies. This is applied in the counselling course and during clinical trials. They also apply during the actual process of counselling and the studies on the processes of counselling and the outcomes. On the other hand, qualitative methods involve conducting, translating, and coding therapy sessions. In practical terms, one sees that counselling can delve into aspects such as emotion, personality and interpersonal relationships (DeBlaere et al., 2019). It, thus, can relate to different kinds of settings in a population, like community mental health settings and in-patient clients on drug abuse. In a community mental health setting, there are different individuals who suffer from all sorts of mental breakdown illnesses.

Counselling helps in making them understand the core reason behind their mental breakdown and possibly helps them deal with the fears that relate to it; the end results depend typically on the attitude of patients and their response to therapy during these counselling sessions. Different settings, thus, have different counselling approaches and also depend on the technicality of the given situation. Client variables normally help a lot during some sessions as they represent a deeper understanding of the current situation (DeBlaere et al., 2019). An in-patient on drug abuse, for example, may not derive much benefit from counselling if he does not accept that he/she has a problem, the problem has had a significant effect on his/her life, and finally, the problem can be fixed.

It is important to note, therefore, that counselling can only work where a client is willing to participate; commonly, psychology can be used to gain this will. Counselling, in essence, is a profession that is highly dependent on the needs of clients and their personalities. The counsellor’s approach should be unique from session to session and depend on how the client responds to the therapist’s questions and actions (DeBlaere et al., 2019). On other occasions, counsellors influence decision-making in individuals. This way, they influence the kind of decisions the clients make. Some of their decisions may change their lives completely.

Values in counselling introduce us to the various theoretical perspectives of psychology that can be used in counselling. The question of this study is to find out how counselling will help you get through your problems. There are various theoretical perspectives in psychology that are commonly referred to as paradigms. They include behavioural, biological, cognitive, humanistic, social, Freudian, and developmental. Focusing on the developmental perspective, its information processing, and developmental approaches as a discipline brings us to the approaches that can be applied in counselling (DeBlaere et al., 2019). There are three basic approaches currently under debate. They include information processing, life span development, and developmental approaches.

The approach under investigation was based on the concept of irrational beliefs, concepts of feelings and behaviour. The counsellors may incorporate therapy in the session and combine it with behaviour. This way, the counsellor personalizes the therapy session. How an individual feels and reacts to such feelings is the first step in knowing that something is not correct, and that can further lead to reasoning and, thus, the decision that motivates them to seek counselling. With these considerations, counselling appears as a link between the individual’s way of thinking and his/her behaviour. Feelings of sadness or anxiety can significantly predetermine a person’s behaviour in public life and their reactions to any aspects of society (Chita-Tegmark & Scheutz, 2021). Behaviour is usually motivated to result in a change in the human mind. When one’s response is based on false emotions, then negative and possibly harmful results will be achieved.

Negative behaviour may sometimes be the reason that individuals or groups in a therapy session realize the need for change. Proper guidance is one of the critical aspects that must be complemented by the ability to identify the client’s emotional state and behavioural patterns (Chita-Tegmark & Scheutz, 2021). This may lead towards finding out what the problem is with a particular individual or a group or may enable proper interpretation of events that led to therapy.

When a counsellor discovers the behaviour in an individual is no longer functioning, it may be a good indicator for assessing the things that the individual now believes in and thus, emotional health can be regained through removing the negative thoughts and distortions and trying to give them emotional and personality balance. Behavioural response as a perspective in counselling can provide a significant impact on the change process of an individual or a group. A behavioural perspective in interactions with clients during consultations can influence the achievement of trusting relationships between people (Seikkula, 2019). Usually, clients who decide to go for counselling have different problems they are aware of but need the help of a therapist to be able to identify the core reason as to why they cannot solve it.

Counselling can show that the initial stages of the client-counsellor relationship can be a bit difficult, but as the clients’ emotions and behaviour exhibit themselves, the counsellor will gain insight that will enable him/her to understand the client more and, thus, improve their relationship. Thus, it is crucial for the therapist to identify specific behavioural traits that are characteristic of the client and on which work can be concentrated (De Shazer et al., 2021). The positive ones help in improving the client’s self-esteem in the time when he/she seems to be having a mental breakdown that is related to the problem he/she is facing.

Exploring this perspective enhances the buildup of a therapy case before and in the course of counselling. The individual most often has no knowledge of the kind of issues that need to be addressed if he/she goes to counselling, but he/she knows that something is not right in the environment he lives in or that he/she has a problem that needs to be addressed. Distinguishing between the types of emotions experienced by the client is critical for the therapist in the initial stages as this will lay the foundation for further cooperation (Avasthi et al., 2022). In later stages of counselling and as the counsellor and the client relationship is built up, the counsellor may uncover the thought that leads to disruptive behaviour and feelings. It is the counsellor’s role in this perspective to identify and respond to them so as to restore an individual functional system.

Counselling is meant to consider the entire characteristic that an individual exhibits when he/she enters counselling; a counsellor, through knowledge of these traits like behaviour and feeling, will be challenged to uncover the client’s beliefs that are the cause of their actions. This can help create a more personalized process aimed at demonstrating people’s focus on their thoughts and ideas (Reid et al., 2021). The kind of behaviour that an individual exhibits during counselling sessions will either work positively for the client or not. If a client exhibits behaviour aimed at changing the painful experiences and helps him or them work on his/her feelings like anger, then this will be of great significance in making this individual a healthy and positive person.

In essence, counselling will make the individual understand and appreciate the reward that he/she achieved because of counselling. There are different approaches employed in counselling psychology. They differ in terms of therapy and the basic concepts. One of them is the behavioural perspective. This is comparable to the rest but also differs in various aspects. A comparison between the behavioural and cognitive perspectives revealed a key difference in the approach to problem-solving through psychoanalytic theory and practice methods, respectively (DeBlaere et al., 2019). The Freudian perspective works towards changing an individual’s personality and character through using childhood experiences. Cognitive and behavioural perspectives usually produce a change in a group or individual in a short period.

Theoretical perspectives differ in scope and applicability. Some can be used to solve crime cases as well as real-life dilemmas. There are various theories and approaches that can be combined with the perspectives discussed to help consultants gain a broader perspective and understanding of clients’ understandings (DeBlaere et al., 2019). In this way, a conducive and harmonious counselling environment can be created that will enhance the process to achieve results faster. It will also allow the client to recognize the impact that counselling has had on their life.

A compiled essay about counselling has shown it is quite a broad and diverse subject; it shares most subject matters, especially concerning psychology as a discipline in terms of emotion, behavior, personality, attention and perception. It usually provides an opportunity for individuals to express themselves where no one seems to agree with what they have to say; this is the basis and direction in which most individuals’ dysfunctional problems are solved today. Counselling has had tremendous results over the past in solving cases, and, as an expert, counselling psychology is one of the most effective tools in handling mental breakdown; the results of its usage in the modern world have become very effective over the years.

The counselling essay format provided a comprehensive review of the main aspects of this process and the key elements necessary for success. The study of counselling and, in broad terms, psychology have also been criticized by different philosophers of science; some say it is a soft science lacking the fundamental concepts and effectiveness like mature sciences such as physics and chemistry. Some say that it is not objective. They argue that the phenomena used by psychologists, like personality and emotion, cannot be measured directly and that they are often subjective in nature. The critical thing to note is that its usage in real-life situations has proven to be very successful.

Avasthi, A., Grover, S., & Nischal, A. (2022). Ethical and legal issues in psychotherapy. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 64 (Suppl 1), 1-27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9122134/

Bayliss-Conway, C., Price, S., Murphy, D., & Joseph, S. (2021). Client-centred therapeutic relationship conditions and authenticity: a prospective study. B ritish Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 49 (5), 637-647. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2020.1755952

Chita-Tegmark, M., & Scheutz, M. (2021). Assistive robots for the social management of health: a framework for robot design and human–robot interaction research. International Journal of Social Robotics, 13 (2), 197-217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-020-00634-z

De Shazer, S., Dolan, Y., Korman, H., Trepper, T., McCollum, E., & Berg, I. K. (2021). More than miracles: The state of the art of solution-focused brief therapy . Routledge.

