Goals of Counseling

Counseling is a relationship between a concerned person and a person with a need. This
relationship is usually person-to-person, although sometimes it may involve more than two
people. Here are the five commonly named goals of counseling:

1. Facilitating behavior change

2. Improving the client’s ability to establish and maintain relationships.
3. Enhancing the client’s effectiveness and ability to cope.
4. Promotingthedecision-makingprocessandfacilitatingclientpotential.
5. Development.

Source: “What are the Goals of Counseling,’’Owlcation, accessed January 16, 2020,
www.owlcation.com/social-science/What -are- the-goals-of-counseling

Roles of the Counselors

Counselors offer guidance to individuals, couples, families and groups who are dealing with
issues that affect their mental health and well-being. Many counselors approach their work
holistically, using a “wellness” model which highlights and encourages client’s strengths. On the
job counselors:

1. Work with individuals, groups and communities to improve mental health.

2. Encourage clients to discusses motions and experiences.
3. Examine issues including substance abuse, aging, bullying, anger management, careers,
depression, relationships, LGBTQ issues, self- image, stress and suicide.
4. Work with families.
5. Help client’s define goals, plan action and gain insight.
6. Develop therapeutical processes.
7. Refer clients to psychologists and other services.
8. Take a holistic approach to mental healthcare.

Source: “Counseling Job Description: What You’ll Do,” All Psychology Schools, accessed January 16,
2020,www.allpsychologyschools.com

Code of Ethics

Guidance counselors work with clients, as individuals and in groups, to whom they supply
professional services concerning educational, vocational, personal and social development. The
following are the ethical behaviors and unethical behaviors among counselors:
Ethical Behaviors:

1. Theyprotectmembersfrompracticesthatmayresultinpubliccondemnation.
2. Theyprovideameasureofself-regulation,thusgivingmembersacertain

freedom and autonomy.

3. Theyprovideclientsadegreeofprotectionfromcheatsandtheincompetent.
4. Theyhelptoprotectcounselorsfromthepubliciftheypursuedfor

malpractice.

Unethical Behaviors:

1. Incompetence
2. Lack of integrity
3. Violating confidences
4. Exceeding the level of professional competence
5. Imposing values on clients
6. Creating dependence on the part of the clients to meet the counselor’s own needs
7. Improper advertising
8. Chargingfeesforprivatecounselingtothosewhoareentitledtofreeservices through the
counselor’s employing institutions and or using one’s job to recruit clients for a private
practice.

Source: “Characteristics of Effective Counseling,” University of Malawi,accessed January 16,

2020,www.oerafrica.org