Notes - Guidance and Counselling Manual 2021
Notes - Guidance and Counselling Manual 2021
Notes - Guidance and Counselling Manual 2021
COURSE OUTLINE
3. Theories of counseling
Psychoanalytic
Behavioral
Humanistic
4 Guidance and Counseling Services
in schools Orientation, informational appraisal
planning and placement,
counseling.
5. Approaches to Guidance and (Approaches to Guidance and
Counseling Counseling)
Crisis approach
Remedial preventive
Development at approach
GUIDANCE:-
Guidance has been defined as “a process of helping an individual understand himself and his world”
(Sherzer & Stone, 1976). It is also defined as “a process concerned with determining and providing for
the developmental needs of a group and at personal level” (MOEST Kenya, 1997).
From the definitions above, you realize that Guidance is an on going process aimed at assisting an
individual be aware of his/her identity, resources, and limitations in order to adjust well in life. One has
to be aware of his world in terms of the resources available to be used by the individual to exploit his full
potential, and lead a productive happy life. We all need guidance through out life.
Counseling is an interactive process involving the counselee who is vulnerable and who needs assistance
and the counselor who is trained and educated to give this assistance. The goal is to help the counselee
learn to deal more effectively with himself and the quality of his environment.
From these definitions you realize that Counseling involves a relationship between a counselor and client.
Through which the client is helped to explore his thoughts, feelings and behavior to gain self-
understanding that leads to decision making and taking relevant action to deal with the issues/problems.
Thus counseling is a process of empowering a person to solve his problems or “helping a person help
himself”.
Counseling is not a conversation- it is not simply two people, exchanging information and
opinions.
Counseling is not discussion- different points of view are not being argued.
Counseling is not an interrogation. The client is not being morally evaluated, pardoned or
absorbed by the counselor.
Counseling is not the giving of information – The client does not come to the counselor only for
information although information may sometimes be given.
Counseling is not about influencing attitudes, beliefs,behaviours by counselor – the client is not
persuaded, compelled, or threatened to change his attitudes to those of the counselor.
OTHER TERMS
Psychotherapy:- This refers to treatment by psychological means, problems of an emotional nature in which
a trained person deliberately establishes a professional relationships with the client with the objective of
removing, modifying and retarding existing symptoms of behaviour and personality growth and
development (Wolberg
U, L.R, 1967).
Psychoanalysis:- A method of treatment for mental and nervous disorders which was originally developed
by Sr. Freud. It consists of analyzing motives and feelings which have been repressed and helping the
individual to redirect his energies in a more constructive manner.
Psychosomatic illness:- A physical illness which is caused by an emotional disturbance.
Frustration:- Refers to tension or imbalance felt by an individual when talking about human needs and
defence mechanisms. There is a delay or blockage in the event of a need. It’s a feeling which one
experiences when one is unable to satisfy his desires.
Guidance and Counseling are like the two sides of the same coin. There are similarities between the two
process.Olu Makinde (1984) advanced the following distinctions between Guidance and Counseling as
follows:-
GUIDANCE COUNSELLING
1. Guidance is the “body” of psychotherapy. 1. Counseling is the “heart of
Psychotherapy.
As noted earlier, there are similarities between the process of Guidance and that of Counseling as follows:-
1. Both Guidance and Counseling assist individuals understand themselves and their worlds.
2. Both processes help individuals to find solutions to their problems.
3. Both are concerned with individual’s personal development and individual’s behavioral process.
4. Both are based on the recognition of the dignity and worth of the individual client as well as his/her right
to make choices.
5. Both are oriented towards co-operation and not compulsion.
Provides Educational Guidance to enable students select subjects/courses realistically for future careers
and for high academic performance.
Vocational Guidance is also provided to help students choose careers wisely considering their strengths,
limitations and their interests.
Guides students on vocational pursuits such as co-curricular activities, to occupy their leisure time
constructively.
For moral well-being students are helped to adhere to school rules and accepted code of conduct.
Assists students in their interpersonal relationships, students come from heterogeneous backgrounds and
they need assistance in order to attain proper social adjustment. (Orientation services assist in this area).
Provides health Guidance to equip students with information to enable them make a choice to promote
good physical and mental health. Issues such as drug abuse, STI’s,/ HIV/Aids, proper diet and hygiene
are addressed.