DeBlaere, C., Singh, A. A., Wilcox, M. M., Cokley, K. O., Delgado-Romero, E. A., Scalise, D. A., & Shawahin, L. (2019). Social justice in counseling psychology: Then, now, and looking forward. The Counseling Psychologist, 47 (6), 938-962. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000019893283

Moradi, B., Brewster, M. E., Grzanka, P. R., & Miller, M. J. (2023). The hidden curriculum of academic writing: Toward demystifying manuscript preparation in counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 70 (2), 119-132. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/cou0000650

Reid, J. E., Laws, K. R., Drummond, L., Vismara, M., Grancini, B., Mpavaenda, D., & Fineberg, N. A. (2021). Cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 106 , 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152223

Seikkula, J. (2019). Psychosis is not illness but a survival strategy in severe stress: a proposal for an addition to a phenomenological point of view. Psychopathology, 52 (2), 143-150. https://doi.org/10.1159/000500162

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Guidance Counselor: Your Go-To Resource for Academic Success

Navigating the twists and turns of adolescence can be a complex journey. That’s where guidance counselors come in, serving as an indispensable resource for students during these transformative years. They wear many hats – from academic advisor to mental health advocate, they’re there to support every aspect of a student’s life.

Guidance counselors have a significant role in our educational system, often being the first line of defense when it comes to spotting mental health issues or academic struggles. They’re trained professionals who understand the unique challenges that today’s youth face – whether it’s peer pressure, family issues, or just figuring out what career path might be right.

Given their vital function in schools, it’s imperative we understand what exactly a guidance counselor does and why they are such an essential part of education. As I delve into the world of guidance counseling with you, we’ll explore their responsibilities, how they impact students’ lives and why they’re critical to our modern education system.

Understanding the Role of a Guidance Counselor

It’s often been said that guidance counselors are the unsung heroes of our education system. Behind the scenes, they’re helping students navigate their academic and personal lives, shaping futures one student at a time. But what exactly does a guidance counselor do? Let’s delve into this critical role.

First off, guidance counselors wear many hats. They’re part teacher, part mentor, and part friend. Their main mission is to guide students towards success in their educational journey. This could mean discussing course selections for high school students grappling with decisions about college or careers – or even helping elementary kids handle social issues on the playground.

Guidance counselors also play an essential role in crisis intervention. When there’s trouble brewing – be it bullying, family issues, mental health concerns – you’ll find these professionals stepping up to provide support and resources for those affected.

Additionally, they’re often tasked with identifying learning difficulties or behavioral problems that could hinder a student’s progress. By working closely with teachers and parents, they can help devise strategies aimed at improving performance both inside and outside the classroom.

Here are some key stats about guidance counselors:

In essence, being a guidance counselor isn’t just about guiding someone academically; it’s about supporting them emotionally as well. These professionals offer invaluable advice from kindergarten through high school graduation and beyond – truly making an impact on countless young lives each day.

Education and Training Requirements for Guidance Counselors

When I consider the educational path to becoming a guidance counselor, it’s clear that it requires a substantial commitment. At minimum, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or another related field. However, most states require guidance counselors to hold a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field.

There’s more to it than just earning your degrees though. Most states also mandate that aspiring guidance counselors complete an internship or practicum as part of their master’s program. This hands-on experience usually involves working under the supervision of an experienced counselor within a school setting. It can be demanding but is often seen as invaluable preparation for the role.

In addition to education and practical experience, licensing is another crucial component on this journey. Almost all states require public school counselors to have some type of certification or license. These requirements can vary between states; however, they generally involve passing an exam and completing continuing education courses periodically.

Here are some key points:

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work or similar is necessary.
• Most states require a master’s degree.
• Real-world training via internships/practicum is typically mandated.
• Nearly all states demand public school counselors be certified/licensed.

Getting there isn’t easy but if you’re dedicated and passionate about helping students navigate through their academic and personal challenges – it could be one fulfilling career choice!

Daily Responsibilities of a Guidance Counselor

When it comes to the hustle and bustle of a school day, there’s often one unsung hero at the heart of it all. I’m talking about the guidance counselor. With their wide range of responsibilities and their crucial role in students’ lives, they’re an integral part of any educational institution.

Let’s start by breaking down what a typical day might look like for these professionals. It’s not uncommon for them to begin with individual counseling sessions. These can involve discussing academic progress, mental health concerns, or even future career plans with students. They’re there to provide support and advice when students are faced with tough decisions or challenging circumstances.

Aside from these one-on-one meetings, guidance counselors also work on program development within schools. This includes designing initiatives aimed at improving student well-being, organizing workshops on topics like stress management or study skills, and coordinating with other staff members to implement these programs effectively.

In addition to this hands-on work with students and program development tasks, they also have administrative duties that need attending to. These can vary widely but might include maintaining student records, analyzing data on student achievement and behavior patterns, and reporting this information as needed.

Collaborating closely with teachers is another key task in their daily routine. Together, they strategize how best to foster positive learning environments for all pupils – whether that involves addressing classroom issues or brainstorming interventions for struggling students.

Lastly (but certainly not least), guidance counselors play a pivotal role in crisis intervention within schools. From dealing with bullying incidents or personal emergencies that affect a student’s ability to learn effectively – it’s up them ensure safety and wellbeing remain paramount above all else.

In summary:

• Individual counseling
• Program development
• Administrative tasks
• Collaboration with teachers
• Crisis intervention

These are just some examples – every day can bring new challenges and opportunities for these dedicated professionals!

Significance of Ethics in Counseling Practice

Ethics play a pivotal role in counseling practice. They’re the backbone, offering guidance to counselors on how to approach and handle delicate situations ethically. Without them, there’s potential for harm to both the counselor and their clients.

Consider confidentiality, one of the core values in counseling ethics. It’s a promise that I’ll keep a client’s information private unless consent is given or if there’s an imminent threat of harm. This ethical standard fosters trust between me and my clients – they know they can bare their souls without fear of judgment or exposure .

Next, let’s talk about dual relationships – another key ethical consideration that guides me as a counselor. It stipulates I shouldn’t be involved with my clients beyond our professional relationship. For instance, becoming friends or entering into business partnerships with my clients is off-limits. This rule ensures objectivity isn’t compromised and it helps avoid conflicts of interest.

Now let’s delve into informed consent: another cornerstone of ethics in counseling practice. Before starting any form of therapy, it’s important I clearly outline what my client should expect during sessions – this includes potential risks and benefits as well as their rights as a client.

I also strive for competence – an ethical guideline requiring counselors like myself to continually seek personal growth and professional development so we can best serve our clients’ needs.

• Confidentiality: Ensuring privacy
• Dual Relationships: Avoiding conflicts of interest
• Informed Consent: Providing clear expectations
• Competence: Pursuing continual growth

In essence, practicing ethically doesn’t just protect me; it safeguards my clients’ welfare too – making ethics undeniably critical in every counseling session.

The Impact of Guidance Counselors on Student Success

I’ve always believed in the profound influence a guidance counselor can have on a student’s academic journey. They’re not just random figures in the hallway; they’re vital cogs in the education machinery, playing an instrumental role in shaping students’ futures.

Guidance counselors wear many hats – they act as mentors, advisors, advocates, and sometimes even friends to students. It’s their task to guide students through high school triumphs and trials alike while also helping them plan for life beyond graduation.

Let me share some data that underscores this point. Consider these statistics:

These numbers aren’t trivial – they attest to the significant impact guidance counselors can make.

Being tuned into students’ emotional health is another crucial part of a guidance counselor’s job. In times of personal crisis or mental health struggles, it’s often the guidance counselors who step up to provide support and resources. Their work aids not only academic success but also fosters overall well-being.

Finally, don’t forget about all those college applications! From giving advice on course selection to writing recommendation letters and providing scholarship information – it’s clear that without this help from guidance counselors, navigating post-high school plans could be significantly more challenging.

