Eastern Star Academy, Inc.

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Grade Level: Grade 12      Learning Modality:  Modular Distance Learning

  Subject: DIAS Subject Teacher:  Jhener Nonesa, LPT

Discipline and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences

Most Essential Learning Competencies

1. Discuss Roles and Functions of Counselors

2. Identify specific work areas in which Counselors Work

Duration: Week 3 and 4, 3 hours

Roles and Functions of Counselors

“Let’s Go Back”
To prove your understanding of the past lesson, you should be ready to accomplish this task. Directions:
Below are some questions. Answer on the space provided.

1. Why is it important for counselors to know and understand their personal values?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the essence of understanding that each person is inherently good?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. Why is it that effective counselors do not give advice?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
As we determine complex problems in the school, especially in this pandemic time, the roles and
functions of counselors in educational institutions are tested and challenges. Their predefined
roles and functions in the educational system makes their profession ever more needed and
recognized as they help and assist our learners during these pandemic times.

Roles and Functions of Counselors

Counseling is an intimate form of learning, it demands a practitioner who is willing to be an authentic

person in the counseling/therapeutic relationship (Corey, 2015). It involves the person to be immersed in
someone else life, and be able to give an authentic support and understanding, especially in the school and
clinical setting. Much in our country’s setting, where we have a young population. Counselors faced a
daunting task to understand this current population. And even in the pandemic setting, counselors are
defined by the roles and functions that they do, both in the clinical and school setting; and mostly
appreciated on the outcome that they produced for the benefit of their clients. Counselors have the duty to
their clients, especially if they come seeking comfort and care, counselors’ roles become more of a
responsibility to their clients. When counselors counsel, wounds are opened, feelings will be explored and
perception and growth will be secured as the counselor and client journey to wellness and back to
functionality in society (Corey, 2015).

Roles of Counselors
Here in the Philippines, Counseling is a profession (R.A. 9258 also known as the Guidance and Counseling
Act of 2004) that allows you to help others manage their responses to life’s challenges (Cleofe et al., 2015).
It is more just listening, its “active listening”; its more emphatic, it’s caring; the relationship of client and
therapist/counselor are guided by rules and regulations (Code of Ethics, R.A. 9258) so as to protect not
only the Counselors, but also the rights of clients. And as the counseling profession evolves, so do their
roles and functions to adapt in the changing times, to response to various changes such as, economic,
social and technological. And this changes also affects clients. Most especially in the academic or school
setting, the role of a counselor is important in the school to assist students in their academic well-being
(Cleofe et al, 2015). Some examples of these are the increasing number of students whose parents that
are overseas workers; the better facilitation of students’ learning by addressing their behavioral concerns;
progress in knowledge and use of technology in the classroom; and cultural diversity in the classrooms by
having students from either different regions in the country or different countries. Given this situation, the
guidance counselors are considered important members of the educational team. They provide assistance
to students’ academic pursuit, socio-economic need, career plans and moral development. In this way, the
guidance and counseling program ensures that students are able to cope well with their circumstances.
This results in nurturing students who shall be responsible and productive members of society.

Functions of Counselors
Erford (2014) emphasized that professional school counselors do not take rigid and static set of functions in
the educational system. This means that professional counselors perform their roles in a continuous state
of transformation in response to the current challenges. Therefore, professional counselors function as
follows:

1. Providers of individual and group counseling services. School counselors take an active role in
counseling groups or individuals. In a school setting, professional counselors are equipped not only in
helping individuals understand themselves, but also in providing correct evaluation of either behavioral or
clinical problems a student may have.

2. Developmental classroom guidance specialists. Professional counselors also prepare lessons and
implement guidance instructions to students. These are executed by developing clear and measurable
objectives to meet the needs of the students. To meet these objectives, professional counselors deliver
talks, seminars, workshop, and other interesting activities. Lastly, professional counselors improve their
programs and mode of instruction through consistent feedback and evaluation.