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
Provides counseling to help students with personal problems emanating from family, friends, painfull
memories,inferiority, low self esteem,loneliness etc.
Civiv Guidance is also provided for students to understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
1. The study of Guidance and Counseling helps the teacher understand sources of frustration among
student.
2. Enables teachers to assist students adapt to frustrations without over using defense mechanisms.
3. The study helps teachers to assist students with social, biological or moral issues.
4. Teachers are able to guide students to set realistic goals and attain them.
5. Assists teachers to be able to assist students in their vocational aspiration.
6. Helps the teachers understand the changes taking place in society i.e social, economic, political etc to
be able to adapt and accommodate them as well as help the student adjust.
7. Teachers are equipped with skills and attitudes that enable them counsel students individually and in
groups.
The following are some of the goals that guidance and counseling aims to achieve:-
1. Promote human welfare, reduce discomforts and facilitate all round development of an individual.
2. Understand human behaviour and help individuals/groups understand their own behaviour and process
of behaviour change.
3. Bring about and maintain mental and physical well being thereby releasing energy for creative living.
4. Increase persons sense of worth (self- esteem) or self regard so that one prizes himself and accepts
oneself. The handicapped are accorded special concern to create a sense of dignity and self-worth.
5. Develop rationality, giving rise to logical and correct thinking.
6. Develop personal responsibility enabling the individual accept full responsibilities of his/her own
behaviour.
7. Help individuals develop capacity for good interpersonal relationship, by being aware of self-
respecting and being mindful of others.
8. Develop a democratic personality structure with the ability to respect the views and opinions of others.
9. Establish a sense of trustworthiness based upon ethical living having honesty, integrity etc.
10. Show concern for socially and economically disadvantaged through support and counseling for better
adjustment.
11. Concern for preventive measures in moulding. individuals through sex education, drug abuse
information etc.
12. Train personnel in methods and skills of counseling to improve the state of humanity.
13. Carry out research to improve the services of Guidance and counseling.
In this topic, we are going to focus on how formal Guidance and Counseling evolved in the developed and
developing countries. We shall also compare the formal Guidance and Counseling with the traditional one.
The formal Guidance and Counseling was first concepturealized in the U.S in the 17 th century. It was started in
response to various problems such as poor working conditions, economic and political problems, immigration,
child labour, and increased crime. Several stages in evolution of Guidance and Counseling came up to address
these problems. These included:
The founder, Clifford Beers (1909) was a wealthy Young man who became interested in problems of mental
health. After, confinement for mental breakdown. He wrote a book “entitled” A mind that found itself.
Through his book he highlighted to the public the deplorable conditions in mental hospitals and aroused interest
in mental problems. As a result, institutions for psychiatry, psychotherapy, social worker and counseling to
help people adjust to their problems started. Personnel at work started also to look into the welfare of workers
This was started by Dr. William Heally (1909). Healy and his wife
( A couple) started a clinic in Chicago as a result of treating physical illness of children
from broken homes especially slum areas. They realized the need to treat both physical and
psychological problems of the children. Other child guidance clinics later started.
Alfred Bunnet developed the “Intelligence scale” in 1905 to measure IQ. This was a big
step forward in the development of measurement techniques that gave a greater degree of
objectivity to the process of Educational and vocational planning for children and young
adults. Bunnet stimulated the need for identifying and assisting mentally retarded children.
Since this development more standardized tests (psychological tests) have constructed to
measure intelligence, aptitude, achievement, personality values and vocational interests.
Modern Guidance and Counseling in developing countries can be traced back in 1959 in Nigeria. The
Catholic sisters at St. Theresa’s college Ibadan started to organize formal career guidance service for the
upper class students a few months before the school certificate examinations began. Like in U.S.A the
emphasis was on
Vocational information,
Awareness of the world of work
The need for these services was felt more due to rapid pace of industrialization, urbanization
growth and uneven distribution of wealth as well as start of universal free primary education.
The Catholic sisters felt the need for their graduating students to be informed).
The world of work and occupational information).
