Counselling

Counselling Definition

Counselling is defined as the process of guiding an individual through various stages of life when they need to make reassessments or decisions concerning themselves and their life course. While often allied with psychotherapy, counselling is generally less clinical in focus, concentrating instead on responding to normal life events that may cause stress for some individuals, prompting them to seek support from a professional if family and friends are insufficient.

Theoretical Approaches

The field encompasses various methodologies; the client-centred or person-centred approach, pioneered by Carl Rogers, has significantly influenced recent practice. This orientation emphasises the counsellor’s role in facilitating the individual’s capacity for self-understanding and personal growth, deliberately avoiding a directive stance. In contrast, other therapeutic approaches, such as rational emotive therapy or the cognitive-behavioural approach, are typically more directive in their methods.

Scope and Practice

Counsellors operate across a wide spectrum of expertise, addressing diverse areas including careers guidance, marriage issues, debt management, and post-operative care. Counselling can be delivered through paid employment or voluntary work. Historically, training for counsellors was often specific, provided by the organisation where the professional worked (e.g., courses for public sector careers advisors). However, there is a current trend towards standardisation and the introduction of publicly-funded generic courses, which began appearing in the late 1980s and early 1990s.