3. Leaders and advocates of academic success. Professional school counselors have an ethical
responsibility of promoting academic success by helping students identify barriers affecting school
performance. These barriers may be personal (example: living with an absentee or separated parents);
socio-emotional (ex. peer pressure); moral dilemmas (ex. failing an exam or cheating to pass an exam), or
career-related barriers (ex. indecisiveness about a course in college). Professional counselors guide the
students by identifying strategies so they can positively cope with these challenges and see these
challenges as opportunities for growth.

4. Career development specialists. Professional counselors also provide activities that will prepare
students for the demands and requirements of their chosen profession. These activities include formal
writing of resumes, having proper responses to job interviews and knowing appropriate clothing for job
applications. Furthermore, to ensure proper coping and success in the workplace, professional counselors
help students develop essential, basic skills such as effective communication, creativity, decision-making,
critical thinking, and work ethics.

5. Agents of diversity and multiculturalism. Professional school counselors are trained to deal with and
address the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds. For example, because of the ASEAN
Integration foreign students study in our country; counselors may provide assistance to these foreign
students through activities that allow interaction with Filipino students, aimed at helping them cope with
their new environment. At the same time, the counselor will also carry out a program for the Filipino
students, aimed at helping them demonstrate hospitality, respect, and understanding for their foreign
classmates.

6. Advocates of students with special needs and students-at-risk. Professional counselors give
attention to students with special needs-such as the athletes, honor students, students with absentee
parents, those with learning disabilities and other clinically diagnosed students. They are special groups
who need additional assistance to help them cope better-by providing comprehensive assessment
programs to better understand and address their special needs. For example, students with absentee
parents might have stronger needs-in comparison with students whose parents are always around-for
social and emotional support. With this, the counselor may help them become engaged in extracurricular
activities or he or she could even organize a symposium that will help them become more adjusted with
their situation. With professional counselors also concerned with the promotion of mental health, they could
also organize activities that will help students understand depression, anxiety, phobia or addiction.

7. Advocates of a safe school environment. Conflicts, which may lead to violence, happen in some
school communities. For instance, there are issues on bullying-physical, verbal, cyber, psychological, etc.
nowadays. Hence, a comprehensive school counseling program with intervention components such as
school bullying campaign and peer and mentoring can address this issue.

8. School and community collaboration specialists. To ensure student’s holistic development and
success, professional school counselors work in collaboration with the other school authorities and with the
parents of the students. For example, they cooperate with teachers to better assist students with learning
difficulties or behavioral problems. At times, school counselors are tasked to prepare seminar to facilitate
teachers’ better understanding of the personality dynamics of students. Though conferences, counselors
collaborate with the parents to best facilitate and promote excellent academic performance of the students.
Finally, counselors also collaborate with the mental health practitioners when a student needs referral. For
example, those with depression may experience hormonal imbalance resulting in depressive moods. To
provide proper response to the circumstance, the professional help of a psychiatrist or a clinical
psychologist is needed.

REMEMBER

The roles and functions of counselors have an impact not only in the developing and enriching policies in
the institution, but extends its reach to the community (barangays) and the society.

Their important roles extend not only on the learner’s realm of academic achievement, but also tackles
the emotional boundaries of the learner, as this also affect the holistic development of the learner

Counselors are also allied with mental health practitioners such as clinical psychologists and
psychiatrists in assessing the needs and problems of the learner. They are a great asset in helping the
counselor to efficiently help a learner succeed in life.
 Specific work areas in which Counselors Work

The scale of counselors in discharging their duties and responsibilities is sometimes limited on the work
areas that they focus. Mostly sometimes these overlapped with other mental health practitioners and
educators, especially when dealing with the student’s welfare. Nonetheless, their scope work covers a
broad area, and sometimes caters a lot of individual and groups so as to reach more and people may avail
to their services.

