UNIT 1

1. Misuse of the Term “Counsellor”

• The term "counsellor" has often been misused and applied to non-professional roles, such as
carpet counsellors, colour coordination counsellors, or camp counsellors, which are more
like salespeople or supervisors than professional counsellors.
• These individuals are not trained mental health professionals and should not be confused
with qualified counsellors who focus on therapeutic and psychological support.

2. Origins of Professional Counselling

• Counselling as a profession grew out of the progressive guidance movement of the early
1900s, which emphasized prevention and helping individuals make life choices.
• Today, counselling is much more expansive, encompassing mental health, wellness, and
growth, and addressing personal, interpersonal, and societal issues.
• Counsellors help clients across all stages of life, focusing on both remediation of mental
disorders and the promotion of personal development.

3. Counselling vs. Guidance vs. Psychotherapy

3.1 Guidance:

• Guidance helps people make important life decisions, like choosing a career or a lifestyle.
• Historically, guidance was more common in schools and career centres, where an adult
would guide a student or young person in decision-making.
• The relationship in guidance is usually between unequal’s (i.e., an experienced guide and a
less experienced individual), and it involves providing direction rather than making
therapeutic changes.
• Guidance remains an important aspect of helping individuals, but it differs from counselling,
which focuses more on personal growth and making meaningful changes.

3.2 Psychotherapy:

• Psychotherapy historically focused on serious psychological issues, such as intrapsychic

disorders (e.g., delusions, hallucinations) and personality problems.
• It has traditionally involved a long-term, reconstructive process that focuses on past
experiences and the therapist’s detachment and expertise.
• Over time, the boundary between psychotherapy and counselling has blurred. Many
counselling methods, including psychoanalysis, can be considered psychotherapy and vice
versa.
• Counselling tends to be more focused on wellness, personal growth, and shorter-term
interventions, while psychotherapy can involve deeper and longer-term mental health
work.
3.3 Counselling:

• Counselling is defined as a professional relationship that empowers individuals, families,

and groups to achieve mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
• It focuses on wellness, personal growth, career concerns, and helping people adjust and
find fulfilment.
• Unlike psychotherapy, which often involves long-term, reconstructive efforts, counselling
can be short-term or long-term and occurs in a variety of settings.
• Counselling is also multicultural, aiming to help individuals from diverse backgrounds and at
different life stages.

4. Definition and Scope of Counselling (20/20 Definition)

• Counselling, as defined in 2010 by 29 counselling associations through the 20/20 Vision for
the Future of Counselling, is a process that focuses on helping individuals achieve
wellness, mental health, and career success.
• Counsellors work with individuals, groups, and families in a variety of settings, such as
schools, workplaces, and mental health clinics.
• Counselling addresses a wide range of issues, from mental health concerns to career and
educational guidance.
• Multicultural competence is a key aspect of counselling, as counsellors help clients from
diverse backgrounds navigate societal challenges like discrimination and prejudice.

5. Counselling Specialties

• Counselling has evolved into a profession with numerous specialties, including:

o School counselling (working with students on academic, social, and personal
development).
o Mental health counselling (working on emotional and psychological wellness).
o Marriage and family counselling (helping couples and families with relationship
dynamics).
o Career counselling (helping individuals with career planning and job-related issues).
o Rehabilitation counselling (assisting individuals with disabilities or chronic health
conditions).
o Addiction counselling (working with individuals struggling with substance use
disorders).

6. Personal and Professional Attributes of Counsellors

6.1 Counsellor’s Personality and Background

• Counsellors are often empathetic, warm, mature, and have a strong sense of social justice.
 • However, not all individuals who aspire to become counsellors do so for healthy reasons.
Some may be driven by personal unresolved traumas or a desire for control, which can be
harmful to the counselling relationship.
• Aspiring counsellors should evaluate their personal motivations and emotional well-being
before entering the profession.

6.2 Negative Motivators for Becoming a Counsellor:

• Emotional distress: Aspiring counsellors who have unresolved personal trauma may
struggle to remain objective.
• Vicarious coping: Some may use counselling as a way to live through others’ experiences
rather than addressing their own issues.
• Loneliness: Those lacking personal connections may seek to fulfil emotional needs through
their clients.
• Power dynamics: Individuals with low self-esteem or a need for control may gravitate
toward counselling for the wrong reasons.
• Need for love: Those who believe that love alone can solve all problems may have
unrealistic expectations about the counselling process.

7. Professional Development of Counsellors

• Effective counselling depends on several factors:

o The counsellor’s personality and background.
o The counsellor’s formal education and continuing professional development.
o Engagement in professional activities, such as attending supervision, pursuing
advocacy work, and building a professional portfolio.

