READING: 2

GOALS OF COUNSELING
 Establishing goals in counseling is important to help
counselors identify how they can help their clients. George
and Cristiani (1986) identified the following as the five
major goals of counseling:
 1. Facilitating behavior change
-Counselors want to help their clients modify their
behavior and move toward happier lifestyles.

For example, children may undergo counseling to help

them balance their time and improve their study habits.
 2. Improving the clients ability to
establish and maintain relationships

-Some clients stuggle to communicate with those around

them. Counselors assist their clients in overcoming this
challenge and fostering better interpersonal connections.
 3. Enhancing the client's effectiveness and
ability to cope

-Many people handle changes in different ways, and some

people may even find it challenging to adapt to new situations,
such as when a person goes through a culture change or loses
a loved one. Counselors want to help their clients through these
transitions.
 4. Promoting the decision-making process

-Counselors examine various aspects physical, social, emotional, mental,

moral, and spiritual while assisting clients with decision-making. Counselors
don't make decisions for their clients instead they just assist them in
recognizing their options and the associated repercussions, assisting them
in making well-informed decisions.
 5. Facilitating client potential and development

-Counselors assist individuals in realizing their full potential. They

support them in identifying and overcoming the difficulties or
impediments keeping them from achieving their objectives.

For example, a good basketball player gets easily distracted and plays
poorly. A counselor may help him or her identify the causes of this
distraction and the possible ways to overcome it.
SPECIFIC GOALS OF COUNSELING
GOALS EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Clients gain knowledge about people, processes,

Insight and events, which can further heighten their
understanding of themselves and their world.

Relating with others Clients learn how to establish "meaningful and

satisfying relationships" with the people around them.

Clients become more aware of their

Self-awareness thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Self-acceptance Clients gain a positive view of themselves

 Clients maximize their full potential and
Self-actualization
develop themselves as individuals rather
or individuation than just part of a group.
GOALS EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Enlightenment Clients reach a higher state of spirituality.

Clients develop problem-solving skills.

Problem-solving

Psychological education Clients attain an understanding of people's behaviors.

Acquisition of social skills Clients develop and enhance social and interprsonal
skills.

Clients modify irrational beliefs or self-defeating

Cognitive change
thoughts that hinder their development.
 Clients replace maladaptive behaviors that impede them
Behavior change from maximizing their potentials and hinder them from
building and maintaining interprsonal relationships.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Restitution Clients make peace with themselves for their
past mistakes.

Clients realize that problems are also rooted in

Systemic change social institutions and processes;thus, initiating
changes in these areas is also important.

Clients develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that

Empowerment can help them take better control of their lives.

Generativity and social action Clients are to think and do something for others.