Areas of Specialization of Counselors

The scope of work a professional counselor covers a broad area. Some of the role’s functions require
specialization because counselors cater to the various needs of an individual. Appropriate counseling
services are provided given an identified need. Among the following are some work areas which counselors
delves and specializes:
1. School Counseling. School counselors help students at all levels to understand and cope with social,
behavioral, and personal problems. School or education counselors emphasize preventive and
developmental counseling to enhance students’ personal, social, and academic growth and to provide
students with the life skills needed to deal with problems before they worsen. School counselors often
provide special services, including alcohol and drug prevention programs, conflict resolution classes,
vocational counseling, and also try to identify cases of domestic abuse and other family problems that can
affect a student’s development. Counselors consult and collaborate with parents, teachers, school
administrators, school psychologists, medical professionals, and social workers to develop and implement
strategies to help students succeed. School counselors help students evaluate their abilities, interests,
talents, and personalities to develop realistic academic and career goals. Often, counselors work with
students who have academic and social development problems or other special needs.

2. Mental Health or Clinical Counseling. Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and
groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. They are
trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction
and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, and grief. They also help with job
and career concerns, educational decisions, mental and emotional health issues, and relationship
problems. In addition, they may be involved in community outreach, advocacy, and mediation activities.
Some specialize in delivering mental health services for the elderly. Mental health counselors often work
closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers,
psychiatric nurses, and school counselors.

3. Rehabilitation Counseling. These counselors provide counseling, guidance and case management
services to persons with disabilities to assist them in achieving their psychological, personal, social, and
vocational goals. After conferring with the client’s physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and
the employer, a rehabilitation program is initiated. The rehabilitation program may range from a week to
several years depending on the nature of the problem and the needs of the client. Rehabilitation counselors
are trained to recognize and to help lessen environmental and attitudinal barriers. Such help may include
providing education, and advocacy services to individuals, families, employers, and others in the
community. Rehabilitation counselors work toward increasing the person’s capacity to live independently by
facilitating and coordinating with other service providers.

4. Vocational Counselors or career counselors help individuals and groups with career, personal goals,
social and educational counseling. Many times, counselors in this field work with individuals who feel
unsatisfied with their career choices, but who are afraid to make changes because of emotional issues or
family or financial constraints. This type of counselor can work with people of all ages, from adolescents
who want to explore career options to professionals who want to make career changes. Career counselors
typically have a background in vocational, industrial, or organizational psychology.

5. Industrial Counseling. Counselors may also specialize in the industrial setting, where they could
provide workplace counseling to respond to the concern of the employees. Aside from counseling, they are
also tapped in other areas like training or professional development service or in other activities to help the
employees develop soft skills.

6. Marriage and Family Counseling. A marriage counselor is an unbiased third party who can help
couples resolve marital problems. Distressed couples seek the help of a marriage counselor when they
don’t want to divorce but aren’t sure how to compromise on various issues. Some pastors, churches and
religious groups also require that couples consult a marriage counselor for a specified period of time before
they can be married in that particular religious tradition. These professionals typically work full time. Some
have their own private practices and some work for health centers, religious organizations or in similar
settings. To become a marriage counselor, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree in psychology, marriage
therapy, family therapy or a similarly relevant discipline. You’ll also need to obtain a license. Licensure
typically requires clinical practice plus a passing grade on any exams required in your state of intended
practice.

7. Private Practice. Counselors may have their own wellness center or private clinic. The clinic can
accommodate children and/or adults, depending on the counselor’s specialization. For Example, a child
diagnosed with social anxiety disorder may seek help or psychotherapy during weekends, as a follow-up or
support program to the counseling sessions he or she receives from the school on weekdays.

8. Community Counseling. It is provided to members of the society who encounter difficulties in the
community setting. Counselors who work in the community setting are usually adept in the community’s
background, culture, or practices. They help the members of the community improve their relationship with
each other. Moreover, they are in charge of helping people adjust and understand their community better to
minimize issues.

Career Opportunities for Professional Counselors

Every area of specialization of counselors equates to a particular service targeting a particular section of
the society. It was design that way as to focus more on the society’s problem. And as every decade or even
years pass, the society changes it becomes complex and their problem also becomes complex. And this
provides opportunities for the next generation, our student who wish invest their future in helping the
society, choices to choose from. There are so many schools that are providing career opportunities
especially if you are already a counselor and wish to practice your field of endeavor, these are the available
areas in which you can practice or focus on.