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
Being trained in human relations(personnel issues)
Guest speakers from various government departments and other officials were invited to give
lecturers and seminars to students on employment opportunities. This vocational movement
spread to other parts of Nigeria leading to formation of Ibadan careers council “in 1962 and later
the “counseling Association of Nigeria(CAN) was lauched in 1976 with Olu Makinde as the first
President”. CAN got affiliated to the American personnel and Guidance Association (APGA) to
draw inspiration strength and support. CAN also started a journal called “the counselor”
Since 1971 most universities in Nigeria started Guidance and Counseling departments to train
potential counselors for high schools and colleges. According to Makinde, guidance and
Counseling in the Educational system in Nigeria was a matter of concern. Many Educationists
thought Guidance and Counseling can be handled by any teacher even with no training in this
area. The career masters were just appointed with no training having no insight of the function
of a Guidance Counselor. This is similar to the Kenya situation as we are going to note.
In Kenya formal Guidance and Counseling are concepts of the 70’s. The Guidance and
Counseling unit was started in 1971 in the Ministry of Education after a conference in 1967 on
careers. Teachers, Educators and employers met to determine the criteria for selecting school
leavers for public and private jobs.
In 1984, a circular was sent to all heads of secondary schools instructing them to start Guidance and Counseling
units/departments. The heads were to constitute guidance and counseling committee composed of 6-8
interested members of staff for the following functions:-
The concepts of Guidance and Counseling have been in existence as long as humanity has lived. Through the
ages people have sought to understand themselves, offer counsel/advice assist in developing potentialities and
getting aware of the opportunities in life. Elders and chiefs were sought by the youth for Guidance although
they did not elaborate on career guidance since there were limited occupational opportunities. The youth
assumed roles based on age and gender. Skills were handed down through on job training (apprenticeship) e.g.
potters, medecinemen, blacksmith. Preventive approach was mainly used in traditional Guidance and
Counseling geared towards avoiding suicide, irresponsible behaviour etc.
It was done in a casual way as people went on with usual routines like cooking, cultivating, grazing etc. During
festivals and ceremonies, in initiation rites, marriage/weddings, funerals etc guidance was given.
Some of the goals of traditional Guidance and Counseling were; educating children on acceptable behaviour,
about their religion, to teach youth to be honest being involved in economic social cultural activities, relating
with others especially members of opposite sex, preparing for initiation, marriage and adult life. Youth were
also trained to control their emotions and exercise self-control.
The agents of traditional Guidance and Counseling were: parents and members of extended family, elders, peer
group members, those in authority like elders, chiefs, traditional doctors, palmists, soothsayers/fortune tellers
and astrologers were also sought for advice. The methods used in the traditional guidance and counseling
included oral explanation like story telling, proverbs/riddles, songs and dances during festivals or rituals and
also visits to grand parents, uncles, aunts, medicine men etc.
??? Can you compare traditional Guidance and Counseling and the formal Guidance and Counseling????
The following are some skills used by traditional practioners as compared to modern Guidance and Counseling:
1. Invitation- The traditional practitioners knew when to invite people for guidance and
counseling while modern counselors wait for clients in the office.
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
2. Knowledge. Traditional knew the culture; people’s background- had an idea of prevailing
issues- modern live in a complex society.
3. Use of local language:- This helps to release tension and makes communication better.
Modern counselors use foreign language mostly, hindering clear communication.
4. Non-verbal communication:- The traditional counselors understand these well as they come
from same cultural background with client. Modern counselors may not understand non-
verbal communication from all clients.
5. Interaction:- Traditional counselors were interested in the questions “why and how” to get
out of a problem, but modern counselors are interested in what happened e.g. psychoanalysis
that focuses on past experiences.
6. Social skills:- Traditional counselors were familiar with the customary behaviour in the
community they belonged to makling it easier to establish ropport with client. Modern
counselors might be ignorant of the social skills of different ethnic groups.
Note that the traditional Guidance and Counseling was offered to all at no charge(except
medicine men who would charge affordable fee inform of goods). Modern counselors are
not accessible by all people who need help and they charge for their services since it is a
profession for them.
TOPIC 3
THEORIES OF COUNSELLING
Theories are reasoned suppositions put forward to explain facts or events. They are explanations of the general
principles of art or science. Theories help us understand a phenomenon or behaviour. Theories of counseling
are derived from theories of psychology. These theories help us to be able to predict behaviour understands the
emotional problem a client might have and also how the client’s behaviour can change.
A counselor has to choose a counseling theory that will guide his practice in order to deliver counseling services
effectively. There are many counseling theories but we shall only focus on three, namely:
Psychoanalytic theory
Behavioral theory
Humanistic theory
This theory was advanced by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). It is considered the first force/thrust in attempting to
understand the human mind and behaviour. Psychoanalysis involves analysis of the unconscious motivations
that influence behaviour.
