Role of Counseling
Counseling entails giving professional support to a client who is experiencing a personal challenge, with the aim of promoting their well-being and personal growth. For counseling to be effective, a trusting relationship between the counselor and his/her client has to be built and sustained. The competency-based approach provides effective avenues for the breeding of this kind of relationship. This approach requires a guidance counselor to demonstrate competence in three core areas; i) knowledge; ii) counseling skills; and iii) ethical and professional attitudes and practice, each of which is subdivided into specific components. However, the three competencies above do not work independently; rather, they qualify each other to give every counselor a unique integration.
Knowledge
A practitioner ought to have knowledge of;
factors that influence distress and well-being systemic and contextual social, biological, and family factors affecting human conditioning
The nature of cultural and human diversity, particularly in the context of such factors as sexuality, religion, language, educational level, ethnicity, gender, and age.
Theories underlying the leadership and functioning of experiential groups, as well as psychotherapy and counseling
The psychology of life span development, and factors influencing personal development;...
t; and how they both relate to counseling
Research on effective practice, and any developments within the context of practice setting
Counseling Skills
In their practice, guidance practitioners ought to exercise a number of professional skills, including;
Employing counseling modes that are based on the psychology of life span development, and the counseling theory framework
Addressing clients' concerns within their knowledge and skill levels
Prioritizing issues, and hence being able to summarize and structure sessions in a way that best achieves the desired outcomes
Being able to monitor and evaluate a client' progress
Assisting clients to develop a sense of self-worth
Assisting clients or client groups in dealing with conflict effectively
Being able to assess and make decisions on the cultural relevance of resources when dealing with different clients
Being able to identify resources that best respond to a client's needs
Being able to maintain calm and composure when faced with client distress
Being able to evaluate the effectiveness of overall outcomes
Ethical and Professional Attitudes
In their practice, guidance practitioners ought to demonstrate a number of competencies, including;
Resolving ethical dilemmas…