So next time you spot your guidance counselor at school or remember them from your high school days, appreciate how pivotal their role was (or still is) in contributing to your success story!

Guidance Counseling Techniques and Approaches

Diving right into the core of guidance counseling, it’s essential to understand various techniques and approaches that counselors employ. One prominent method is solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). In this approach, I focus on helping students identify their strengths and how they can use them to address challenges. It’s not about dwelling on problems but finding practical solutions.

Let’s take a closer look at cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as another example. This technique involves recognizing negative thought patterns that may be affecting a student’s behavior or outlook on life. As a counselor, I work with students to reframe these thoughts in more positive terms, leading to healthier behaviors and attitudes.

Now onto the world of psychoeducational counseling. Here, my role transforms from a listener to an educator. The goal? To equip students with knowledge about mental health issues like anxiety or depression. With an understanding of what’s happening inside their minds, they’re better prepared to manage these conditions.

One cannot forget motivational interviewing (MI), which is all about sparking change from within the student themselves. It hinges upon open-ended questions that encourage students to explore their motivations for change and devise plans for accomplishing their goals.

Lastly, let’s touch base with group counseling – a technique that fosters social interaction and peer support among students facing similar issues or problems.

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Focuses on identifying student strengths
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Works towards reframing negative thought patterns
• Psychoeducational Counseling: Educates students about mental health issues
• Motivational Interviewing: Encourages exploration of motivations for change
• Group Counseling: Promotes social interaction and peer support

All these techniques have one thing in common – they’re aimed at empowering our youth by providing them with tools necessary for personal growth and development.

Challenges Faced by Today’s Guidance Counselors

No doubt, being a guidance counselor is no walk in the park. I’m here to shed light on the challenges that today’s counselors face. It isn’t just about helping students with schedule changes or college applications anymore. The role of a guidance counselor has evolved and so have the hurdles they must navigate.

The biggest beast to battle? Heavy caseloads. In many schools across the nation, there’s an unfortunate imbalance of student-to-counselor ratios. According to recent data from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), on average, one school counselor is responsible for 455 students! That’s nearly double their recommended ratio of 250:1. Let’s look at this more closely:

Juggling such a heavy workload makes it tough for these professionals to provide each student with personalized attention and adequate support.

On top of this, guidance counselors often find themselves tangled in administrative tasks rather than focusing on direct counseling duties – another significant challenge they face daily. Paperwork, scheduling appointments, coordinating testing; all these chores eat into their time that could be better spent assisting students.

Let me also bring up budget constraints – a hurdle most public sectors can relate to but hits hard in education settings. Limited funding means fewer resources for training and development and less opportunity to introduce innovative counseling methods.

Finally, let’s not forget about navigating tricky waters when dealing with sensitive issues like mental health concerns amongst students. Not only do they require specialized expertise but also demand utmost patience and empathy from our dear counselors.

In essence, today’s guidance counselors are under quite some pressure! They’ve got monumental responsibilities on their plate while battling multiple challenges head-on.

Conclusion: The Essential Contribution of Guidance Counselors

In the complex world of education, guidance counselors have often been my unsung heroes. Their role isn’t simply to schedule classes or deal with disciplinary issues. Rather, they’re the silent architects behind a successful schooling journey — shaping futures and making dreams come true.

Guidance counselors have an enormous impact on students’ academic and career choices. They help identify students’ strengths, interests, and passions — paving the way for them to choose suitable courses and colleges. Yet their contribution doesn’t stop at academics. Counselors are also pivotal in fostering emotional wellbeing among students.

• They offer a listening ear during tough times.
• They provide resources for mental health support .
• Through counseling sessions, they help students navigate personal challenges.

Moreover, let’s not forget how guidance counselors contribute to creating a positive school environment! By mediating conflicts among students or between teachers and students, they uphold harmony and mutual respect within schools.

Exploring data can give us more insight into their impact:

These stats reveal just how crucial guidance counselors are in our educational system!

To wrap up this discussion about the essential contribution of guidance counselors – it’s clear that we owe much of our educational success to these dedicated professionals. Whether it’s guiding us towards our ideal career paths or providing emotional support when needed, their value cannot be underestimated!

So next time you see your school counselor – whether virtually or in person – take a moment to appreciate their hard work behind your successful academic journey!

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How Does A Guidance Counselor Support Students And Schools?

School counselors are a source of support for parents and students; they are a person you may count on to understand and meet a child or teen's educational goals. Beyond helping young people fulfill their academic requirements, a school counselor can guide students in managing the demands of school, home life, and socialization while teaching skills like planning, compromises, and negotiation. 

They may not teach a class directly, but counselors can have a significant impact on students and offer guidance that teachers might not. Understanding how these professionals can provide support to your child through high and low moments can be beneficial.  

A brief history of school counselors

In the United States, school counselors were established in the early 20th century  as vocation guidance counselors who focused on preparing students for the workforce.  The focus changed in the 1920s and 1930s due to child development, hygiene, psychological advances, and a more clinical approach to school counseling. 

More funding for school counseling in the 1960s 

In the beginning, many teachers doubled as counselors in this country. In the 1960s, counselors in public school districts were afforded more funding, allowing the vocation to flourish. The profession expanded beyond the focus on academic and career achievement, emphasizing helping children develop social and personal skills. 

Increased prevalence of school counselors in the 1970s

Some teachers initially opposed the idea, believing schools should be limited to more traditional educational concerns rather than personal and social development. However, its popularity continued with the majority of educators, and by the 1970s, guidance counseling was implemented in schools from kindergarten to high school. In the 1980s and early 1990s, new concerns were raised. Many teachers and school administrators questioned the effectiveness of school counselors.

Focus on better guidance counseling in the 2000s and beyond

In response to these concerns, in 2003, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) released a national framework for school counselors . In 2004, that model underwent revision to close opportunity and achievement gaps and ensure all students from kindergarten to grade 12 had a counselor providing specialized guidance. In 2019, the  ASCA National Model 's 4th edition was published, emphasizing the importance of assessment, management, and offering definitions of programs and student services. 

What role does a guidance counselor or school counselor play?

What does a guidance counselor in an education setting focus on.

The counselor job is often available from kindergarten through grade 12. The role focuses on helping students grow their self-understanding and acceptance of themselves. School counselors assess students individually, catering to each person's specific needs. This personalized assessment may allow students to rely on a counselor to assist with their academics, teacher relationships, personal concerns, career goals, and social life issues (such as bullying). Counselors often conduct one-on-one or group sessions, presentations, and workshops to support students. 

What is the general role of a school counselor?

Overall, the goal of a school counselor is to ensure that every student reaches their potential academically, emotionally, and socially. A counselor can help develop coping, organizational, and communication skills to give students the tools to attain a sense of self-acceptance. Some professional school counselors can also provide students with psychological counseling. 

Grade level differences: Degrees of guidance counseling

The responsibilities of guidance counselors may differ depending on what branch of education they are involved in. With different ages and levels of development in schools, the problems students face may change and evolve.

Elementary schools 

At the elementary level, one counselor may be assigned to the entire school. These counselors often work with students ranging from kindergarten to grade six. Elementary counselors might manage behavioral concerns, bullying, and family life. 

They might pay attention to students experiencing social difficulties, mental health symptoms, or signs of at-home conflicts. Furthermore, elementary school counselors can help students overcome bullying, gossip, and disagreements with teachers and friends.

Middle school 

A counselor may take on similar student issues at the middle school level. This group often includes students from grades six to eight. The onset of puberty during this stage of development may bring new concerns, including relationship issues, body image, sexual troubles, self-harm, and friend disagreements. Students may start to show symptoms of mental health conditions at this age, and the counselor may offer resources and suggestions depending on the need of the moment. 

High school 

Counseling in high schools may be based on academics and future plans for grades nine through twelve. Counselors aid students in making choices regarding their future careers and college education, including discussing information on financial aid. While school counselors may address social and emotional issues, often the main focus is to prepare students for their life beyond school and help students identify abilities and interests. 

University 

Some college and university campuses offer school counseling as well. A campus may have multiple counselors to accommodate the number of students. Students might talk to counselors about which classes to take for graduation, career, advice, and scholarship concerns at this level. They may also seek financial or childcare advice. With students over 18, parents may not be involved. 

Will a guidance counselor provide school counseling to parents?

The reach of school counseling may go beyond students. Some counselors may work with parents to create a productive and caring environment for students. These counselors can explain student academics as well as serve and support families and student’s loved ones through challenging phases, such as coping with losing a loved one or a divorce.

Parents can reach out to the school to request academic evaluations for their children to understand their child's grades better. They can also express concerns regarding their child to the counselor, such as worries about bullying. At times, counselors may be in charge of placing children in unique educational services. For example, students may receive an individualized education plan (IEP) or 504 plan for accommodations due to a disability. In these cases, family may be called in for meetings about the student's progress in school and their accommodations. 

How do guidance counselors differ from school psychologists?

Below are a couple of differences between the job description of school counselors and school psychologists. 

School counselors and school psychologists may receive different schooling. While the education prerequisite of school counselors may vary, they are often certified educators and hold a master's degree in school counseling. Often, they study counseling, life planning, and behavior. A counselor job description typically won’t require a Ph.D. 

School psychologists may have a master's degree in clinical counseling or a doctorate in psychology. In their training, they may focus more on knowledge related to child and cognitive development, prevention, and intervention tactics, as well as assessing children and youth. These programs may also require participation in clinical training, research, and assessment.

Function in the school 

There tends to be a difference in how counselors and psychologists function within the school. School counselors meet with and focus on the success of every student. They provide academic assistance, as well as career and personal advice, to optimize the potential of the students.

School psychologists may meet with students to assess their emotional and psychological needs. The psychologist may work with students with developmental or learning disabilities or those being held back by failing grades due to stressors outside the school.

School psychologists may counsel students and parents, develop educational plans, and work with teachers to implement the academic aid each student receives. They may also work closely with the school district administration and outside entities, promote programs to improve student achievement and consult with teachers to ensure the school community is emotionally and academically optimized.

How can school counselors steer students to success?

Counselors are on hand to assist students in various matters, guiding them toward their goals in and outside of the school environment. A counselor can be a listening ear if students are having trouble at home, work, or in their circle of friends. They can often offer helpful advice on how to deal with a situation, achieve academic goals, deal with bullying, improve self-esteem, and navigate youth homelessness. 

Alma Lopez, the lead school counselor for Livingston Middle School and 2022 School Counselor of the Year embodies all of the ideals of the school counseling profession. Focusing on strengthening communities, she advocates for equity in education despite cultural differences, ensures that all students get free school or reduced-price lunches, and works on recruitment for their strong counseling program. All this in addition to the essential central task to prepare students for the next level of schooling.

Other options for students seeking support or education

Your resources may not be limited to school counseling. There are many social programs available with the same structure that children and teens may attend. For example, the  Boys and Girls Club of America and the YMCA often offer youth support. The role these may play in a child's life can be immense. These programs and their volunteers and members often offer guidance, leadership, and counseling services with a safe place to participate in activities and sports with peers. Case management may also be beneficial service in young people’s lives. 

Counseling options for parents and teens 

Parents experiencing challenges while their children age and experience new milestones may also benefit from counseling. Although parents might not take advantage of school counseling, a licensed therapist can be rewarding. Busy parents can also take advantage of therapy through online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp. 

A growing body of evidence suggests that online therapy is an efficient way of connecting with a counselor when a person is seeking help. A  study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology , a peer-reviewed research journal, examined information from over 100 different online counseling trials. The study found that overall attitudes between counselors and participants were as favorable as in-person counseling. Online therapy is a unique form of counseling that eliminates barriers associated with face-to-face counseling, such as stigma, cost, and time constraints while being equally effective at treating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and many other mental health concerns. 

Parents can use internet-based methods to meet with a provider over the phone, via video, or live chat while choosing a scheduled appointment that best suits their needs. Additionally, if you have a child aged 13 to 19, they can take advantage of online therapy through a platform like TeenCounseling, which offers the same benefits. 

Counselors: An Option For You

Therapy is a personal experience, and not everyone will seek the same things from a therapist. A counselor can be very beneficial, but you might need more. But keeping these things in mind can ensure that you will get the most out of online therapy.

If you are still wondering if  therapy  is right for you, and how much therapy costs, please contact us at  [email protected] . BetterHelp specializes in online therapy to help address all types of mental health concerns. If you’re interested in individual therapy, please reach out to  [email protected] .

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What Is School Counseling? 14 Roles & Goals of Counselors

From trauma and learning disabilities to bullying and course selection, life can be difficult for students. A school counselor is there to help.

The basic role of a school counselor is to support students in their psychological, academic, and social development (Heled & Davidovitch, 2020; Popov & Spasenovic, 2020).

However, the breadth of school counseling is expansive. One minute, the school counselor may provide a social-emotional lesson to a first-grade class, and the next, they collaborate with the administrative team on a new school-wide behavioral intervention system.

Let’s look at this diverse role and what the ultimate aim is for all school counselors.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains:

What is school counseling, job description: 8 roles of a school counselor, school counselor vs school psychologist, 6 goals of a school counseling program, a word on ethical boundaries, positive education & counseling, positivepsychology.com’s tools, a take-home message.

School counseling addresses issues that may affect students’ academic performance, which includes psychosocial and behavioral challenges (Gachenia & Mwenje, 2020). School counseling services are delivered by the school counselor.

A school counselor’s role addresses students’ mental, emotional, social, and academic development (Heled & Davidovitch, 2020; Popov & Spasenovic, 2020). Schools systems in different parts of the world have varying titles for school counselors (Popov & Spasenovic, 2020):

• Australia – student or education counselor
• Bulgaria – pedagogical counselor
• Denmark – pedagogical-psychological counselor
• Russia – pedagogue-psychologist
• Croatia, North Macedonia, and Serbia – expert associate
• Malta, Slovenia, UK, USA – school counselor
• Ireland – guidance counselor

For more information on this important role in the United States, please refer to the American Counseling Association’s The Role of the School Counselor .

A 2020 study by Popov and Spasenovic showed that although the title or role of the school counselor differs somewhat, the key elements of school counseling can be summarized as:

• Supporting the psychological, academic, and social development of students
• Resolving conflicts between all actors in school life
• Helping students face personal problems
• Consulting with students, parents, teachers, and principals
• Coordinating various school activities.

These are just a few roles this multifunctional position may fill. It is important to note that the dominant functions of school counseling may also vary across countries. Let’s explore a few of these in depth.

Counselors help students identify their abilities, capacities, and interests, preventing dropout (Popov & Spasenovic, 2020).

The counselor may also act as a coordinator who advises students about their career orientation and decisions. In doing so, counselors may help students prepare for higher education and college admissions (Karunanayake, Chandrapala, & Vimukthi, 2020).

In Australia and Ireland, the role of the school counselor relies heavily on academic and career guidance and counseling (Popov & Spasenovic, 2020).

There can be many tricky situations within the school setting, and the counselor may act as an advocate who guides and negotiates by diplomatic means.

For example, a student may feel that they are being treated unfairly by their teacher. The counselor may also act as a mediator between students who have just had a physical altercation. Prevention is the focus for school counselors in Russia (Popov & Spasenovic, 2020), and a school counselor may be able to prevent unfavorable situations with pre-teaching social skills lessons and counseling.

Social skills teacher

In teaching social skills, a counselor can act as a researcher, specialist, expert, leader, and consultant (Karunanayake et al., 2020; Popov & Spasenovic, 2020).

The counselor must first seek a research-based social skills curriculum suited for their school demographic, deliver the content, and assist the general education teachers in utilizing the curriculum.

Sometimes all a student needs is a friend, and the school counselor can be there for the student in a professional capacity. With this professional friendship comes confidentiality and privacy.

Like a friend, the counselor may act as a mentor, supporter, advisor, listener, and believer.