Personal Qualities of an Effective Counsellor:

• Curiosity and Inquisitiveness: Counsellors must have a natural interest in understanding

people and their experiences.
• Ability to Listen: Effective counsellors find listening engaging and stimulating, which helps
them connect with clients.
• Comfort with Conversation: They enjoy and are skilled in verbal exchanges, fostering open
communication.
• Empathy and Understanding: Counsellors must be able to put themselves in others' shoes,
even if clients are very different from them.
• Emotional Insightfulness: Being comfortable with a wide range of emotions, from anger to
joy, is essential for handling complex client emotions.
• Introspection: Self-awareness and the ability to reflect on one’s own emotions and
behaviours are important.
• Capacity for Self-Denial: Putting aside personal needs to focus on others is critical in the
counselling profession.
• Tolerance of Intimacy: Counsellors should be able to maintain emotional closeness without
discomfort.
• Comfort with Power: They need to accept and manage their influence over clients with care
and detachment.
 • Ability to Laugh: Seeing humour and the bittersweet aspects of life can help counsellors
manage the emotional weight of their work.

Maintaining Effectiveness:

• Self-care practices such as "alone time" (reflection, gratitude, and self-awareness) are
crucial for maintaining emotional well-being and effectiveness.
• Counsellors must continuously grow personally, monitor their biases, and be sensitive to
cultural differences.

Characteristics of Effective Counsellors:

• Intellectual Competence: They are curious, fast thinkers, and willing to learn.
• Energy and Flexibility: Counsellors must maintain high energy and adapt to their clients'
needs during multiple sessions.
• Support and Goodwill: They should encourage client independence while showing genuine
goodwill and ethical conduct.
• Self-Awareness: Effective counsellors must understand their own feelings, values, and
attitudes, and how these affect their work.

Burnout and Compassion Fatigue:

• Counsellors face the risk of burnout (emotional and physical exhaustion) and compassion
fatigue (loss of empathy due to overexposure to suffering).
• To avoid these, they should maintain a balanced lifestyle, seek personal therapy, and avoid
bringing work home.

Counselling as a Value-Laden Profession

• Values in Counselling:
o Counselling is inherently influenced by the values of both counsellors and clients.
Values shape the goals of therapy, approaches taken, and the interactions between
counsellor and client.
o Examples of values include beliefs about what constitutes a “good life,” approaches to
health, and perspectives on relationships.
• Ethical Concerns:
o Counsellors face ethical dilemmas when personal values conflict with clients’ values.
This can lead to harm, such as when counsellors impose their beliefs, potentially
causing distress or alienation in clients.
o The ethical responsibility of counsellors includes recognizing their values and being
mindful of how these may affect their practice.

Ethics, Morality, and Law

• Definitions:
o Ethics: Represents a set of standards guiding the behaviour of professionals. In
counselling, ethics dictate how counsellors should interact with clients, handle
confidentiality, and navigate dual relationships.
 o Morality: Involves personal beliefs about right and wrong. While ethics can be seen
as externally imposed guidelines, morality is subjective and may vary greatly among
individuals.
o Law: Encompasses the legal framework within which counsellors operate. While laws
dictate minimum standards of behaviour, ethical standards often go beyond legal
requirements to protect clients and enhance professional integrity.

Importance of Ethics in Counselling

• Need for Ethical Standards:

o Ethical standards serve as a foundational element for the counselling profession,
ensuring the safety, welfare, and dignity of clients. Counsellors must possess a strong
understanding of these standards to navigate complex situations.
• Common Unethical Behaviours:
o Violating Confidentiality: Sharing client information without consent, except in
cases of mandated reporting.
o Exceeding Professional Competence: Accepting clients outside one’s area of
training or expertise.
o Creating Client Dependency: Fostering a reliance on the counsellor that hinders
client growth and autonomy.
o Sexual Activity with Clients: Engaging in sexual relationships with clients is
considered a serious ethical violation.
o Conflicts of Interest: Situations where personal interests could interfere with
professional judgment.
o Negligent Practice: Failing to provide a standard level of care, leading to potential
harm.

Case Study: Carl's Dilemma

• Scenario Analysis:
o Carl faces pressure to maintain financial stability but recognizes he lacks training in
anger management. This situation highlights the ethical dilemma of taking on clients
without the necessary skills.
• Considerations for Ethical Practice:
o Carl should assess his competence honestly and consider the potential harm to clients
from inadequate treatment. He could seek supervision or refer clients to more
qualified professionals.
o This scenario emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and ethical responsibility
in counselling practice.

Professional Codes of Ethics

• History and Evolution:

o The American Counselling Association (ACA) established its first code of ethics in
1961, recognizing the need for a standardized ethical framework. The code has been
revised to address emerging issues and societal changes.
• Purposes of Ethical Codes:
1. Define Ethical Obligations: Clarifies the responsibilities counsellors have toward
clients and the profession.
 2. Guide Ethical Practice: Provides a framework for making ethical decisions in
practice.
3. Clarify Responsibilities: Details what is expected of counsellors in various contexts.
4. Assist in Decision-Making: Offers processes for evaluating ethical dilemmas.
5. Support the Mission of ACA: Aligns the ethical standards with the broader goals of
the counselling profession.
6. Process Inquiries and Complaints: Establishes a mechanism for addressing
violations of ethical standards.

Sections of the ACA Code of Ethics

1. Counselling Relationship: Addresses the nature of the counsellor-client relationship,

including informed consent, boundaries, and dual relationships.
2. Confidentiality and Privacy: Details client rights concerning confidentiality and the
exceptions to this rule.
3. Professional Responsibility: Emphasizes the importance of professional competence, ethical
advertising, and non-discrimination.
4. Relationships with Colleagues: Covers ethical behaviour in professional relationships,
including collaboration and respect for colleagues.
5. Evaluation and Assessment: Standards for ethical assessment practices, including cultural
considerations in testing and evaluation.
6. Supervision and Training: Guidelines for counsellor educators and the ethical
responsibilities of supervision.
7. Research and Publications: Addresses the integrity and ethical responsibilities involved in
research.
8. Distance Counselling and Technology: Ethical considerations in providing counselling
services through online platforms.
9. Resolving Ethical Issues: Offers a framework for addressing ethical dilemmas, including
consultation and reporting mechanisms.

Limitations of Ethical Codes

• General Nature of Codes: Ethical codes may be broad and not address specific situations,
leaving counsellors to interpret how they apply in unique cases.
• Conflict Among Codes: Situations can arise where codes from different professional
organizations conflict, leading to confusion about which standard to follow.
• Outdated Guidelines: As societal norms and values evolve, ethical codes may need
continual revision to remain relevant.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Ethical codes might not adequately address the complexities of
multicultural counselling and the varying values of diverse populations.

Conflicts Among Ethical Codes

• Scenario of Conflicts: Counsellors may find themselves in situations where they have to
navigate conflicting ethical guidelines from different professional organizations, requiring
careful deliberation and ethical reasoning.
• Awareness of Conflicts: Counsellors should be educated about the potential for these
conflicts and maintain an open dialogue regarding their ethical obligations.

Making Ethical Decisions

• Process of Ethical Decision-Making:

 o Counsellors should actively reflect on the ethical principles at play, consider the
potential consequences of their actions, and prioritize the best interests of the client.
• Six Key Ethical Principles:
1. Beneficence: Counsellors strive to act in the best interest of clients and promote their
well-being.
2. Nonmaleficence: Counsellors must avoid actions that cause harm, both physically and
emotionally.
3. Autonomy: Respect for clients' rights to make their own choices is paramount,
emphasizing the importance of informed consent.
4. Justice: Counsellors are obligated to provide fair and equitable treatment to all clients,
regardless of background.
5. Fidelity: Building trust through honesty and maintaining commitments is essential in
the counsellor-client relationship.
6. Veracity: Upholding truthfulness fosters trust and transparency in the counselling
process.

Counselling in India

1. Definition of Counselling

• Counselling refers to the professional support provided by trained counsellors to individuals

or groups, aimed at helping them cope with emotional, psychological, or behavioural issues.
• It differs from guidance, which involves offering advice and support, typically without
specialized training. Counselling is a structured and therapeutic process, whereas guidance
can be offered by anyone, including friends or family members.

2. Misunderstanding of Counselling in India

• Counselling vs. Guidance:

o Many in India use the terms interchangeably, confusing counselling with casual
advice or guidance.
o Counselling deals with specific psychological and emotional issues.
o Guidance provides general advice for making decisions, often about life, career, or
relationships, and does not require professional training.
• Mental Health Stigma:
o Mental health issues are highly stigmatized in India, leading to slow growth in
counselling services.
o A 2018 survey across eight Indian cities revealed that 70% of people felt hatred,
65% disgust, and 61% annoyance toward individuals with mental illnesses.
o 60% believed mental illness is due to a lack of self-discipline or willpower.
o 68%, however, acknowledged the need to provide care to people with mental
illnesses, showing an increasing awareness of the importance of mental health care
despite the stigma.
3. Current Trends in Counselling in India

3.1 Counselling as a Professional Practice

• Lack of Regulation:
o Unlike in many other countries, India does not have a governing authority for the
counselling profession.
o A counsellor does not need a license to practice in India unless they are administering
psychological tests (which require an RCI certificate).
o Master’s degree holders can begin practicing counselling, but without standardized
accreditation or oversight.
• Consequences of Lack of Regulation:
o Unethical practices: Breaches of confidentiality, dual relationships, or exploitation of
clients are risks without proper oversight.
o Quality of services: The absence of standardized training or licensing can lead to
inadequate care, potentially worsening clients’ mental health.
o Client safety: Without regulation, individuals may falsely claim to be qualified
counsellors, offering substandard or harmful treatment.
o No accountability: There is no clear recourse for clients in case of counsellor
misconduct or incompetence.

3.2 Myths and Misconceptions about Counselling in India

Several misconceptions persist in India, acting as barriers to seeking help:

• “Counselling is only for adults”: Counselling is often seen as inappropriate for children or
teenagers, although it can benefit all age groups.
• “Counsellors have all the solutions”: Many expect counsellors to provide direct solutions,
whereas counselling is a collaborative process where clients actively participate in finding
ways to cope.
• “Counselling is only for severe mental illnesses”: Counselling can address a wide range of
issues, not just severe conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It can help with
stress, relationship problems, career issues, and personal growth.
• “Counselling is for the rich”: While private counselling can be expensive, there are
affordable or free options through community organizations and government initiatives.
• “Counselling is just talk therapy”: Counselling is more than casual conversation; it
involves evidence-based techniques aimed at addressing specific issues.
• “Seeking counselling is a sign of weakness”: There's a stigma around mental health care,
with the perception that seeking help indicates weakness. In reality, it is a sign of strength
and self-awareness.

4. Growth and Specialization within Counselling in India

4.1 Emergence of Specialized Disciplines:

• Career Counselling: Helps individuals explore job options, set career goals, and make
informed decisions about their professional paths.
• Clinical Mental Health Counselling: Focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional,
and behavioural disorders.
• School Counselling: Supports students in academic, social, and emotional development.
 • Marriage and Family Therapy: Aids couples and families in resolving relationship issues
and improving communication.
• Addiction Counselling: Assists individuals struggling with substance abuse or behavioural
addictions.
• Child and Adolescent Counselling: Addresses behavioural problems, family conflicts, and
emotional regulation in children and teenagers.
• Grief Counselling: Helps individuals navigate the grieving process and cope with loss.
• Multicultural Counselling: Focuses on clients from diverse cultural backgrounds,
promoting cultural sensitivity and awareness in therapy.

5. Incorporation of Traditional Indian Practices in Counselling

5.1 Yoga and Meditation:

• Yoga is a mind-body practice that uses postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to help
individuals relax, manage stress, and promote mental well-being.
• Meditation involves focused reflection and mindfulness, helping individuals achieve mental
calmness and awareness.
• These practices, rooted in Indian culture, are increasingly being incorporated into counselling
as holistic therapies for mental health.

5.2 Ayurveda:

• Ayurveda emphasizes a holistic approach to mental and physical health, seeking balance
between the body, mind, and spirit.
• Practitioners use doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and gun as (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) to
understand personality traits and treat psychological disorders.
• Ayurvedic principles like Prakriti (constitution) are applied in counselling to create
personalized therapy strategies.

5.3 Mindfulness:

• Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, aware of thoughts and
experiences without judgment.
• It has roots in Buddhism and is used in therapy to help clients cope with stress, reduce self-
imposed suffering, and increase emotional resilience.

6. Government and Private Initiatives for Counselling in India

6.1 NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences):

• A leading institution offering comprehensive mental health services, including individual,

family, and group counselling.
 • Focuses on issues like depression, anxiety, addiction, and relationship conflicts, providing
support to all age groups.

6.2 Cognicase Centre for Child and Adolescent Counselling:

• Specializes in counselling services for individuals across all age groups, with a focus on
minority communities (LGBTQ+, racial minorities, people with disabilities).
• Provides counselling for LGBTQ+ individuals, children and adolescents, and parents
using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other scientific methods.

6.3 Indian Counselling Services (ICS):

• An online platform offering psychotherapy and counselling services.

• Provides training and internship programs for students and therapists, helping them gain
practical experience.
• Offers a range of programs such as CBT, NLP, and specialized classes for students from
prestigious universities.