By Prof. K.M NarayanSLN College, Bangalore

NEED FOR COUNSELLING

Introduction

Counselling is a process, which takes place in a one-to-one relationship between the

counsellor and the client. Counsellor should not take the responsibility for the client’s

choice and behaviour but give proper assistance to the client which will enable him to

make rational choice and take responsible decisions.

One generation ago the word counselling was unheard of. It is also true that the

lifestyle have changed considerably in the past few decades & there is much more

pressure to perform, competition is intensifying in all walks of life

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It is said that round the globe, more people go to bed hungry for ‘kind word’ than the

number of people who end the day hungry for food, we all need someone who is

willing to ‘listen’. There is definitely a vacuum in the area of emotional support that

needs to be fulfilled in by all of us.

College students, the cream of the society and these adolescent populations are under

tremendous pressure as they are expected not only to succeed but also to become toppers in

their class and course.

Adolescents show a need for affection & attention, rejected adolescents are likely to

encounter difficulties in many ways.

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Counselling in Colleges

Many students exhibit emotional and behaviour problems. The entire country has around three thousand qualified Psychiatrists.

Their time is valuable and they would rather concentrate on mental illness.

Only a few colleges provide counselling service through trained counsellors

Majority of student community are badly in need of counselling to overcome their abnormal

behaviour.

Adolescent wants to establish an identity, rebellious to the elders advice.

Adolescents are generally restless & may easily get dissatisfied with the environment.

Adolescents want to discover & seek or experiment new activities.

A mentally healthy person is one who has a wholesome & balanced personality, free from

inconsistencies, emotional tension & conflicts.

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Role of College in developing mental hygiene

Every teacher has a responsibility for shaping & influencing the students’ attitude towards a

wholesome personality.

Every student has to be encouraged to understand the value of the education and enjoy the

process of learning.

The adolescents should be made known that “knowledge is power”, which helps them to solve

their problems and attain their goals.

Increase client’s acceptance of self confidence/ self esteem.

Help the client arrive at & choose the desirable & most appropriate alternatives or action &

behaviour.

Counselling is not ………Giving advice, offering solution, Taking charge of someone’s life.

correcting or reprimanding the wrong deeds, showing pity towards

someone in trouble.5

God has some extraordinary qualities which makes him an effective & acceptable counsellor like

He is always available – even at midnight.

He listens without interrupting & without giving any advice.

He is non-judgemental

He gives you importance & never ever compare with other & does not generalise your problem.

He has infinite patience.

He maintains confidentiality at all times & does not disclose the person’s problem to others.

Counselling process can be classified into three main stages:

1) Beginning stage

2) Middle phase

3) Ending phase

Qualities of a good counsellor

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Life skills education

WHO has recommended the following 10 life skills to be taught to all adolescents:

1. DECISION MAKING

2. PROBLEM SOLVING

3. CREATIVE THINKING

4. CRITICAL THINKING

5. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

6. INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

7. SELF AWARENESS

8. EMPATHY

9. COPING WITH EMOTIONS

10.COPING WITH STRESS

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Role of Student Counsellor

Make your student to realise that you do not represent an authority, but you are their friend

& as their well wisher ready to guide when required.

Teach them good communication skills; give them opportunities to express their opinion,

feelings & frustration.

They may regard you as an ideal person & try to live up to their expectations.

Identify the problem student as early as possible & give your time to discuss their

problems that is individually as well as with their parents.

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Developing coping skills

Understand the problem & the situation and develop abilities to face it.

Look around & identify people who can support & help you. Take their help.

Set attainable goals & prepare action plans which are realistic.

Share your sorrow, failures & frustrations with someone you like and dependable.

Find time in between in your busy schedules to relax through activities like

gardening, sports, music, travelling & other hobbies.

Do something beneficial for others. This will boost your self confidence.

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CONCLUSION

Student counsellor has a very important role in improving the quality of life. All of

us have acted as counsellors at one time or the other & felt good when we have

helped the person in difficulty to overcome or solved his/her problem by being

sensitive to others feelings & being empathise to them & showing a genuine desire

to reach out to those who are in distress.

The knowledge of counselling is necessary for parents to understand their children,

employers to get more efficient work or output from their employees, teachers to

facilitate their students, grow into more developed & confident individuals & prepare

them to face the life situations with confidence.

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One can achieve perfection in counselling only by practice. Counselling enables

the client to explore the different alternatives to find solution to the problem &

make him/her more capable of coping & move ahead in life.

Counselling is a continuous learning process which consists of reading, receiving

training, a never ending practice.

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The time to practice is NOW ……….

By Prof. K.M NarayanSLN College, Bangalore

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