Lesson 3: ROLES,

FUNCTIONS AND
AREAS OF
SPECIALIZATION OF
COUNSELORS
Lesson Objectives:
After going through this module, you are
expected to:

• Recognize the roles and functions of counselors.

• Recite the roles and functions of counselors.
• Appreciate the unique roles and functions of counselors
REVIEW: The Discipline of Counseling
• Meaning of Counseling
• Goals and Scopes of Counseling
• Principles of Counseling
 Questions:
• What part of the video clip becomes
appealing to you?
• Identify some of the roles and functions of
counselors shown in the video.
• Why do you think counselors must do
their roles and functions based
 ROLES OF
COUNSELORS
• Republic Act 9258
• The Code of Ethics of
Guidance Counselor from
Philippine Guidance and
Counseling Association
(PGCA)
ROLES OF COUNSELORS
• Counselors-
assist their client
in their journey
of self-
awareness, self-
acceptance,
decision-making,
and problem-
solving.
ROLES OF COUNSELORS
•Coordinators-
may refer a
client to a
specialist that
could further
help with his or
her needs.
When should you refer a client???
ROLES OF COUNSELORS

•Consultants-may
give expert
opinions and
suggest helpful
strategies.
 ROLES OF COUNSELORS
•Conductors of
activities-may be
involved in the
planning and direct
implementation of
certain activities
that can assist
clients.
ROLES OF COUNSELORS
•Change of
agents-may act
as a catalyzer,
process helper,
solution giver,
resource linker,
and stabilizer.
FUNCTIONS OF COUNSELORS
(Gibson & Mitchell, 2008)
•Counseling- focuses on clients’ growth, adjustment, problem-solving
and decision-making needs.
•Assessment- process of systematically gathering of information about
the clients. This includes standardized test forms (e.g. personality and
career inventory tests) and non-test data (e.g. case studies, observation,
anecdotal records).
•Career Assistance- help clients determine which career best suits
them through a career development program.
•Placement and follow-up- focus on helping clients find their “niche”
(personal-social, academic, vocational-occupational, etc.) and ensuring
client satisfaction respectively.
FUNCTIONS OF COUNSELORS
(Gibson & Mitchell, 2008)
•Referral- done when counselors need to find and transfer their clients to other
experts or counselors with special expertise.
•Consultation- counselors talk with the significant others to assist clients who are
having difficulties.
•Research- is one important role that counselors need to cultivate because engaging
in this process can yield data that could then help in the advancement of the
counseling profession.
•Evaluation and accountability- evaluation is assessing the effectiveness of the
activities and interventions and the efficiency of the personnel involved while
accountability is ensuring that programs and personnel are responsive, appropriate
and relevant.
•Prevention of problems- empowering the clients with knowledge and awareness so
that healthy attitudes and habits are promoted while early signs of problems are
detected.
 PROBLEMS PROMPTED PEOPLE TO
SEEK COUNSELORS FOR HELP
• Bereavement
• Eating disorders
• Crisis Situations
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
• Difficulty at work
• Phobias and obsessions
 PROBLEMS PROMPTED PEOPLE TO
SEEK COUNSELORS FOR HELP
• HIV and AIDS
• Bullying
• Adjustments
• Addiction and substance abuse
• Issues from the past
• Failed relationships
 Questions
• What are the different roles and functions of
counselors?
• How does counselor manage to do his/her
unique roles which correspond to his/her
specific function?
• If you are a counselor who works for helping
adolescent to cope with problem behavior?
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION WHERE
COUNSELORS WORK

• Educational
• Clinical
• Industrial
 – School Counselor
– Guidance
Counselor
– Teacher
Counselor
– Consultant
SCHOOL SETTING
 • Clinical Counselor
• Counseling Therapist
CLINICAL • Consultant
SETTING • Behavioral
Counselor
 INDUSTRIAL
SETTING

• Human resource officer

• Trainer
• Industrial counselor
• Industrial consultant
• Counselor rehabilitation
center
 AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION WHERE
COUNSELORS WORK
AREAS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
School counselor, college counselor, residence hall counselor, career services, academic
School advising, wellness programming, student affairs, outreach programming, substance abuse
counselor, support services for special populations.
Crisis counselor/intervention helpers, marriage counselor, family counselor, mental health
Community Agency aide/ worker community outreach worker, case manager, youth counselor/worker, substance
abuse treatment, homeless centers, private practice, couple counselor
Bereavement counselor, marriage and family counselor, pastoral counselor, hospice
Religious Setting counselor, private practice
Career counselor, employment assistance, outplacement counselor, wellness programming
Industries
Rehabilitation counselor, vocational rehabilitation counselor, crisis manager, grief counselor,
Health Care and wellness programming, addictions specialist, health coaches, informational and
Rehabilitation psychoeducational program provider, hospice counselor, hospital psychosocial services.

Military counselor, addiction counselor, counsel for veterans, vocational counselor,

Military educational counselor, marriage and family counselor, mental health counselor, coupe
counselor.
• Working as a counselor is fulfilling
because of its impact on the lives of the
people he/she has worked with.
• Counseling is a noble profession
which can be considered as a personal
ministry in the perspective of the
practitioner.
 Registered Guidance Counselors still haggling
with their salary since college
instructors/professors have higher salary than
them given that they too have Master’s Degree.

In the government, it is a requirement for a

civil servant to have at least Master’s Degree
level to achieve Division Chief positions.(RA
1080)
COMPETENCIES OF A COUNSELOR
“The first competency one should have is the
passion of the heart to help other people in
need. Training and further studies that would
upgrade your learning and approaches in
handling counseling sessions. One who is tough
and strong but possesses a soft heart.”

- Prof. Georgia Ramirez, RGC

Education Requirement
• At least a Master’s Degree in Counseling or
Guidance and Counseling.
• Pass the Licensure Examinations for Guidance
Counselors, which the Professional Regulation
Commission required to practice such profession.
• Good moral character and internship.
• Have a commitment to the personal holistic
development of a person.
COMPETENCY INDICATORS
• Listener
• Have an identity
• Willing to grow, risk, care, involve, and
understand.
• Authentic and natural
• Open to change, sincere and honest
• Have a sense of humor
• Culture-sensitive
COMPETENCY INDICATORS
• Optimist
• Have a caring spirit
• Enjoys life
• Sensitive to other people’s needs
• Objective
• Shows confidence in people and their potential
growth
• Must be able to maintain professional standards.
 GUIDED QUESTION
• Which among the presented career
opportunities for counselors do you
think will be easy for them to do?
 GROUP ACTIVITY
• Conduct a participant observation
• Participant observation (PO) is a research methodology
where the researcher is immersed in the day-to-day
activities of the participants. The objective is usually to
record conduct under the widest range of possible
settings.
• Establishing rapport or getting to know the people,
immersing oneself in the field, recording data and
observations, and consolidating the information gathered.
Thank You for your
time and effort!
-Mamshie Dhen