Supporting students in their personal development and learning is the main role for school counselors in Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Popov & Spasenovic, 2020).

Disciplinarian

In some schools, the counselor may be the frontline point person for students who misbehave. When a teacher sends a student out of the classroom, the student may be required to see the school counselor to address their behavior. The counselor may then decide on the next course of action or consult the administrators.

Counselors may also have to address attendance issues by communicating with students or parents (Karunanayake et al., 2020).

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In many cases, the school counselor may act as a school psychologist while delivering counseling sessions. School counselors may sometimes have to address student trauma or remedy situations involving bullying.

In the United Kingdom, mental healthcare is also a big focus (Popov & Spasenovic, 2020).

School counselors may also be found in the classroom. They may assist the classroom teacher, provide consultation, or deliver lessons about social skills or emotional learning.

Just as the classroom teacher prepares lessons, the school counselor must also create and deliver engaging lessons while having good classroom management skills. Formatively assessing students’ knowledge during and after the lesson helps counselors to adjust the teaching or future content.

Collaborating with school staff and supporting the school organization and the teaching/learning process are also roles of the school counselor. The counselor must create and deliver a robust research-based school counseling program using data and student needs (Dimmitt & Zyromski, 2020).

Improving the overall functioning of the school, teaching, and school work is the main focus for school counseling in Croatia, Slovenia, and Serbia (Popov & Spasenovic, 2020).

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The roles of the school counselor and school psychologist are similar in that they aim to provide all students with meaningful access to the school curriculum. The biggest differences between these two professions could be the preparation/education and licensing.

Although both roles may differ between countries, states, or school districts, here are a few of the common similarities and differences.

A school psychologist is tasked with the responsibility of helping students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. This differs from the role of a school counselor in terms of their daily tasks and scope of support.

Regarding interventions, as an example, a school counselor may be responsible for the implementation of interventions, while the school psychologist’s duty includes administering, scoring, and interpreting psychoeducational assessments that help students qualify for specific services such as special education.

A school counselor is not licensed to perform such activities. In the United States, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates that a school psychologist is required as an individualized education program (IEP) team member to interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results.

Watkins, Crosby, and Pearson (2001) found that many psychologists would prefer to administer fewer assessments and instead conduct more activities that mirror the school counselor’s role. Indeed, in addition to psychometrics, many school psychologists work with students and the school in the areas of positive behavior or conflict-resolution and bullying (National Association of School Psychologists, n.d.).

As much as a school psychologist may wish to spend more time directly with students, the school counselor will likely be providing individual, small group, class, and counseling sessions to students. In such instances, students are more likely to be referred to school psychologists only when in-depth mental health interventions are required (Wake Forest University, n.d.).

Both school psychologists and counselors may provide training to teachers to help them meet students’ diverse needs and engage with families, helping to connect them to community service providers or other crisis prevention and intervention services.

The graph below is by no means an exhaustive list, but demonstrates some of the differences and similarities between school counselors and school psychologists.

• Fulfill lives School counselors help students live more fulfilling lives by addressing problematic issues (Gachenia & Mwenje, 2020). An example of a problematic issue may be a learning disability.

In collaboration with the general education teacher, the school counselor may be able to suggest strategies, implement interventions, or start the special education referral process.

• Assist students with challenges Students face a plethora of challenges. If a student has an issue with a particular teacher, the school counselor may speak with the teacher or act as a mediator to remedy the situation.
• Adjustment School counseling programs aim to help students attain self-awareness and adjust emotionally, socially, and psychologically (Gachenia & Mwenje, 2020).

A school counselor may create a “buddy” program that pairs a returning student with a new student to make them feel welcome. Additionally, a school counselor may prepare a student for a post-high school job, technical school, or college.

• Promote a positive school life According to a study conducted by Gachenia and Mwenje (2020), 87% of the students who participated in counseling sessions felt more positive about their school life.

A counselor is there to help students through difficult situations both in and outside school.

• Generating or supporting school-wide interventions In most schools, school counselors are tasked with the responsibility to support, if not entirely create, a school-wide intervention program. Constant evaluation must also accompany this systematic change to determine if the interventions are being implemented and if they are effective (Dimmitt & Zyromski, 2020).
• Mental health and social-emotional learning School counseling addresses mental health via school-wide lessons, social-emotional learning or individual counseling sessions. Counselors may address these needs through class, group, or individual lessons and counseling sessions (Dimmitt & Zyromski, 2020).

In sum, by addressing these goals, a school counseling program aims to improve students’ academic performance and social skills (Gachenia & Mwenje, 2020).

As a school counselor, it is important to be aware of legal and ethical ramifications of your actions (Herlihy, Gray, & McCollum, 2002).

For example, imagine a student confides that they thinking about hurting themselves. They urge you to promise not to tell anyone. While you want to practice confidentiality, ethical guidelines steer you in a different direction. Here are a few important points:

• Counseling relationship First, it is essential that the school counselor avoid harm at all costs. The counselor must know their own values and beliefs and ensure that they do not result in bias (American Counseling Association, 2014). Furthermore, it is the counselor’s duty to be mindful of cultural differences that may affect the counseling relationship.
• Confidentiality It is crucial that a school counselor can create a rapport with students and earn their trust. A counselor must respect the privacy of the students and provide a safe space to divulge sensitive information; however, it is also important to follow local laws.

Duty of care must be taken into consideration, and the counselor will need to notify the appropriate authority if a student is being harmed or plans to do harm (American Counseling Association, 2014; McGinnis & Jenkins, 2006).

• Maintaining boundaries As with many relationships within the school setting, it is crucial to maintain boundaries .

A counselor must not enter a nonprofessional relationship with a student or former student (American Counseling Association, 2014). Boundary Issues in Counseling: Multiple Roles and Responsibilities by Herlihy and Corey (2014) is an extremely good book to explore many ethical situations and solutions.

How school counselors’ roles have evolved – The Boston Globe

Positive education is the combination of best-practice teaching and positive psychology. With the supreme benefits of positive psychology, it comes as no surprise that positive education and positive counseling would be just as transformational.

Uluyos and Sezgin (2021) examined the effects of positive psychology-based group counseling and found that this type of counseling reduced students’ tendency to lie.

Using the PERMA model , Martin Seligman’s intent is to educate students while fostering happiness and wellbeing.

15 Best Positive Education Books and Positive Discipline Practices is an excellent resource to learn more about the art and benefits of positive education.

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The Top 28 Counseling Books for Practitioners and Beginners is an excellent source to explore books relevant to the field of school counseling. Beginning counselors may wish to review the “Best Books for Beginners” section, and experienced school counselors would benefit by investigating the “For Counseling Children” section, which includes three excellent sources for working with students.

Considering resiliency within the classroom, a school counselor can explore Teaching Resilience in School and Fostering Resilient Learners . This comprehensive article contains 100 activities for teaching resilience and specific programs used for teaching students this important concept.

Here are a few of the many worksheets available at PositivePsychology.com that may be helpful in your school counseling practice:

• Inside and Outside helps students describe how they feel when experiencing an emotion.
• Self-Control Spotting is an interactive worksheet where students determine if an action shows self-control or a lack of self-control.
• The Self-Assessment Worksheet for Older Children contains seven questions that help students examine their strengths, favorite activities, successes, and hardships.
• Showing Responsibility is an excellent tool to explore what responsibility is and determine how to be more responsible.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others enhance their wellbeing, this signature collection contains 17 validated positive psychology tools for practitioners. Use them to help others flourish and thrive.

School counseling is a multi-faceted, challenging, and rewarding position in the school system.

If you are empathetic and goal driven, enjoy working with students, and wish to help them be the best they can be in their academic career and as responsible citizens, consider a career as a school counselor.

Whether you enjoy working with students or young adults, in a classroom or in your own office, collaboratively or independently, with successful students or students with challenges, school counseling may be the profession for you.

If you encompass these qualities, you could be the one to make a positive change in a student’s life!

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free .

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics . Retrieved June 20, 2021, from http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=4
• Dimmitt, C., & Zyromski, B. (2020). Evidence-based school counseling: Expanding the existing paradigm. Professional School Counseling , 23 , 1–5.
• Gachenia, L., & Mwenje, M. (2020). Effectiveness of school counseling programs on academic achievement of secondary school students in Kiambu County, Kenya.  International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counselling (IJEPC) , 5 (35), 58–64. Retrieved June 21, 2021, from http://dspace.pacuniversity.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2927
• Heled, E., & Davidovitch, N. (2020). An occupation in search of identity—What is school counseling? Journal of Education and Learning , 9 (5).
• Herlihy, B., & Corey, G. (2014). Boundary issues in counseling: Multiple roles and responsibilities . John Wiley & Sons.
• Herlihy, B., Gray, N., & McCollum, V. (2002). Legal and ethical issues in school counselor supervision. Professional School Counseling , 6 , 55–60.
• Karunanayake, D., Chandrapala, K. M. N. S., & Vimukthi, N. D. U. (2020). Students’ attitudes about school counseling. Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences , 12 (2), 21–31.
• McGinnis, S., & Jenkins, P. (Eds.). (2006). Good practice for guidance counselling in schools (4th ed.). British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Retrieved June 21, 2021, from http://youthcounsellinghull.co.uk/resources/BACP%20School%20Counselling%20Good%20Practice.pdf
• National Association of School Psychologists. (n.d.). Who are school psychologists? Retrieved November 21, 2021 from https://www.nasponline.org/about-school-psychology/who-are-school-psychologists
• Popov, N., & Spasenovic, V. (2020). School counseling: A comparative study in 12 countries. Bulgarian Comparative Education Society , 18 , 34–41.
• Uluyos, M. A., & Sezgin, O. (2021). Examination of the effect of positive psychology-based group counseling on lying tendencies. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling , 6 (1), 29–46.
• Wake Forest University. (n.d.). What’s the difference: School counselor vs. school psychologist? Retrieved November 21, 2021 from https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/whats-difference-school-counselor-vs-school-psychologist/
• Watkins, M. W., Crosby, E. G., & Pearson, J. L. (2001). Role of the school psychologist: Perceptions of school staff. School Psychology International , 22 (1), 64–73.

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Your description of what a school psychologist does is terribly narrow. For example, many school psychologists provide direct counseling services but by putting this article out there you are perpetuating misinformation which ultimately results in confusion and students not getting the services they need.

Hi Dr. Timmons,

Thank you for your feedback — it’s helpful as we’re really committed to providing the most accurate information we can here. We’ve now revised our description about the school psychologist’s responsibilities and included more references to support this.

– Nicole | Community Manager

content was very useful

I thank the team of Positive Psychology for the work that you are doing. Every communication is very helpful in aiding the work that I am doing. As I am tasked with career guidance and workplace counselling, your tools are very useful and I just want to commend you for the good work that you are doing. Thank you

It is really an important information that guides more deeply towards the insight of counseling process. Thanking you Also I need above mentioned worksheets. That Wil be your kindness

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April 16, 2021

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Home » Blog » Breaking the Stigma in Counseling

Breaking the Stigma in Counseling

Writer/s: Angelica Jane Evangelista, Azie Marie Libanan Researcher/s: Alvin Joseph Mapoy, K Ballesteros Graphics: Bee Fukomoto Moderators: Angelica Jane Evangelista, Azie Marie Libanan, Alvin Joseph Mapoy

Mental illness is the third most common disability in the Philippines (Martinez, 2020). According to the Philippine World Health Organization (WHO), Special Initiative for Mental Health conducted in the early part of 2020, at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from one kind of mental, neurological, and substance use disorder (DOH, 2020).

On a larger scale, mental and behavioral disorders account for about 14% of the global burden of disease, which means that as many as 450 million people suffer from these illnesses worldwide (DOH, 2020).

And with a pandemic suddenly taking the whole world by storm, the mental health of groups especially the older adults, health care providers, and people with underlying health conditions have suffered further and even more gravely (DOH, 2020).

As talked about in #UsapTayo’s March 20, 2021 twitter discussions, we have seen how Burnout and Pandemic Fatigue have been relevant consequences of the current global health crisis caused by COVID-19. The global community continues to suffer sustained and heightened feelings of distress from multiple stressors for over a year now (Recovering, 2021).

Despite these reports highlighting the prevalence of Mental Health related concerns and problems, and shared pandemic fatigue, a lot of people still choose to go untreated (at least professionally). There is still a generally low percentage of Filipinos seeking professional help, and accessing mental health services in the country. Such reluctance, according to a narrative synthesis of 15 related studies, is found to be influenced heavily by various psychosocial, socio-cultural, systemic/structural, and economic factors (Martinez, 2020).

Mental Health and Policy Support

With the passage of RA No. 11036, otherwise known as the Mental Health Act, in June of 2018, after a long policy campaign, there was considerable hope that the said law will promote the importance of Mental Health to educational institutions, workplaces, and communities, and protect the rights of those who are experiencing mental health illness against discrimination. The law was also expected to guarantee access to comprehensive and integrated mental health services, particularly for the marginalized and the most vulnerable (WHO, 2018).

This was supported by the subsequent passage of the Universal Health Care Law, in February of 2019, which mandated structural and functional changes in health financing, service delivery, and governance. The Philippine UHC Law sought to address the inequities faced by the country’s health system because of fragmented service delivery and inefficient financing mechanisms (UHC, 2019).

Before these laws, the move to professionalize the Guidance & Counseling, and Psychology practice in the country has also been vigorously undertaken. The Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004 (R.A. No. 9258), and the Philippine Psychology Act of 2009 (R.A. No. 10029) recognized the important role of guidance and counselors, and psychologists in nation-building and development.

RA 10029 further acknowledged the diverse specializations of psychologists and the diverse functions specific to the varied specializations. It also recognized the significance of the psychological services that practicing psychologists provide to diverse types of clients. The act highlighted the need to protect the public by preventing inexperienced or untrained individuals from offering psychological services (Psychology, 2010).

With all of these laws in place, what and where are the gaps that are reflected in data from quantitative community studies? Said data showed that the rates of formal help-seeking behaviors among the Filipino general population only ranged from 2.2% to 17.5%. This was supported by reports from qualitative studies where participants did not seek help at all (Martinez, 2020).

The frequency of reports of formal help seeking from studies conducted in crisis centers and online counseling, however, tended to be higher . For instance, the rate of engagement in online counseling among overseas Filipinos was 10.68%, those receiving treatment in crisis centers was 39.32%, while 100% of participants who were victims of intimate partner violence were already receiving help from a women’s support agency (Martinez, 2020).

The rate of formal psychological help-seeking of Filipinos overseas ranged from 2.2% of Filipino Americans to 17.5% of Filipinos in Israel. And both local and overseas Filipinos indicated that professional help is sought only as a last resort because they were more inclined to get help from family and friends or lay network (Martinez, 2020).

According to the American Counseling Association, counseling is defined as a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. Counseling is usually done by a mental health professional to help and guide people during difficult situations, such as the stress that comes from our daily lives (What is, n.d.).

It may also be a form of professional assistance in coping with personal problems, including emotional, behavioral, vocational, marital, educational, rehabilitation, and life-stage (e.g., retirement) problems. The counselor makes use of techniques such as active listening, guidance, advice, discussion, clarification, and the administration of tests (VandenBos, 2015).

  Counseling in the Philippines

“Much like its inherent multiculturalism, counseling in the Philippines has evolved from multiple influences. Counseling encompasses a broad spectrum of disciplines (e.g., guidance and counseling, counseling/clinical psychology), and an acknowledgment of the societal context in which it occurs (e.g., poverty, physical disasters, overseas working, graft and corruption, and economic and political instability) (Tuason, 2012)”

In this case, counselors must navigate societal stigmas regarding the need for mental health assistance and widespread ignorance of the field; they also advocate for mental health and resilience in difficult life circumstances (Tuason, 2012).

