Types of Counseling

There are three types of counseling used in school. They are (1) Directive
Counseling, (2) Non-directive Counseling and (3) Eclectic Counseling.
Directive Counseling: Concept
The authoritarian point of view is largely associated with the work of Sigmund
Freud. According to the Directive psychoanalytic theory, the client is ignorant and
unaware of the reasons for his difficulties or suffering which are deeply embedded in
the unconscious. Therefore, this approach is also known as counselor-centered.
Steps of Directive Counseling
Directive counseling involves five stages. They are as follows:
(a) Analysis: This involves collecting from various sources the data needed for an
adequate understanding of the client. This includes administration of psychological
tests, etc.
(b) Synthesis: This refers to summarizing and organizing the data so obtained, as to
reveal the assets, liabilities, adjustments and maladjustments of the counselee.
(c) Diagnosis: This stage is concerned with formulating conclusions regarding the
nature and the course of the problems exhibited by the student.
(d) Prognosis: This refers to predicting the future course of development of the
counselee’s problem in the light of conclusions as made earlier.
(e) Counseling: This is the most important and time-consuming step in the whole
process. The counseling involves assisting the student in self-appraisal, helping
him/her to plan a course of action and finally in establishing an adaptive life style.
Advantages of Directive Counseling
1. This method saves time.
2. In this type of counseling, there is more focus on the problem and the person.
3. The counselor can look the client directly.
4. Counseling focuses more on the intellectual aspects of the person than emotional
aspect of the personality.
5. In this process, the counselor becomes readily available to help which makes the
client very happy.
Limitation of Directive Counseling
1. In this process, the client is more dependent.
2. As the client is never dependent of the counselor, it is not an efficient best
guidance.
3. The counselor fails in serving the client to commit the mistakes in future.
Non-Directive Counseling: Concept
According to Rogers, the important thing is the helping relationship. In this
approach, the counselor provides an atmosphere in which the client can fully explore
his/her own thoughts and feelings freely without any fear of pressure. This is making
the counselee understand his/her potentialities the counselor acts as a catalytic agent.
This is also known as client-centered approach.
Non-Directive counseling Techniques
Non-directive counseling involves active listening by the therapist. Self-
acceptance is the key concept of nondirective counseling.
1. Listening
Rather than being an active participant in therapy, the therapist’s main job is to
listen to the patient.
2. Accepting
Unconditional positive regard-a vital aspect of nondirective therapy-enables
patients to feel safe, secure and accepted regardless of the things they have done. The
counselor does not judge patients by past mistakes.
3. Respecting and Understanding
The counselor not only respects the privacy of the patient, but also the patient,
but also the patient’s integrity, personal beliefs and morals. Showing respect and
understanding allows the patient to feel accepted y and trust the counselor.
4. Responding
The therapist’s role is to continuously direct the attention the topics back onto
the patient rather than responding to irrelevant questioning.
Advantages of Non-Directive Counseling
1. Focus is on counselee.
2. Focus on personality change.
3. Emphasis on counselor attitudes.
4. Consideration of emotions and feeling.
Limitations of Non-Directive Counseling
1. This method is time-consuming.
2. It is expensive. Non-directive counseling is mainly practiced by the professionals
and they require professional education and training. Training and education are
quite expensive.
3. Sometimes, it creates a weak situation as it returns the workers to the same
environment which causes the problem.

Eclectic Counseling: Concept

Eclectic counseling is defined as the synthesis and combination of directive
and non-directive counseling. It represents a middle status between the two extremes
represented by the non-directive technique on one hand and the directive technique on
the other.
Steps in Eclectic Counseling
In this counseling, Thorne, suggested the following in the process;

1. Diagnosis of the cause.

2. Analysis of the problem.
3. Preparation of a tentative plan for modifying factors.
4. Securing effective conditions for counseling.
5. Interviewing and stimulating the client to develop his own resources and to
assume its responsibility for trying new modes of adjustment.

Advantages of Eclectic Counseling

1. Does not restrict to one perspective so allows new ideas to be formed.
2. Combining methods is a useful way of validating ideas.
3. Strength of one method can be used to offset the weakness.
Limitations of Eclectic Counseling
1. Some people are of thee view that eclectic counseling is vague, opportunistic and
superficial.
2. Both directive and non-directive counselling cannot be mixed together.
3. In this, the question arises how much freedom should be given to the client? For
this, there is no definite rule.
4. The problem with an eclectic orientation is that counselors often do more harm
than good if they have little or no understanding about what is helping the client.