OVERVIEW OF COUNSELING & GUIDANCE

Definition of counseling
Counseling denotes a professional relationship between a trained counselor and a client. It is
designed to help clients to understand and clarify their views of their life spaces and to learn to
reach their self determined goals through meaningful well informed choices and through
resolution of problems of an emotional or interpersonal nature.
Definition of Guidance
Guidance is a all-encompassing activity in which many persons and organizations take part. It is
imparted to individuals by their parents, relatives, and friends and by the community at large through
various educational, industrial, social, religious, and political agencies. A part of such guidance may be
the giving of information that enables others to increase the scope of their exploratory behaviour. The
guidance counselor, for example, may provide information about a persons own abilities and interests
as determined by psychological tests or about educational opportunities and the requirements of
various occupations.
Unlike the guidance provider, a competent counselor does not attempt to solve peoples problems for
them, however; he/she tries instead to clarify the persons own thinking.

Difference between Guidance & counseling

Both Guidance and Counseling are process used to solve problems of life. The basic difference is
in the approach. In the process of guidance, the client's problems are listened carefully and
readymade solutions are provided by the expert where as in the process of counseling the client's
problems are discussed and relevant information are provided in-between. In the end of the
counseling process, the client himself/herself have a insight to the problem and he/she become
empowered to take own decision.
Since readymade solutions (taking decision for others) were provided in guidance, the client may
or may not follow it but most often decision taken in the process of counseling are followed
sincerely
Goals of counseling
There are five major goals of counseling

Facilitating behavior-

Improving the clients ability to establish and maintain relationships

Enhancing the clients effectiveness and ability to cope

Promoting the decision- making process

Facilitating clients potential and development

The Role of the Counselor

The role of the counselor has changed in many ways over the past few years. The major settings
in which counselors practice have shifted from almost exclusively school and career counseling
settings to such areas as private practice, counseling centers and community health centers and
hospital/medical settings.
Counselors work with individuals suffering from substance abuse problems, eating disorders,
stress management concerns and various emotional/psychological problems.
Working with a team of mental health professionals that often includes psychiatrists,
psychologists and psychiatric nurses, counselors are typically the primary care giver and case
manager for patients.
Counselors are also involved in helping individuals with physical fitness and health habits, at
times in specific areas such as weight control clinics or physical exercise programs. Counselors
often deal with emotional/ psychological issues that may have interfered with positive health
habits or with providing the kind of motivation necessary to encourage an individual to develop a
healthy lifestyle.
The social need of the individual include family relationships, the work environment, friendships
and other activities/relationships that connect each person with the human community. These
relationships provide s means by which the indl engages in activities that provide emotional
support of other & help prevent the sense of loneliness that may lead to depression, low seldf
esteem, substance abuse and increased physical problems.
In many ways the focus on each of the four aspects (physical, social, mental and spiritual needs)
of the whole person relates to the goal of improving the emotional well-being of the indl.
Thus counselors engaging in a wider variety of activities designed to facilitate the total growth
and development of the individual.
An overview of the major areas include

School counseling- to help children with learning difficulties, special needs, realizing

their potential, substance abuse, child abuse, family problems affecting children.

Student personnel services in higher education services-counseling related services such

as admissions, student affairs, special programs for minorities, academic remedial programs,
career planning and placement.

Substance abuse counseling-Drug abuse is the consumption of any drug, whether legal

(alcohol), prescribed (especially tranquilisers), over the counter (such as diet pills and sleeping
pills), street corner and illegal. Abuse can occur with any of these drugs happens when a drug is
used improperly to enhance the effects of that drug in such a way that interferes with the normal
functioning of the individual.
Rehabilitation counselors
These people are specialists who work with individuals with disabilities in overcoming their
limitations and fulfilling potentials.
Mental Health Counseling
Mental health counselors work as part of the mental and health services team in hospitals, in the
diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and dysfunctional
behavior.
Business & Industry
Counselors work in businesses & industries in personnel departments dealing with employment
and labor dispute problems. Besides employee assistance programs, career development
programs, team building workshops are conducted by counselors.