KEY CONCEPTS
GOALS OF THERAPY
TECHNIQUES OF COUNSELLING
1. Free association
The client is allowed to talk freely anything that comes to mind however illogical, painful or
irrelevant it might seem. Freud called this, talking cure or catharsis.
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
2. Analysis of dreams
Freud viewed dreams as the royal road to the unconscious. The client narrates the dreams he/she has
had and the therapist assists in analyzing them though there is no universal interpretation of dreams.
3. Analysis of transference
A client might attach feelings he has for another person to counselor. The counselor’s role is to
facilitate that transference as it helps the client ventilate some emotions like anger, making the client
feel better. Note that a counselor might also attach some feelings for another person to a client. This
is called counter-transference. The counselor has to be aware of this feeling, otherwise it can affect
the therapy.
4. Analysis of Resistance
The client might have experienced some painful events in the past which are repressed in the
unconscious. There may be resistance when trying to get in touch with those painful experiences.
The counselor has a role to break that resistance.
Freud said that there is no slip of the tongue. What comes out as a slip of the tongue is infact, the
unconscious getting access to the conscious.
BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
These were advanced by B.F. Skinner, John B. Watson, Albert, and Bandura Ivan Pavlov among
others. The behavioral approach is regarded as the 2nd force/thrust in psychotherapy. There are four
behavioural theories namely:- classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning and
cognitive behaviour theory. We are going to focus on the first three theories.
KEY CONCEPTS:-
1. Behavour is learned
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
2. Behaviour can be unlearned
3. Behaviour can be relearned
4. Behaviour is the problem not the symptom.
5. Human beings are both products and producers of the environment.
GOALS OF COUNSELLING
1. Classical Conditioning
2. Operant(instrumental) Conditioning
Operant means that all organisms works in a given environment, resulting to some
consequences. It is instrumental because there is sorely responsible for generating rewards
for its behaviour. B.F. Skinner advanced this theory after experimenting with rats. A rat in a
box stepped on a bar of a food delivering system accidentally, causing food pellets to come
out. The rat continued this action to get more food. Similarly human beings have to learn to
operate in their environment (home, school, work, town) in order to receive positive
consequences. For instance a husband may show love to the wife to create a satisfying
relationship. Thus behavioral counselors will teach clients techniques that will help them
operate on the environment to get what they want.
Albert Baudura developed this theory. Social learning refers to observational or imitation
learning. An individual learns in his environment as he/she interacts and observes others.
Social learning guides ones behaviour to comply with societal norms values and beliefs.
This helps a person adjust well in society. Bandura experimented with dolls. Children
treated a doll the way they saw adults treat it. They learnt by observing similarly clients can
learn by observing the counselors. So counselors have a challenge to encourage this
modeling process by making every effort to be desirable models.
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
Techniques of Counseling
1. Use of systematic desensitization – This introduces the client to a feared object slowly until he/she
unlearns the fear.
2. Use of flooding. The client is exposed to the feared object in abundance to unlearn the fear.
3. Use of self-management techniques
4. Use of aversive therapy/stimulation. Behaviour is associated with painful stimulation causing the client
to unlearn it.
HUMANISTIC APPROACH
Carl Rogers (1902-1987) developed the person centered theory. Note that there are other humanistic theories
like get start theory, but we shall only focus on person centered theory. This theory is considered humanistic
because of the positive view of human being it holds. It emphasis on the respect and uniqueness of a person.
Key Concepts
COUNSELLING TECHNIQUES
There are not techniques per se but Carl Rogers proposed three core conditions that help in a therapeutic
relationship. These are:-
i) Empathy
ii) Unconditional positive regard
iii) Genuineness
Unconditional- positive regard means communicating a respecting, caring attitude to the client. It is being non-
judgmental and accepting the client’s feelings, thoughts and behaviour are not judged.
Genuineness- means being real or congruent during therapy. The counselor has to be himself, no façade to be
able to model genuineness to the client. These core-conditions help the client to be open to experience and
realize his potential in dealing with his/her issues.
TOPIC 4
Any guidance and Counseling program should encompass the major components. These are:-
i) Educational Guidance
This is the help given to students on choice of subjects/courses based on their
interests and abilities. Students are also assisted on academic problems such as
under achieving, poor reading techniques etc.
