DISCIPLINES AND IDEAS IN THE APPLIED SOCIAL educational placements in course and

SCIENCES programs.
QUARTER 3 LECTURE 6. Referral – It is the practice of helping the clients
find needed expert assistance that the referring
LESSON 4: Roles and Functions of Counselors counselor cannot provide.
7. Consultation – It is the process of helping a
To give you a solid understanding of specific client through a third party or helping system
concepts along with roles and functions of a counselor, improve its service to its clientele.
here are some important terms you should bear in 8. Research – It is necessary to advance the
mind: profession of counseling; it can provide
Guidance counselor is a natural person who has empirically based data relevant to the ultimate
been registered and issued a valid Certificate of goal of implementing effective counseling.
Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card 9. Evaluation and accountability – Evaluation is a
by the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and means of assessing the effectiveness of
Counseling and the Professional Regulation Commission counselor’s activities. Accountability is an
(PRC) in accordance with this Act and by virtue of outgrowth of demand that schools and other
specialized training performs for a fee, salary or other tax-supported institutions be held accountable
forms of compensation, the functions of guidance and for their actions.
counseling under Section 3 (a) of this Act. 10. Prevention – This includes promotion of mental
Roles and Functions refer to a specific character health through primary prevention using a
or position counselors play in the exercise of the social – psychological perspective.
profession while functions refer to the job description
or responsibilities and obligations associated with the LESSON 5: Specific Work Areas of A Counselor
roles of counselors.
Gibson and Mitchell (2003) defined counselor Previously, the different roles and functions of a
functions as guidance activities, and comprised a list of counselor were discussed. In this lesson, the discovery
ten activities that serve as a guideline for the overall of their work settings will be introduced.
function of guidance counselors. To give you a solid understanding of specific
concepts along with roles and functions of social
1. Individual assessment – Seeks to identify the
workers, here are some important terms you should
characteristics and potential of every client;
bear in mind:
promotes the client’s self-understanding and
Work Areas or settings. The place where the
assisting counselors to understand the client
counselor works.
better.
Counselor. A person who provides guidance and
2. Individual counseling – Considers as the core
intervention to an individual or group particularly in
activity through which other activities become
dealing and managing an issue or a problem or
meaningful. It is a client–centered process that
difficulty, that includes helping them to look for possible
demand confidentiality. Relationship is
answers or solutions that will alleviate suffering.
established between counselor and client.
3. Group counseling and guidance – Groups are
Counseling and Its Work settings
means of providing organized and planned
1. Counselors in Schools – According to Gibson
assistance to individuals for an array of needs.
and Mitchell (2003), counselors are recognized
Counselor provides assistance through group
especially in the preventive interventions and
counseling and group guidance.
developmental stage. There are elementary
4. Career assistance – Counselors are called on to
school counselors, junior high school
provide career planning and adjustment
counselors, secondary school counselors,
assistance to clients.
counselors in vocational schools, counselors in
5. Placement and follow-up – A service of school
higher education, and counselors in community
counseling programs with emphasis one
and junior colleges. The counseling service in
 the schools is usually located under the student
affairs program. It is under the supervision of
the Dean of Students Affairs.
2. Counselors in the Community Setting – refers
to employment in community, agency, and
other non-school professional situations.
Counselors can be found in the community and
mental health agencies, employment and
rehabilitation agencies, correctional settings,
and marriage and family practice. (Gibson and
Mitchell, 2003)
3. Counselors in the Private Sector – refers to
counselors who decided to do full time work as
private practitioners or engage in part-time
private practice while employed by community
agencies. This is feasible if the counselors'
expertise and specialization match or relevant
to an adequate client population in the
geographic area. (Gibson and Mitchell, 2003)
4. Counselors in the Government – counselors are
also present in various agencies of government
or institutions supported by the government
that is into social welfare, health, and
education. Relevant agencies or institutions
include public schools, public social welfare
agencies such as that for the youth, children,
and aging.

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