3. Objectives:
Define counseling.
Discuss the application of counseling as a discipline of art and
as a discipline of science.
Enumerate and discuss the goals, nature, and scope of
counseling.
4. There are misconceptions as regards not only to mental
health services, but also those who seek counseling.
These misconceptions include the following:
1. A person seeing a counselor, a psychologist,
a psychiatrist, or any mental health practitioner
has a mental illness.
*Note, though, that a person should be able
to freely consult any mental health practitioner
and share his or her concerns so that he or she
can deal with them effectively.
5. 2. Counseling means giving advice
The opposite is actually true: professional
counselors are trained to avoid giving advice.
When a counselor gives advice, the client is kept
from gaining a better position to understand,
analyze, and solve his or her problem. Instead of
giving advice, the primary goal of the counselor is
to assist the client to identify the factors that
contribute to his or her problem and address
them accordingly.
6. 3. Counseling is part of the discipline board.
Students who have violated the school’s code of discipline are
referred to the counselor. However, this does not mean that the
counselor’s role is to reprimand and discipline. In this situation,
the counselor provides the following assistance to the student
concerned.
a. Facilitate an understanding of the factors that caused him or
her to disobey school rules and regulations
b. Reorient the student on school policies
c. Recommend seminars or workshops aimed to impart the
characterization of the schools values
d. Provide psychological support should the student’s action
merit dismissal
7. 4. A counselor is a problem-solver.
Counselors do not dispense easy solutions to
problems. In fact, counseling works best through
collaboration with the client. A counselor is a
facilitator who guides you toward possible
solution t o resolve your dilemma. However, only
when the counselor know and understands the
entire situation could he or she best help the
client. Hence, through an honest, transparent, and
goal-oriented discussion between the counselor
and the client, the counselor is able to facilitate
realizations of the advantages and disadvantages
of identified solutions to a dilemma.
8. The Art and Science of Counseling
RA 9258, Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004
Guidance and counseling is defined by the law as
“the profession that involves the use of an integrated
approach to the development of a well-functioning
individual primarily by helping him or her utilize his or
her potential to the fullest and plan his or her present
and future in accordance with his or her abilities,
interest, and needs.”
9. Counseling is an active process between the counselor and client,
which aims to assist the clients to better understand themselves and
strive for changes to improve their lives 'circumstances.
It is both an art and sciences.
A counselor is like an artist who can be flexible and creative with
how he or she can reach and relate with his or her client.
A counselor makes himself or herself available to attend to the
concerns of the counselee – a clear manifestation of the concept of
giving oneself to the counseling process.
Counseling is a science as it practices objectivity and follows a
proper methodological process.
The Art and Science of Counseling
10. The Goals of Counseling
1. Plan and work in a constructive manner in attaining life
success;
2. Learn anticipate, and react positively to issues brought about
by developmental changes;
3. Express their uniqueness in diverse circumstances through
socially accepted integration of their thoughts, feelings, and
actions;
4. Respond with resilience to stress and be able to buffer
themselves from its negative impact on their functioning;
5. Develop effective kills in relating with others in order to
enhance abilities in establishing harmonious relationships;
11. 6. . Increase awareness of the self by identifying their
strengths and weaknesses;
7. Become mindful of the realities of life and be able to
apply effective principles of coping and be able to adjust
to the different experiences they encounter in life;
8. Learn to seek for more options or choices to be well-
informed before making a decision; and
9. Achieve autonomy from counseling as they learn life
skills.
The Goals of Counseling
The Goals of Counseling
12. One of the important goals of the counseling process is
to move the client toward proper and empowered self-
management.
Professional counselors are not trained to give you direct
advice or act as your problems. Rather, they listen to you
guide you to see the whole picture of your situation,
present options to you, and facilitate you making
informed decisions.
The counselor also introduces tools such as time, stress
management, and social skills that you can use to
manage and solve your problems
The Goals of Counseling
13. The Importance of Counseling
When you seek and accept the opportunity to consult a
counselor, you discover about resiliency and learn to aim for
emotional growth.
With a constructive perspective and reflective understanding
of yourself – your weakness and strengths, correct and
incorrect responses, and misaligned understanding of your
situation – you earn a broader perspective and
understanding of your situation.
