DIASS

MODULE - 6
Value Rights, Responsibilities
and Accountabilities of a

Counselor
What is a counselor?
a Counselor is..

is a qualified individual who uses

counseling methods to help

people manage and overcome

mental and emotional issues.
Counselors provide
direction, support and help patients build
coping mechanisms that will guide
through their stressful situations. Their duties
also include listening to the clients,
asking necessary questions, and developing
effective strategies to improve their
lives. Excellent verbal and written
communication skills are essential, along with
the ability to coordinate with support
networks, government resources, and
community resources.
Rights
The core values of the counselor are a set
of attitudes and skills which have
a special regard for the integrity, authority
and autonomy of the client and are
firmly based on the counselor having total
respect for universal human rights and
for the person and cultural differences. Like
in all other licensed professionals,
counselor do have the rights as stated in
Republic Act 9258 or popularly known as
the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004.
 Guidance and
Counseling Act

Of 2004
RA 9258, more popularly known as the
Guidance and Counseling Act of

2004, is a law crafted and designed to

professionalize the practice of
guidance and

counseling in the Philippines.

The law also entails the creation of a Professional

Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling

who will then be mandated by this

very law to formulate the necessary rules and

regulations that will implement the

provisions contained within, in coordination with

the accredited professional

organization. The interim accredited professional

organization happens to be the

PGCA or the Philippine Guidance and Counseling

Association, Inc.
What then are the
requirements for one to
be able to apply for a
license under

this law?
• Be a citizen of the Philippines, or a foreigner whose
country has reciprocity

with the Philippines for the practice of guidance and

counseling.

• Not have been convicted of an offense involving

moral turpitude

• Be a holder of either a Bachelor’s Degree in

Guidance and Counseling or in

other allied disciplines, a Master’s degree in

Guidance and Counseling from

an institution in the Philippines or abroad, or a Ph.D.

or Ed.D in Guidance

and Counseling or Counseling Psychology.

Under Art. IV PRACTICE OF
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
of RA 9258 specific the

right of a counselor, as
follows;

Section 28.
Section 28
Right to Privilege Communication for Guidance Counselor. - A
certified guidance counselor who is allowed to practice
guidance and counseling in

accordance with this Act, without the consent of the client,

be examined as to any

communication or information which has been acquired

while attending to such

client. The protection accorded herein shall also extend to

the records and secretary

or clerk of a license guidance counselor, who may not be

examined concerning any

fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such

capacity.

Responsibilities
All clients are entitled to good standards of
practice and care from their

practitioners in counseling. Good standards

of practice and care require

professional competence; good relationships

with clients and colleagues; and

commitment to being ethically mindful

through observance of professional ethics.

Counselors’ responsibilities include:

• Assess patients through detailed conversations, interviews, and

observations
to determine the appropriate testing or examination.
• Diagnose patient’s mental and emotional disorders.
• Create effective treatment plans that include counseling, medication,
or
other services.
• Work with patient and develop goals.
• Regularly discuss the treatment plan with the patient to identify faults
or
room for improvement.
• Educate appropriate coping mechanisms to help patients through
tough
situations.
• Record the patient’s progress and change their treatment plan when
needed.
Accountability
A. Counselor towards its
Client/s
Confidentiality
It is the counselors’ responsibility that
the client has the

confidence in that everything in the

counseling relationship is built on a

foundation of trust that their personal or

any other disclosed information is

protected from inappropriate disclosure

to others.

Privacy
At all times the counselor must
make sure that the counselling

relationship is protected against

uncontracted or inappropriate
observation,

including interference or intrusion

by others.

B. Counselor
towards other
profession
• Counselor shall become knowledgeable
about colleagues and develop positive

working relationships and communication

systems.

• Be respectful of differing approaches to

counseling services as well as the

traditions and practices of other professional

groups.

• Work to develop and strengthen relations

with interdisciplinary colleagues.
 Thank
You
For
Listening