Theory and Practice of Counseling

Theory and Practice of Counseling

Introduction

No man is an island ' as a famous saying goes . And this is very true to someone who seeks a listener or a shoulder to lean on in times of confusion , as well as , in making major decisions in life . Indeed , humans cannot survive by themselves . That is why statistics on people seeking psychological and /or psychiatric help are even on an upward trend

Counseling is one person helping another as they talk person-to-person When you help a client make a decision or solve a problem

, you are counseling . Through counseling , a counselor helps clients make choices that suit them . For example , some clients are choosing family planning methods . Other clients are deciding how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases . Young clients may be choosing whether to delay sexual activity . All these clients can make better decisions with a counselor 's help

Counseling can be found in practically any organization , i .e . schools offices , religious organizations and hospitals , to name a few . This proves that humans need help for strengthening relationships , and that without one , may lead to a malfunction in their behaviors

What is counseling and what are the most essential characteristics of a helping relationship

Steadman 's Medical Dictionary defines counseling as "a professional relationship and activity in which one person endeavors to help another to understand and to solve his or her adjustment problems the giving of advice , opinion , and instruction to direct the judgment or conduct of another (Stedman 's Electronic Medical Dictionary , 1994 , retrieved from http /mentalhealth .about .com /library /gl /blcouns .htm . Undoubtedly anyone who gives help in terms of an advice or insight to someone especially who seeks it , has already performed counseling

A person who had a positive and enduring impact on your personal or professional life , someone worthy of being called your mentor characterizes a helping relationship . Someone who has been trained to serve in such a role or been formally assigned to help people in their particular requirements , such as beginning teachers cope up with their new assignments , further reflects a professional helping relationship (Rowley , 1999

In a school environment , many counseling programs are still operating under a student services model . The focus of counselors ' work is related to career planning and placement , problem solving , and class scheduling . Under this model , counselors are spending the majority of their time providing services to a small number of students who have the greatest needs . They are providing individual counseling services to the most needy students and are reacting to crisis situations as they arise (McGannon , et al . 2005

Other counseling services have also cropped up that suit a specific or particular need of a client . These include debt counseling , career development counseling , integration to society especially for those who have finished serving a prison term , and cross-cultural counseling , to name a few

But whatever the situation or whoever is need of counseling , no doubt the counselor should show great compassion and understanding , patience and love in utmost...