At present, there is a shortage of mental health professionals in the country. The ratio of Mental health professionals is 2-3 per 100,000 population (WHO & Department of Health, 2006) and more recent data indicate that there are 1.08 mental health beds in general hospitals and 4.95 beds in psychiatric hospitals per 100 000 of the population (WHO, 2014).

There are 46 outpatient facilities (0.05/100 000 population) and 4 community residential facilities (0.02/100 000) (WHO, 2014). Also, there are only tertiary care psychiatric hospitals here in the Philippines, some of which are the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) which is located in Mandaluyong City, and Mariveles Mental Hospital in Bataan. The others are small satellites affiliated with the National Center of Mental Health.

Barriers on Help-seeking Behaviors

Stigma regarding mental health illness, more specifically towards seeking professional help or counseling, remains among the most cited reasons why people do not seek mental health treatment (Corrigan, 2004). Stigmatic belief held by self and others may be due to a variety of reasons such as lack of knowledge about mental health, and avoidance behavior towards individuals who suffer from mental health problems. (Vogel, Wester, & Larson, 2007),

Vogel, Wade, and Hackler (2007) suggest that the fear and anxiety of the undesirable label placed on the individual who are experiencing mental health difficulties, and the strong stigma about mental health illness in general, may be the reasons one will choose to be in denial regarding their mental health issues. This in turn, prevents them from seeking professional help.

Vogel, Wade, and Hackler (2007) also state that public opinion and public stigma play a powerful role in influencing someone about the stigma and the acceptance of mental health illness in the society. 

In the Philippines, themes on barriers and facilitators of formal help-seeking have been identified as:

• psychosocial barriers/ facilitators , which include social support from family and friends, perceived severity of mental illness, awareness of mental health issues, self-stigmatizing beliefs, treatment fears, and other individual concerns;
• socio-cultural barriers/facilitators, which include the perceived social norms and beliefs on mental health, social stigma, the influence of religious beliefs, and language and acculturation factors; and
• systemic/structural and economic barriers/facilitators , which include financial or employment status, the health care system and its accessibility, availability and affordability, and ethnicity, nativity, or immigration status (Martinez, 2020).

Specifically, the most commonly endorsed barriers were:

• financial constraints due to high cost of service, lack of health insurance, or precarious employment condition;
• self-stigma, with associated fear of negative judgment, sense of shame, embarrassment and being a disgrace, fear of being labeled as ‘crazy’, self-blame and concern for the loss of face; and
• social stigma that puts the family’s reputation at stake or places one’s cultural group in bad light (Martinez, 2020). 

Breaking the Stigma about Counseling

A most important point to emphasize is that advocacy should be directed toward societal issues and include a social justice agenda given the prevalent poverty, the intersection of poverty with crime and trauma, the necessity of overseas working in families, the presence of street children, and child laborers. These sectors have been worst hit by the current pandemic. These issues contribute to the context of the Filipino’s environment, and importantly, set the parameters for how change happens. Of these, the most significant are poverty, overseas working, and unstable political and economic conditions (Tuason, 2012).

Social issues become counseling issues at the individual level (CIA, 2011). Hazards and disasters in the Philippines also exacerbate the impact of poverty as the country is regularly affected by typhoons, volcanoes, landslides, earthquakes, and tsunamis (Tuason, 2012).

“Sociopolitical crises due to unstable political leadership and extreme socioeconomic inequities stress Filipino families” (Carandang, 1989). Furthermore, because of rampant graft and corruption in government offices, and dishonesty in the media, a collective and personal sense of volition is difficult to achieve. One problem is that the absence of consequences makes it hard for people to be accountable and to realize the consequences of their actions . Another is that people feel helpless in the face of power inequality and inequity of rights and duties (de Guzman, 2009). Hence, the sense of control is lacking , which is a necessary variable for change in counseling (Tuason, 2012).”

However, the country is still rich in resources that play a significant role in the counseling process, which strongly contribute to healing and flourishing. These include religiousness and spirituality (Dy-Liacco, Piedmont, Murray-Swank, Rodgerson,& Sherman, 2009); engagement of family members and friends (Grimm, Church, Katigbak, & Reyes, 1999); and a strong drive for survival, hopefulness, and hardiness (Tuason, 2012).”

Counseling practices, and research, training, and supervision of future counselors, therefore, will need to focus on restructuring societal systems to be more reliable and equitable. This is necessary to address the  deep conflicts perpetrated by long-standing graft and corruption, bribery, and injustices toward the citizens, the protracted conflict between Christians and Muslims (Ebal, 2006), exacerbated by intractable poverty. At the individual level, counselors will need to focus on redefining themselves within the context of the system to be empowered and to be able to create changes within their spheres of influence (Tuason, 2012).

With the indigenization of theories that started with Filipino psychology by Enriquez (1977) and phenomena of religion, consciousness, and culture by Bulatao (1992) the thrust for counseling models and theories in the future will be for specifically identifying, labeling, and using counseling models borne in Philippine society (e.g., Ramos, 2010; Tanalega, 2004).

Kapwa and Filipino help-seeking behaviors

Most of the studies identified informal help through family and friends as the most widely utilized source of support, while professional service providers were only used as a last resort (Martinez, 2020).

This is very culturally true for Filipinos. Studies have shown that reliance on, and accessibility of sympathetic, reliable and trusted family and friends may be a strong decision point in formal help-seeking behavior since professional help is sought only in the absence of this social support (Martinez, 2020).

This is consistent with the predominant cultural value that govern Filipino interpersonal relationships called “kapwa”  (or shared identity) in which trusted family and friends are considered as “hindi-ibang-tao” (one-of-us/insider), while doctors or professionals are seen as “ibang-tao” (outsider) (Martinez, 2020).

Filipinos are apt to disclose and be more open and honest about their mental illness to those whom they consider as “hindi-ibang-tao” (insider) as against those who are “ibang-tao” (outsider), hence their preference for family members and close friends as a source of informal help  (Martinez, 2020).

This may be a complexity in the Filipino help seeking behavior that we always need to keep in mind. Especially as we aim for the indigenization of theories and professional practice, which recognizes fully the phenomena of religion, consciousness, and culture  (Martinez, 2020).

In addition, Sydney-Based Psychologist Aimee Santos, stated that some Filipino values we see as positive traits can have a counter effect on one’s mental health, especially their help seeking behavior. 

One of the Filipino traits Aimee discusses is “hiya”. Many Filipinos see “hiya” as a sign of humility, but “hiya” can restrain individuals from expressing themselves and prevent them from seeking professional help. The aphorism “mahiya ka naman” (shame on you) is used to regulate  behavior to become more acceptable to our family and community, which may also prevent individuals from seeking help.

So for us to be “kapwa” when a friend or relative may come to us for some form of support, here are some Active Listening Reminders that you might want to keep in mind when dealing with people especially in highly charged situations or in this pandemic in general (Basic, 2019):

Active Listening Reminders (Basic, 2019)

• Take time to listen carefully, concentrate on what is being said
• Telling their story will often help people understand, and eventually, accept the event.
• Do not hurry
• Ask questions to clarify
• Try not to interrupt until story ends
• Do ask questions to clarify
• Occasionally restate part of the story in your own words to make sure you understand
• Avoid Why/Why not?
• Don’t judge
• Avoid “I know how you feel.”
• Avoid evaluation of their experience and their reactions
• Silence is O.K. 

Helping Responsibly, Four Main Points: (Basic, 2019)

• Respect safety, dignity and rights
• Adapt what you do to take account of the person’s culture
• Be aware of other emergency response measures
• Look after yourself.

What to avoid (Basic, 2019)

• Force people to share their story with you
• Tell people what they should or should not feel or think
• Minimize what they have gone through
• Automatically assume they share your religious belief
• Do not make assumptions about what survivors are experiencing or what they have been through
• Do not assume that everyone exposed to a disaster /experienced a crisis will be traumatized
• Do not pathologize
• Do not talk down or patronize
• Do not assume that all persons want to talk or need to talk to you
• Do not give promises you cannot keep
• Do not preach
• Do not judge
• Avoid taking more responsibility for the situation than seems appropriate

It is also important to Listen to what the person is NOT saying , and Provide Practical Help. And essentially, we always go back to every helping professional’s ethical compass in providing help– Primum Non Nocere: First, Do No Harm (Basic, 2019). #HelpIsHere 

Here’s the link to the #MentalHealthPH Directory of Mental Health Services: https://mentalhealthph.org/directory/

Join us on our tweetchat this Tuesday, April 20. Let’s talk about breaking the stigma on counseling! Tara, #UsapTayo!

