Guidance & Counselling

Guidance can be explained as assistance made available by competent counsellors to an individual of any group to help him/her direct the life course, develop a point of view, make decisions and be better adjusted. Guidance does not mean giving directions, nor is it an imposition of one’s point of view on another person. The person, who is guiding another does not take the onus (responsibility) of making decisions on behalf of the client. We can see that guidance is more about assisting people to find their way rather than giving instructions or ready made solutions. Counselling is an interactive learning process in which the counsellor (sometimes termed therapist), helps the counselees (those seeking help) to understand the cause(s) of difficulties and guides them to sort out issues and reach decisions. The approach in counselling is holistic, addressing social, cultural, economic and emotional issues. Counselling can be sought at any time in life, although many people reach out only in times of change or crisis. The qualified professional counsellor speaks with the counselee in a way to help that person solve a problem or helps to create conditions that will cause the person to understand and improve life circumstances. Counselling may be concerned with addressing and resolving specific problems, making decisions, coping with crisis, improving relationships and developing personal awareness. It also involves working with feelings, thoughts, perceptions and conflicts. The overall aim is to provide counsellees with opportunities to work in positive ways so as to live with essence of well being as individuals and as members of the larger society.