1. Elementary and High School Counselors. Counselors can choose to be inside of the educational
system spending their in improving student’s academic and holistic performance, up until their graduation of
the developmental years, given that in the public school system, there is a shortage of counselors (Tan,
2009). Counselors working in the elementary and high school levels usually deal with preschool pupils to
grades 1 to 12 students. They provide individual and group counseling as well as homeroom guidance
sessions to support the academic, social-emotional and personal development of the learners. They also
provide career tests and psychological tests to assess the students’ strengths and weaknesses. Results of
psychological tests and other gathered data (those from interview with students, for instance) are utilized as
bases for improving the guidance program and services.

2. College Counselors. These counselors are focus on the different psychological and problem needs of
students in the tertiary level. Students taking the tertiary level, also undergo a lot of stress, brought by the
demands and requirements of college life; not to mention that the degree of stress varies from course to
course. Counselors are also tasked to implement comprehensive guidance programs. These includes
providing seminars for job hunting skills, how to ace job interviews and other activities relevant to the
student’s development after graduation. They also collaborate with administrators, students, professors and
other party stakeholders in strengthening their guidance programs and services to further support and
develop the students’ performance.

3. Teaching in the Academe. Counselors also have the chance to teach in the academe. They have the
opportunity to share their experiences, as well as, their expertise in the field of counseling and psychology.
Usually the people are also practicing counselors. It’s a versatile asset for any professor or educator to
practice and teach at the same time. It is an ideal desirable attraction for high school and college students
alike. Many schools are hiring practicing professionals, because of their years of practical experiences and
expertise.

4. Workshop Facilitator. Guidance counselors are equipped with competencies that address the needs of
diverse groups through facilitation of seminars and workshops. They can provide activities to address
issues such as mental health, career development, adolescents’ risky behaviors, resiliency, soft skills, or
any other topic concerning psychological conditions of individuals. 5. Career Counselors. Through career
counseling and career coaching, counselors provide opportunities and skills seminar for college students to
be more adept, flexible and ready to face the world of profession. May this be their first entry job, or
transitional job, the focus of counselors is to help student prepare themselves on the demands of the
industry. Through seminars and training soft skills in answering the interviews, they mark students with the
ability to cope and be flexible on the industrial demands.

6. Substance Abuse Counselors. These counselors usually work hand in hand with social workers and
the like. Usually in rehabilitation facilities and centers, they trained people and provide mental health
seminars, life seminars and health substance seminars, to understand how these drugs and other
substance abuse affect their way of life and how they can overcome and prevent the same problem. Their
academic training and preparation helped them to develop programs and interventions that will address the
physical and psychological well-being of clients. 7. Researcher. They are also researchers, conducting
experimental based-outcomes, problem based research, etc. They also identify the most effective activities
that will improve the conditions of certain individuals. They are in charge of the program evaluation and
development to further promote the cognitive, socio-emotional, and moral-spiritual wellbeing of individuals.

7. Researcher. They are also researchers, conducting experimental based-outcomes, problem based
research, etc. They also identify the most effective activities that will improve the conditions of certain
individuals. They are in charge of the program evaluation and development to further promote the cognitive,
socio-emotional, and moral-spiritual wellbeing of individuals.
 Eastern Star Academy, Inc.
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

DISCOVER
WORKSHEETS
Name:_______________________________ Module #______________________
Grade and Section:_______________________ Date:_________________________

Activity 1.1. Situational Analysis Objective: Determine the Roles and Functions of a counselor in given
situations Directions:
1. Identify what role and function is or not portrayed in given situations.
2. Provide the role and functions for each given situation. Provide explanation.
3. Answer the follow-up critical thinking questions.

Situation 1

Counselor Manabat only sees that students who have financial capacity, deserve to go to better schools.
So he organizes career orientation for students who are in middle class. He organizes a different career
orientation for the others who cannot afford.

Roles and Function: _____________________

Situation 2
For Counselor Domingo, the LGBTQ+ community and students who have multicultural backgrounds are all
accepted in a Catholic school. So counselor Domingo provided a seminar for all the incoming grade 11 and
12 students in the school.