• How can we contribute to lessen the stigma surrounding counseling and seeking help from professionals?
• What are the barriers that discourage or prevent people from seeking professional help and accessing mental health services? How can we motivate people to seek help and access these services?
• What can you say to those who are hesitant/ or are unable to seek help?

Works Cited

An Introduction to the Philippine Universal Health Care Law. Retrieved from: https://thinkwell.global/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/PH-UHC-Law-Series_Brief-1.pdf

Basic Mental Health and Psychological First Aid in the School and Workplace. PFA notes. Retrieved from: www.argaocenter.com , www.smartereone.ph. May 2019

Lally, J., Samaniego, R.M., Tully, J. Mental health legislation in the Philippines: Philippine Mental Health Act. BJPsych Int. 16(3): 65–67. (2019). doi: 10.1192/bji.2018.33 PMCID: PMC6646847 PMID: 31385981. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6646847/

Martinez, A.B., Co, M., Lau, J. et al. Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers and facilitators: a systematic review. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 55, 1397–1413 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01937-2

Psychology – Professional Regulation Commission. (2010) Retrieved from: https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Psychology%20-%20Board%20Law_0.pdf 2010

Recovering from Pandemic Burnout. (2021). Ballesteros, K., #MentalHealthPH. Retrieved from: https://mentalhealthph.org/03-20/

Tuason, M.T.G., Fernandez, K.T.G., Catipon, M.A.D.P. , Trivino‐De, L., Arellano‐Carandang, M.L. Counseling in the Philippines: Past, Present, and Future (2012). https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2012.00047.x. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263731178_Counseling_in_the_Philippines_Past_Present_and_Future

UHC Act in the Philippines: a new dawn for health care. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/uhc-act-in-the-philippines-a-new-dawn-for-health-care 14 March 2019

VandenBos, G. R. (Ed.). (2015). APA Dictionary of Psychology (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14646-000

What is Professional Counseling? Retrieved from: https://www.counseling.org/aca-community/learn-about-counseling/what-is-counseling#:~:text=Professional%20counseling%20is%20a%20professional,challenges%20that%20they%20are%20facing.

WHO congratulates the Philippines on its new Mental Health Act. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/22-06-2018-who-congratulates-the-philippines-on-its-new-mental-health-act 22 June 2018 News release Manila, Philippines

How your Filipino Values can affect your Mental Heath. Retrived from: SBS Language | How your Filipino values can affect your mental health

Your Mind Matters: DOH Calls for unified response to Mental Health. Retrieved from: https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/YOUR-MIND-MATTERS-DOH-CALLS-FOR-UNIFIED-RESPONSE-TO-MENTAL-HEALTH Press Release | 10 October 2020

Other links:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6646843/

https://www.sfasu.edu/counselingservices/182.asp

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-020-01937-2

https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/stigma-toward-seeking-mental-health-services-among-graduate-counseling-students.pdf?sfvrsn=d4db432c_4

https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2004/ra_9258_2004.html

https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health_advisory/IRR%20of%20RA%2011036.pdf

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2019/02feb/20190220-RA-11223-RRD.pdf

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105 Counseling Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Counseling is a crucial field that helps individuals overcome various challenges and improve their mental well-being. If you are a student studying counseling or psychology, you may be required to write essays on different topics related to this field. To help you get started, here are 105 counseling essay topic ideas and examples that you can consider:

• The role of counseling in promoting mental health.
• The impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health.
• The effectiveness of counseling in treating anxiety disorders.
• The relationship between substance abuse and mental health.
• The importance of cultural competency in counseling.
• The role of counseling in preventing suicide.
• The benefits of group therapy for individuals with depression.
• The challenges of counseling LGBTQ+ individuals.
• The impact of social media on mental health.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with eating disorders.
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating phobias.
• The impact of divorce on children's mental health.
• The ethical considerations in counseling vulnerable populations.
• The role of spirituality in counseling.
• The impact of stress on mental health and coping strategies.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with personality disorders.
• The benefits of play therapy for children with behavioral issues.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• The impact of domestic violence on mental health.
• The importance of self-care for counselors.
• The role of counseling in addressing addiction.
• The benefits of expressive arts therapy in counseling.
• The impact of technology on mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with bipolar disorder.
• The effectiveness of family therapy in treating substance abuse.
• The impact of childhood bullying on adult mental health.
• The importance of self-esteem in mental well-being.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with schizophrenia.
• The benefits of mindfulness-based therapy in counseling.
• The impact of unemployment on mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with borderline personality disorder.
• The role of counseling in addressing self-harm behaviors.
• The effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy in counseling.
• The impact of parental divorce on adolescent mental health.
• The importance of empathy in counseling.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
• The benefits of animal-assisted therapy in counseling.
• The impact of social isolation on mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• The role of counseling in addressing body image issues.
• The effectiveness of trauma-focused therapy in counseling survivors of abuse.
• The impact of poverty on mental health.
• The importance of self-compassion in counseling.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with ADHD.
• The benefits of narrative therapy in counseling.
• The impact of technology addiction on mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with eating disorders.
• The role of counseling in addressing self-esteem issues in adolescents.
• The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy in treating borderline personality disorder.
• The impact of racial discrimination on mental health.
• The importance of cultural sensitivity in counseling.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
• The benefits of art therapy in counseling.
• The impact of sleep deprivation on mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with addiction.
• The role of counseling in addressing body dysmorphic disorder.
• The effectiveness of motivational interviewing in counseling.
• The impact of parental mental illness on child development.
• The importance of self-reflection in counseling.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with eating disorders in men.
• The benefits of music therapy in counseling.
• The impact of technology on adolescent mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with anxiety disorders.
• The role of counseling in addressing trauma in veterans.
• The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in counseling.
• The impact of childhood neglect on adult mental health.
• The importance of self-awareness in counseling.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• The benefits of equine-assisted therapy in counseling.
• The impact of workplace stress on mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with depression.
• The role of counseling in addressing grief and loss.
• The effectiveness of narrative exposure therapy in counseling refugees.
• The impact of social media addiction on mental health.
• The importance of cultural competence in counseling LGBTQ+ individuals.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with personality disorders.
• The benefits of play therapy in counseling children with autism spectrum disorder.
• The impact of body image ideals on mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with schizophrenia.
• The role of counseling in addressing anger management issues.
• The effectiveness of family systems therapy in counseling.
• The impact of childhood abuse on adult mental health.
• The importance of self-care in preventing counselor burnout.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with bipolar disorder in college settings.
• The benefits of sandplay therapy in counseling.
• The impact of cyberbullying on adolescent mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with personality disorders in prison settings.
• The role of counseling in addressing self-injury behaviors.
• The effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy in counseling.
• The impact of parental substance abuse on child mental health.
• The importance of cultural humility in counseling.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with ADHD in school settings.
• The benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction in counseling.
• The impact of social comparison on body image and mental health.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with eating disorders in minority populations.
• The role of counseling in addressing self-esteem issues in older adults.
• The effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy in counseling veterans with PTSD.
• The impact of poverty on child mental health.
• The importance of self-compassion in counseling survivors of trauma.
• The role of counseling in supporting individuals with addiction in the workplace.
• The benefits of art therapy in counseling children with behavioral issues.
• The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem.
• The challenges of counseling individuals with bipolar disorder in outpatient settings.
• The role of counseling in addressing self-harm behaviors in adolescents.

These essay topic ideas should provide you with a wide range of options to choose from when writing your counseling essays. Remember to select a topic that interests you and aligns with your academic goals. Good luck with your essays!

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