This enables the individuals to comprehend the world of works students are
assisted in choosing careers in line with their talents, interests and training and job
opportunities available. Each individual has to be prepared to participate in
occupations of economic and social value. All must be helped to appreciate the
dignity of labour so as to co-operate in the task of nation building.
These help students to adjust better in any new environment. As students are admitted in new
institutions many get lost socially and psychologically. Thus orientation services help the students to
adjust to the new physical environment, rules and regulations governing students conduct facilities in the
institutions, teaching staff and the Guidance and Counseling program in the school.
2. APPRAISAL/INVENTORY SERVICES
This involves collection of personal data of a student through interview, observation, testing, history etc
on each student. The information helps one know his strengths and weaknesses so as to make
reasonable choices. The analysis of this objective data also helps in understanding the client in order to
give realistic help in problem-solving or decision-making.
These services are aimed at providing students with better knowledge of educational, vocational and
social opportunities so as to make informed choices and decisions. Sufficient, reliable up-to-date
information assists one to make realistic decisions.
This aids individuals to get admission into a school, college, job or secure admission in hospital for
treatment. The students are helped in making necessary applications.
These are not direct services to the students/clients but they help the institution’s officials appraise the
program. Follow-up studies of past students and those still in school help evaluate the effectiveness of the
program. Research provides information on whether the students are being prepared for life in the institution
and outside.
5. COUNSELLING SERVICE
This service is the heart of the work of Guidance and Counselors. Counseling is concerned with
feelings, attitudes and emotional disposition of an individual about himself and the situation he is facing.
Counselor attempts to help a student better understand himself in relating to his present and future
decisions or problems. Rogers (1961) referred to counseling as a series of direct contacts with the
TOPIC: 5
Kottman (1977) came up with the following approaches that can be used in offering Guidance and
Counselling services.
1. CRISIS APPROACH
This involves taking action when a problem or crisis has already occurred. The counselor is
expected to use crisis intervention techniques to fix the problem for example after death of a loved
one, car, plan, or train crash/accident, rape etc. As a result of these problems trauma results which
need to be addressed through debriefing. Debriefing is a form of counseling that helps the affected
person(s) to express emotions caused by the traumatic incident. This help to process the painful
feeling of fear, anger, bitterness etc and the persona gets emotionally relieved.
2. REMEDIAL/REHABILITATIVE APPROACH
This focuses on measurable weaknesses and tries to remediate them. The purpose is to avoid
possible crisis in that particular area. It involves teaching skills and social skills that students do not
have, negotiation skills can be taught to assist in solving interpersonal problems.
3. PREVENTIVE MODEL
In this approach, the counselor tries to identify problems and prevent them from happening. These
problems can potentially affect large numbers of students. Prevention is mainly done through
dissemination of relevant information. Issues such as drug and substance eating disorders dropping
out of school, teenage pregnancies HIV/Aids etc can be addressed through the preventive approach.
4. DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH
The counselor identifies some specific skills and experiences that the students need to make them
successful in school life. It is based on student outcome, some of the skills that can be used are
teaching sharing information role playing coaching, tutoring, and counseling. The skills taught may
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
encompass all areas of student interest i.e. academic, social, spiritual, personal and vocational/career
domains. For example a student who is weak in social aspect may be given training in assertiveness,
to avoid being manipulated by others or to withstand peer pressure.
TOPIC 6
COUNSELLING ETHICS
Counselling, like any other profession has ethical standards to guide those involved in it. Ethical standards are a
framework from which to work. They consist of values such as confidentiality, competence and responsibility.
The purposes of a code of ethics are:-
1. AUTONOMY
The counselor has to allow the client to be independent and free to make their
choices .The client has a right as he/she wish even if others disagree. The counselor
does not decide what is best for the client neither does he impose his values on the
client. This means respecting the client’s decisions or choices.
II. BENEFICENCE
This refers to the counselor’s responsibility to promote the welfare of the client. Whatever is done in
counseling should be for the benefit of the client. For example, a counselor will operate within his level of
competence, and if he is not able to help a client he will refer the client.
III NON-MALEFICENCE
A counselor should avoid any harm on a client. He/She has responsibility to ensure the client does not
worsen through negligence or recklessness. A counselor is expected to practice within the limits of his
competence. A counselor has to observe confidentiality. If client’s information has to be used in research
or training consent of the client should be sought or the identity of the client should be sought or the
identity of the client should be disguised.
