Purpose of Counselling

Achievement of positive mental health

An individual is said to have positive mental health when he is able to relate meaningfully
with others and lead a fulfilling life. One purpose of counselling is to help the individual in
achieving positive mental health

Problem resolution
Another purpose of counselling is to help the individual to come out of a difficult situation or
problem. It must be remembered that the individual is only assisted he himself find solution
for the problems.

Decision making
Another major purpose of counselling is to make individual capable of making independent
decisions. The counsellor may assist the individual by providing necessary information or
clarifying the counselee’s goals, but the decision should be taken by the counselee himself.

Improving personal effectiveness

Effective person is one who is able to control impulses, think in creative ways and has the
competence to recognize, define and solve problems. The purpose of counselling is to
improve personal effectiveness.

Making Changes in attitudes and perceptions

For development change is always necessary. Counselling helps individual to make changes
in their attitudes and perceptions.

Behaviour modification
Another purpose of counselling is to help in modifying behaviour. Removal of undesirable
behaviour and learning desirable behaviour is considered necessary for attaining effectiveness
and good adjustment

Scope of Counselling
Counselling is a part of guidance, so it has also the same dimensions of scope as guidance.
Beside these, counselling as a specialized programme has some special needs also. Problems
and needs in society are not new. But today they seem to be proliferating at an unprecedented
rate. Counselling is required to solve a variety of social problems. Counselling is necessary in
different areas like Juvenile delinquency, Marriage, Weaker sections, Disadvantaged
groups, Drug addiction etc. Scope of counselling is very vast. It is concerned with various
problems and progress of an individual for example the planning relating to financial and
health problems, problems related to family, society and emotional adjustments.
Bragdon has identified certain situations where counseling is required.
 When a pupil requires not only reliable information but also an interesting
interpretation of that information which can solve his personal difficulties
 When a pupil needs intelligent listener who has more experience than the pupil, to
whom he can recite his difficulties.
 When the pupil has some problem but he is unaware of that problem, he is to be made
aware of that problem.
 When the pupil suffers the maladjustment problem or some handicap which is
temporary and which needs careful and diagnosis by an expert.

Counselling covers a very wide area. It may be summarized as following.

1. Children: concerns within the family unit, sibling relationships, school
experiences
2. Adolescents: identity, parents relationships, peer relationships
3. Adults: identity, relationships, vocation
4. Singles: single, newly single, single through divorce or being widowed
5. Gender: identity, sexuality, homosexuality
6. Career counselling
7. Educational progress
8. Workplace stress and relationships
9. Social and Emotional Adjustment
10. Financial and health problems
11. Anxiety
12. Anger management
13. Depression
14. Grief and bereavement
15. Sexual abuse recovery
16. Stress management
17. Marital dynamics and relationships
18. Extended family relationships
19. Divorce and separation issues
20. Remarriage relationship counselling

Principles of Counselling
British association for counselling and psychotherapy’s ethical framework for good
practice in counselling and psychotherapy presents six ethical principles which should be
followed by counselors and counselling trainees.

Being trustworthy
Honoring the trust placed in the practitioner

Autonomy
Respect for the client’s right to be self-governing

Beneficence
A commitment to promoting the client’s wellbeing

Non-maleficence
A commitment to avoiding harm to the client

Justice
The fair and impartial treatment of all clients and the provision of adequate services
Self-respect: fostering the practitioner’s self-knowledge, integrity and care for self