Roles and Function: _____________________

Situation 3
The school is having a crisis of academic performance for grades 11 and 12 students. Their school is
having a NAT next month. The principal tapped the services of Guidance Counselor Morales for the
students’ improvement and development. Ms. Morales requested a meeting of both the parents, teachers
and other related parties to discuss some academic interventions and rehabilitation measures to promote
development of the learners.

Roles and Function: _____________________

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. Do you think that when counselors are also determining academic success, it goes beyond their roles
and functions? Should it only be within the expected boundaries of counseling? Defend your answer.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Is counseling strictly for students who have behavioral problems? Should relationship problems in school
count as an aspect to consider in counseling? Defend your answer.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think multiculturalism is a challenge for counselors and educators alike, especially in
achieving academic and career orientation?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4. Can you trust a counselor especially when discussing some of your problems in your family? Why? Why
not? Give your explanation.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5. Why do you think counseling should be a professional one, given that even teachers can also counsel
and give advice? Do you think teachers are also good counselors? Defend your answer.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Activity 1.2. Role-Play Objective: Execute some of the roles and functions counselors experience in their
previous or current institution. You can be the counselor and perform some of the functions of the
counselor.

Career Development Specialists = As a counselor I __________________

Advocates of Students with special needs = As a counselor I __________________

Providers of Individual and Group = As a counselor I __________________

Agents of diversity and multiculturalism = As a counselor I __________________

Directions: Below are some situational problems or topics that a counselor face every day. Your task is to
find what role or function should they perform in given situations. As an added task on the activity, write
whether the function or role is done on what setting; you may choose clinical, industrial or
school/educational setting. Provide your answer on the space provided.

Situational Problem Role/Function Setting

1. Typhoon Haiyan hit most of
the Visayan Regions. The PAP
and DOH send some of their
doctors and guidance counselors
on the barangays and
communities suffering of trauma
and stress
2. Jona is having problem with
her studies, she is very stressed
when answering her math
subject.
3. Teacher Melanie is having
trouble answering some of her
students’ questions about jobs
and professions to choose.
4. Every year, different schools
provide entrance examinations,
etc. for incoming students in the
college level.
5. Group of girls are always
having trouble because of their
misdeed of spreading lies and
verbal bullying
6. Counselor Moran is scheduled
to talk about the resolving and
bringing love back to Brgy. 78
Sapang Palay, Caloocan City.
7. A group of Chinese foreigners
are having problem adjusting to
the system of the school, not only
because the school is catholic,
the school also practices “po”
and “opo” in their school.
8. Margareth, had recently an
accident, rendering her half body
paralyze. As a counselor in the
facility, you see in her eyes
sadness and demotivated to
move on with life.
9. Mary a mother of a 10 years
old son with ADHD, is seeking
help on what’s best for her son
when it comes to education
10. Counselor Minerva is
delivering a seminar about
sexual harassment in their
school.
 DEMONSTRATE

Directions:
1. Match the area of specialization to the describe field of work they do.
2. Provide an example in which you think this could help in the society
3. Answer on the space provided.
Area of Description What Situational
Specialization Example
1. Mental Health Career counselors
Counseling who help
individuals
enrich their careers
in the industrial
setting. They
specialized in
providing
seminars in
decision-making
etc.
2. School They have their
Counseling own wellness
clinics in which
they invite or
people seek
consultation
privately about
their
problems
3. Vocational This is in the
Counseling educational setting
in
which they partner
themselves in the
institution helping
students to grow
their potential,
academic, etc
4. Community Counselors who
Counseling address and treat
mental and
emotional
disorders,
similar to
psychologists and
psychiatrist, they
 ensure
psychological
wellbeing of the
individual
5. Private Found in the
Counseling community in
which they are
partners of the
barangay in
helping
to understand the
community’s
background,
culture etc.

JOURNAL

Name: __________________________ Topic: _____________________________

Subject: _________________________ Week #: ____________________
Write your realization, understandings, and all things you’ve learned and experienced in
accomplishing the module. Write legibly.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
__________

Parent’s/ Guardian’s Signature: __________________ Teacher’s

Feedback:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________