IV JUSTICE
V. FIDELITY
This means being royal or faithful to the client. It refers to promise keeping.
The counselor has to maintain confidentiality as promised, and keep the
appointments with clients.
TOPIC 7
Counselling is a dynamic process involving relation building and progressing in stages. Many practicing
counselors see counseling process as consisting of three stages. These are:-
Exploration
Understanding and
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
Action
Self exploration is aimed at helping the counselee identify the real problem. After the presenting the problem to
the counselor, the counselor may use his expertise. i.e. skills and attitudes to find out whether the presented
problem is the real problem. The counselor takes time to explore. The two questions assist the counselor in the
exploration stage.
Self understanding helps one get insight on the nature of the problem. Once one understands the root cause of
the problem.
Action refers to counseling plan on how to deal with the new insight gained from exploration and self-
understanding. Example:- James realized that he is losing temper too often and he wants to control it. In
exploration he asks what makes me get angry so many times? This helps him understand where he is in his
world with respect to where he wants to be i.e devices the steps to take in order to control his anger i.e action.
When a counselee comes for help with a personal problem he wants to change something in himself to solve it’s
attitude:- perception of self of others, haits of general change of behaviour.
There is no permanent solution to a problem without some change in the counselee. (Fuster 1998) to change
one has to go through the learning processes involving:- exploration.
EXPLORATION
Exploration means helping the clients articulates their concerns. It involves searching oneself or looking within
oneself to search for hidden motives, thoughts or feelings that clients may not be aware of.
To explore the client has to be helped to talk about themselves and their concerns in a specific and focused way.
The main questions in this stage are:-
Attending skills.
Core conditions (sympathy)
Unconditional positive regard and genuineness.
UNDERSTANDING
The understanding stage involves helping the clients develop insight into their issues. Clients are helped to free
themselves and their concerns in a near and more empowering light. Client is challenged to review and
question their current frame of reference and embrace more liberating perspective. Challenging helps client
face aspects of themselves and their concerns which they may be avoiding or overlooking. This stage involves
journeying deeper into oneself to clarify the impact of feelings, values and beliefs on the current behaviour.
ACTION
The action stage involves helping the client to plan the course action, implementing it and if necessary reefing
it. After self-exploration and understanding the client is more clear about his/her concerns. The client is then
ready to plan and take effective action.
Action planning involves a careful evaluation of alternative goals/strategies to reach the goal set. The action,
plan is initiated in the counseling session, but more of the implementation is done outside the session. The
transfer of learning to other settings is critical if the counseling goals are to be achieved.
Skills refer to the ability to do something well.i.e the expertise to perform an activity well (NB. Techniques are
more intellectual than skills. Therefore one has to be taught how to do or use the techniques.
ATTENDANCE
These social skills facilitate interpersonal interaction and provide a chance for counselee and counselor explore
each other. They communicate interest, guidelines and trust. Appreciate and practice them daily.
The counselor must be aware of the body language. We communicate more non-verbally i.e with body
language.
“80% of your interpersonal communication is through our body language and 20% with words”. To attend
physically- welcome counselee warmly, show interest and place of the meeting, ensure the room is clean,
well ventilated,
“You feel frustrated with yourself because you cannot succeed in brushing aside those thoughts and
study well as you would like to”
d) Questioning
In counseling one has to be honest or transparent. Your non-verbal and verbal communication is in accord.
Genuineness is being at one self. It means having no façade mask, having no defenses, you are an integrated
person. It involves being spontaneous.
You proceed from your natural feelings, dispositions or particular mood without constraints. You can share
personal experiences with clients though it is very confidential. You become a model for someone to imitate
but disclosure for a counselor should be done carefully only if it will help client.
g) Empathy
Its good as a counselor to have empathy for some one going through problems.
Its sharing the problem with the other person and you feel with them but you are
not doing anything to correct the situation so as to help the client feel his load has
been lifted. It can be referred to as “walking a mile in a client’s experience in an
intellectual way.
Roger says empathy is sensing the client’s private world as if it were your own
Without ever losing the “as if” “quality”. You ask client what he is feeling so that
you can feel with them and understand how they are feeling. Ask the client
whether what you are seeing is the person is feeling. A counselor tries to enter
clien’s frame of reference.
h) Self-Disclosure
METHODS OF COUNSELLING
INTRODUCTION
i) Individual counseling
ii) Group counseling
Whatever the method the counselor chooses to use should be the best in the given situation and that it will help
the counselee gain insight into his/her abilities, interests, aspirations and other personality traits.
A) INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING
It is an ideal method of counseling and involves one client and one counselor.
It requires more time (45 minutes – 1 hour) the client has a chance to sometimes choose a
counselor.
It is more confidential and private which helps the client to open up more and express the self
without fear because they are only two people.
It requires more trust by client in the counselor. There is close interaction between the counselor
and the client i.e. better understanding.
The client can trust one person to keep the information in confidence.
Counselor can concentrate better when dealing with one case.
B) GROUP CONSELLING
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
This could be one counselor to a group of clients or more than one counselor to a group of
clients.
It requires that the clients have a similar issue or problem.
For a group of counselors, their training skills should be the same and also their interests and
experiences.
The method could be informative e.g. giving general information to students on: education,
vocation, health, social and ethical issues, sex and sexuality relationships, HIV/Aids etc.
The clients must all be (easily) reached at the time and venue required.
Care must be taken to avoid hurting some people with regards to very confidential/personal
matters at the expense of others.
Members of the group and the counselors must agree on the issues to be addressed as a group.
( not private).
It focuses on thoughts; values purpose attitudes, behaviour and goals of an individual and the
total group.
It is necessary and potentially a significant part of all comprehensive guidance and counseling
programmes.
1. To help each member of the group to know and understand himself and others.
2. To enable individuals develop increased self-acceptance and a feeling of personal worth.
3. To develop social skills and interpersonal abilities which enable one to cope with developmental tasks in
personal and social areas.
4. To develop increased self direction
- Problem solving ability
- Self dignity and decision making skills and finally transfer these skills to use in real life
situations.
6. To learn to be an active listener who hears not only what is said but also the
feeling that accompany what has been said.
It gives a sense of belonging, acceptance and understanding of the self and others.
Groups are a way of life in schools i.e. positive and negative groups.
i Many clients can be dealt with all at the same time, saves time.
ii Issues that many fear to raise individually are discussed in general.
v) It is easier due to assistance from each other i.e. counselor and clients.
Note:
TOPIC 9
REFERAL SERVICES
Referral means transferring a client to another counselor or agency for further assistance or specialized help.
In a school situation a counselor may be faced with cases he does not have the competence to handle
effectively. Other cases require specialist in particular areas e.g. psychiatrist, lawyer. There are other cases that
are referred to agencies that offer financial assistance which a counselor cannot offer. Sometimes a client may
KTTC. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING NOTES
request to be referred if a counselor has relocated, or the client is not making any progress or the client may not
be comfortable with the counselor’s way of working. If a friend, or relative seeks counseling. Also if a
counselor gets attracted to the client or vice-versa, the counselor should refer the client.
There are other cases in a learning institution that requires referral such as:
Mental health services offered by psychologists or psychiatrist in Kenyatta National Hospital, Mathare
hospital and other private clinics.
Employment or placement agencies for those looking for full time or part-time jobs.
Available career directories and employment bureaus in the cities and main towns.
Rehabilitation centres for drug abusers such as Chiromo Lane, Red Hill place, Asumbi etc.
NGO’s, private and government organizations that offer bursaries, scholarships or financial aid e.g. HELB.
Family and marriage counseling services offered by private practioners and training institutes such as
Amani counseling centre, Kenya association of professional counselor (KAPC) and Kenya institute of
professional counseling(KIPC) etc
Pastoral or spiritual Guidance and counseling offered by religious leaders on issues of faith, marriage,
bereavement etc.
Religious leaders and social workers offer services such as conflict resolution, pre- marital and marital
counseling etc.
According to a circular from the MOEST inspectorate dated 6 th April, 1984 the Guidance and Counselling
Committee, the “Committee should comprise of volunteers members of staff with the Head as the Chairman and
the teacher counselor as the Secretary” 6-8 volunteers staff members depending on size of the school complete
the committee however, other teachers can also actively participate in the Guidance program by giving
recommendations, acting as resource persons or assisting in other aspects. However, from the situation of the
ground, the heads have many responsibilities so normally the Guidance teacher acts as Chairman of the
Guidance Committee.