Definitions of counseling

R.PATTAMMAL

What is counseling?What is counseling?

• Counseling is an interaction which occurs between two individuals called counselor and client

• It takes place in a professional setting• It is initiated and maintained to

facilitate changes in the behavior of the client

To counsel is to advice…..To counsel is to advice…..

Individuals seek advice in variety of situations….

Parents, doctors, lawyers, social workers ministers as well as a host of many people give counsel

Definitions of counselingDefinitions of counseling

• A ‘popular definition is ‘Counseling is an interactive process conjoining the counselee who needs assistance and the counselor who is trained and educated to give this assistance”(perez,1965).The counselor can initiate, facilitate and maintain the interactive process if he communicates feelings of spontaneity and warmth, tolerance, respect and sincerity

Definitions contd…Definitions contd…

• Smith(1955) defines counseling as “ a process in which the counselor assists the counselee to make interpretations of facts relating to a choice, plan or adjustments which he needs to make.

• Counseling has also been defined as “ a process which takes place in a one-to-one relationship between an individual beset by problems with which he cannot cope alone and a professional worker whose training and experience have qualified him to help others reach solutions to various types of personal difficulties.(Hahn and Mclean,1955).

Definitions of counseling involve some or Definitions of counseling involve some or all of the following:all of the following:

• Two people are present• The process leads to action on the part of

the client• The counselor is a person who listens• The client can be entrusted to find their

solutions• Resolutions of problems is an

expectation

Counseling is not usually concerned Counseling is not usually concerned with:with:

• Advice giving on the part of the counselor

• Psychotherapy• Treatment of severe mental illness• Solving all life’s problems• It is not merely two people

talking…..talking. Counseling must always have a practical end.

• Pepinsky and Pepinsky(1954) state that counseling is that interaction which

• Which occurs between two individuals called counselor and client

• Takes place in a professional setting• Is initiated and maintained to facilitate

changes in the behavior of the client.

• Counseling is concerned with bringing about a voluntary change in the client.

• To this end, the counselor provides facilities to help the client achieve the desired change or make the suitable choice.

• The client alone is responsible for the decisions or the choices he makes, though the counselor may assist in this process by his warmth and understanding relationship.