MEANING, FUNCTIONS, SCOPE, PRINCIPLES AND AREAS OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
I. Definition
Counseling Psychology is a study that helps people improve their well-being, prevent and alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better in their lives. It focuses specifically but not exclusively on normative life-span development, with a particular emphasis on prevention and education, addressing individuals as well as the systems or contexts in which they function.
It focuses on the “emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns” that normally impact daily lives.
It mostly addresses:
- school adjustment problems
- life transitions
- relationship difficulties
- learning deficits
- stress management
- organizational issues
- career moves
Counseling Psychology is for psychologically and emotionally healthy individuals. Counselors help clients work through emotional, social, and physical stressors in their lives that aren’t attributable to a diagnosed mental illness. These troubles are typically triggered by their relationships, jobs, or school and include family issues, substance abuse problems, and others.
Counseling originated from vocational psychology and has a strong educational element.
II. Guidance and Counseling
Guidance and Counseling are closely related and sometimes interchangeable. In learning institutions, guidance and counseling services are integrated into one office.
COMPARISON CHART
BASIS FOR COMPARISON | GUIDANCE | COUNSELING |
|---|---|---|
Meaning | Guidance refers to advice or a relevant piece of information provided by a superior, to resolve a problem or overcome difficulty. | Counseling refers to professional service given by a counselor to an individual to help him in overcoming personal or psychological problems. |
Nature | Preventive | Remedial and Curative |
Approach | Comprehensive and Extroverted | In-depth and Introverted |
What it does? | It assists the person in choosing the best alternative. | It tends to change the perspective, to help him get the solution by himself or herself. |
Deals with | Education and career related issues. | Personal and socio-psychological issues. |
Provided by | Any person superior or expert | A person who possesses a high level of skill and professional training. |
Privacy | Open and less private. | Confidential |
Mode | One to one or one to many | One to one; One to many |
Decision making | By guide | By the client |
Types of Guidance
- Educational Guidance
- Vocational Guidance
- Personal Guidance
III. Principles of Guidance
- Guidance is for all - Everyone is entitled to receive guidance services
- Guidance is a specialized service- Guidance can only be provided by trained and authorized professional
- Guidance is an organized service- It follows a technical and scientific procedure
- Guidance is a slow process
- Guidance is a continuous process- It spans the stages of human development
- Guidance is based on individual differences- Every client is unique
- Guidance is based on planning- Guidance programs and services must be well crafted.
- Guidance is based on educational objectives
- Guidance develops the insights of an individual - Introspection is encouraged
- Evaluation of guidance is a must- Guidance programs must be evaluated at least once a year to spot any gaps in the objectives and outcomes
RR GCA 2004/RA 9258
Republic Act No. 9258 also known as "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004"
Recognizes the importance of advancing and protecting the guidance and counseling profession by establishing preventive regulatory mechanisms and standards of practice.
Important Points:
Definition of Terms
Guidance Counselor - a person who has been registered and issued a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card by the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
Interim Accredited Professional Organization (IAPO)- refers to the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, Inc. (PGCA), an organization of guidance counselors granted by the Commission with a Certificate of Accreditation.
Rule III - Examination, Registration and Licensure
Section 12. Examination Required
All applicants for registration for the practice of Guidance and Counseling shall be required to undergo a licensure examination to be given by the Board and the Commission in such places and dates as the Commission may designate in accordance with Republic Act No. 8981, subject to compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commission
Section 13. Qualifications of Applicants
c. holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Guidance and Counseling or in other Allied Disciplines and a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from an institution in the Philippines or abroad recognized or accredited by the CHED.
Section 24. Denial, Suspension, Revocation of a Certification of Registration, Cancellation of Special Permit. - The application for registration and the issuance of a Certificate of Registration may be denied for any of these causes:
- (a) Conviction of an Offense involving moral, turpitude by a competent court;
- (b) Finding of Guilt by the Professional Regulatory Board for immoral and/or dishonorable conduct; and
- (c) Declaration by the court of the applicant as being insane
Section 27. Prohibition Against the Practice of Guidance and Counseling.
No person shall (a) engage in the practice of guidance and counseling without a valid Certificate of Registration and the valid Professional Identification Card or a special permit; (b) make representations to the public or to third person as a licensed Guidance Counselor during the time that the licensed has been revoked or suspended, and, (c) allow anybody to use his/her license as guidance counselor to enable such unqualified individual to engage in the practice of guidance and counseling