Counseling programs aim to provide preventive measures to
clients.
14. The Nature and Scope of Counseling
Counseling deals with a myriad of human concerns. The following
are general classifications of problems and reasons why clients
need to consult counselors:
1. Academic Difficulties – these include the students’ difficulties in
accomplishing various requirements and meeting the standards of
education, adjusting to teaching methods used, handling academic
pressures, maintaining good grades, managing time, learning how
to focus, and ensuring effective study skills.
2. Personal concerns – these involve the difficulties that counselees
encounter in planning and setting their goals, handling stress,
sustaining their motivation, making informed decisions, identifying
priorities, and solving problems.
15. The Nature and Scope of Counseling
3. Social concerns – difficulties encountered by counselees in relating
with others include dealing with rejections, handling peer pressure,
coping with the challenges of romantic relationships, and bullying.
4. Emotional difficulties – problems related to clients’ emotions
include dealing with anxiety, nervousness, and heartache; coping with
loneliness due to homesickness and rejection; managing negative
emotions such as depression, anger, and fear; and attaining
emotional stability.
5. Psychological challenges – these include handling persistent
suicidal behaviors; managing some forms of addiction such as
smoking, drinking, and computer gaming; dealing with eating or
sleeping problems; understanding one’s identity; and handling
painful experiences.
16. The Nature and Scope of Counseling
6. Family Problems – clients’ primary concerns usually
involve separation of parents, absence of parents due to
work abroad, single parenting, infidelity of parents, hostile
parenting favoritism in the family, pregnancy and
parenting, and unpleasant home environment.
7.Career-related concerns – primary career – related
concerns include difficulties in identifying one’s strength
and interests, lack of career goals and plans, uncertainties
in job application, application with career choices
(Hurlock, 1980).
17. The Nature and Scope of Counseling
Counseling focuses on assisting individuals of all
ages in all stages o development, assuring that
they will be able to make wise decisions in life and
find meaning, purpose, and actualization in what
they do.
Thus, counseling promotes personal growth and
anticipates problems for prevention
Counseling is different from guidance and
psychotherapy.
18. The Nature and Scope of Counseling
Guidance is focused on helping clients determine what
they value most, and from there choose the path they
want to pursue.
Counseling is one of the services provided in order to
guide students in better understanding themselves and
striving for change improve their lives’ circumstances.
Counseling deals with more encompassing concerns so
that all efforts exerted in the process should end in self –
empowerment and self – reliance.
19. The Nature and Scope of Counseling
Psychotherapy is the practice of assessing,
diagnosing, and treating mental health problems.
If a counselor encounters cases that are beyond his or
her professional expertise, then he or she refers the
client to other mental health practitioners who are
advanced and specialized training such as
psychiatrists, who can be prescribe medications, and
clinical psychologists, who may provide
psychotherapy.
20. Principles of Effective Counseling
Effective counselors do not give advice.
Counselor will objectively evaluate your situation, views, and
responses to help you better. He or she will never impose his
or her personal values on you. But he or she will collaborate
with you in identifying possible solutions to your problems.
Effective counselors exhibit a degree of respect, motivation,
and encouragement that will allow you to gain confidence to
act on your situation. He or she will help you realize the
value of taking responsibility for your actions, words, and
decisions, as well as their results of repercussions.
21. Principles of Effective Counseling
In counseling, effective counselors will remind you that you are an
indispensable individual whose right should be respected. Your
counselor will also emphasize your good qualities and my try to
push you to your limits, so you can fulfill your potential. You will
also be encouraged to exercise and improve your capacity to think
and make decisions.
One important element in effective counseling is the clients feeling
of unconditional regard. This means that your counselor will be
very respectful and accepting of your own insights and personal
feelings about your situation.
Counselor is bound by the principle of privacy. “kept in full
confidentiality”
However, If there is a threat or danger to your life, your counselor
may inform your parents and concerned authorities about
pertinent information to ensure your safety.
22. The Core Values of Counseling
Your values constitute your beliefs, which in turn affect how you view the people you deal
with and how you understand your situation. Hutchinson (2014) offered a synthesis of moral
values for effective counseling. These include the following:
