COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE: WHAT IS IT AND

WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL ?

~ DR. LALIT KISHORE

Students need Counselling and Guidance (CG) Students need help of experienced

associates and specialists as mentors in meeting problem situations

A gratuitous CG, advice and help is required for one is in problem situation

A person trained in CG skills can help others to modify behaviour

Counselling: What?

Counselling = Problem study and analysis + Advice and guidance + mentoring and support for behaviour modification

Current problem of counselling Complexity of human nature Exiting chaotic situation due to

~excessive consumerism ~technological invasion in life~media onslaught~lack of role models~lop-sided education with emphasis

on information acquisition.

Emotional mal-adjustment

Has deep-seated cause(s)Regular show of feeling of …

~resentment, ~insecurity, ~rebellion towards authority

Social mal-adjustment

Anti-social attitude through ~non-cooperation, ~aggression, ~lying, ~vandalism, ~extreme withdrawal, ~compulsive steeling, ~inflicting harm

Welfare of both individual and society endangered.

Services of psychiatrist needed

Consequence

The current living and learning situation has given rise to two kinds of adjustment problems

~Social or relationship problems~Mental problems of stress and worry~Emotional problems

Hence there is a need for counselling and guidance to students in institutions

General counselling activities Confer with students, teachers, and parents

on problems pertinent to the school life of the individual.

Counsel with students who are maladjusted emotionally and socially

Liaison with school and community resources Reports and records regarding individual

cases. Advise on home and school environmental

factors and organising special progmmes for emotional and social well-being of students.

Mental and emotional hygiene (MEH): Essential parts of CG

Interpret mental and emotional and hygiene and health concepts (mental and emotional sublimation) to students, teachers and parents.

Analysing school conditions which may producing tensions or stress

Participate in community and capacity building activities on CG and MEH

Guidance towards self-discipline No punitive action Correction, support and mutuality Use of therapies and techniques of SOL

and other self-development programmes Training in introspection and self-

management. Cleanliness and health preservative

habits Maintaining a personal journal

Couselling modes

*Individual counselling ~Interviews ~Discussion ~Attitude and aptitude tests ~Individual SWOT analysis*Group counselling ~General growing up problems ~Welfare of the self and others ~Pro-social skills ~Group processes: Debates, quizzes,

discussions

Health services

Routine and special health examination of students and staff

Oral health and dental check up Screening tests – audiometric, eyes,

scalp, skin First aid Follow-up: referral to parents,

specialists Inservice training for health staff

Services to differentally-abled children Identification and listing Speech correction Psychiatric diagnosis testing Transitional courses for mainstreaming Liaison between the school and special

education In-service training of teachers in special

education

Guidance services

Setting up a committee on Counselling and guidance

Preparation of an annual action plan Psychological testing Aptitude testing Vocational and career information Complementary development of students Workshops on parenting Counselling for students, parents and teachers for

educational social and personal problems Referral Home visitations In-service capacity building of counsellor

Roles of counsellor

Personal attention functionary School social worker School psychologist and psychiatrist Complete health personnel Resource manager Organiser of social work and community

service clubs Vocational, career and placement

counsellor A role model of good person

Sources of unsuitable career choices

Repressed desires of parents Family tradition Glamour Short cuts to wealth Influence of personalities Misleading occasional singular

successes

Career planning guidance

Gather information about student’s interests and potentialities

Interaction with qualified person well versed with available vocational opportunities

Series of interviews to exchange ideas for decision making

Final decision by the student after all pros and cons