Functions of Guidance Counselors

· Grief
The Philippine Republic Act No. 9258 (Sec. 2-3) defines a
guidance counselor as a natural person who has been · Loneliness
professionally registered and licensed by a legitimate state
entity and by virtue of specialized training to · Sleep disturbance (sleeping too much or too little)
perform the functions of guidance and counseling. The
· Procrastination (putting off important tasks)
guidance counseior's functions inciude the use of an
integrated approach to developing a well-functioning · Thoughts about death or suicide
individuai primarily through:
1. helping a client develop potentials to the fullest; · Identity issues
2. helping a client plan to utilize his or her potentials to
the fullest; · Sexual/gender identity concerns
3. helping a client pian his or her future in accordance
with his or her abilities, interests, and needs; Counseling techniques involve active listening, emphatic
4. sharing and applying the knowledge related to understanding releasing the pent up feelings confronting
counseling such as counseling theories, tools, and the client and so on counseling therefore is offered to only
techniques; and those individuals who are under serious problem and need
5. administering a wide range of human development professional help to overcome it.
services.
Module 1 The counselor works with you to help you identify your
Lesson 1 Counseling strengths, gain insight into your ways of thinking, feeling
Counseling is a collaborative process that involves the and behaving and begin a process of change and growth.
development of a confidential professional relationship that
focuses on personal problems. Counseling can help you understand what is getting in the
way of your making the changes you want in your life.
Counseling is the services offered to the individual who is
undergoing problem and needs professional help to Counseling can also teach you ways of dealing with
overcome it. stressful life events and circumstances you can’t change.

The objective of counseling is to help you clarify issues, The counselor helps you analyze and respond to internal
gain insight into your feelings and thoughts and deal pressures and negative attitudes towards yourself or
effectively with problems. Nearly all students experience others.
occasional difficulties that can interfere with their success Lesson 2: Goals of Counseling
or sense of well-being. These can include but are not Different individuals have different perceptions of what can
limited to: be expected of counseling. However there are five
commonly named goals of counseling.
· Anxieties about academics
1. FACILITATING BEHAVIOR CHANGE The goal of
· Conflicts with friends counseling is to bring about change in behavior that will
enable to the client to be more productive. Goals can be
· Family or relationship/partner problems measurable so that client can measure that program.
According to Rogers (1951) behavior change is a
· Career indecision or re-evaluating professional goals
necessary result of the counseling process although
specific behaviors receive little or no emphasis during
· Habit control problems (e.g. over/under eating,
alcoholism, drug abuse) process..

· Low self-confidence 2. IMPROVING RELATIONSHIP Many clients tend to have

3. FACILITATE CLIENT’S POTENTIAL Helping individuals 4. REMEDIAL GOALS Remediation involves assisting a
to cope with new situation and challenges. We will client to overcome and/or treat an undesirable
inevitably run into difficulties in the process of growing up. development.
Most of us do not completely achieve all over our
development tasks within a life time. All of the unique 5. EXPLORATORY GOALS Exploration represents goals
expectations and requirements imposed on us by others appropriate to the examining of options, testing of skills,
will eventually lead to problem learning coping patterns , and trying new and different activities, environments,
however may not always work. relationships and so on.

4. PROMOTING DECISION MAKING The goal of the 6. REINFORCEMENT GOALS reinforcement is used in
counseling is to enable the individual to make critical those instances where clients need help in recognizing that
decisions regarding alternative courses of actions without what they are doing, thinking, and/or feeling is okay.
outside influence. Counseling will help individuals obtain
individuals obtain information and to clarify emotional 7. COGNITIVE GOALS Cognition involves acquiring the
concern that may interfere with or be related to the decision basic foundation of learning and cognitive skills.
involved. These individuals will acquire an understanding of
their capabilities and interests. They will also come to 8. PHYSIOLOGICAL GOALS Physiology involves acquiring
identifying emotions and attitudes that could influence their the basic understandings and habits for good health.
choice and decisions.
9. PSYCHOLOGICAL GOALS Psychology aids in
5. ENHANCE POTENTIAL AND ENRICH SELF developing good social interaction skills, learning emotional
DEVELOPMENT Help individuals to cope with new control, developing a positive self-concept, and so on.
situations and challenges. Counseling seek to maximize an
individual freedom by giving him or her control over their Woodworth’s Personal Data Sheet was an early personality
environment while analyzing responsiveness and reach to instrument used by the military to screen out emotionally
the environment . Counselors will work to help people learn disturbed individuals. The successful large-scale military
how to overcome. Counselors will also assist to use of tests led to the development and adoption of similar
overcoming sexual dysfunction, drug addition, gambling instruments in the schools, business, and industry
and obesity as well as anxiety shyness and depression. (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2010).
The trait-and-factor approach involved a series of five
CATAGORIES OF COUNSELING GOALS steps, which included
(1) analysis: examining the problem and obtaining
Counseling Goals may be simply classified in terms of available records and testing on the client;
counselor goals and client goals or the immediate, (2) synthesis: summarizing and organizing the information
intermediate, or longrange goals of therapy. Broadly to understand the problem;
(3) diagnosis: interpreting the problem;
speaking, counseling goals may also be separated into the
(4) counseling: aiding the individual in finding solutions;
following categories:
and
(5) follow-up: assuring proper support after counseling had
1. DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS Developmental Goals are ended (Patterson, 1973).
those wherein the client is assisted in meeting or advancing
her or his anticipated human growth and development (that Module 2
is socially , personally, emotionally, cognitively, physical Lesson 2: Counselor and Other Mental Health Profession
wellness and so on) Whether we call it guidance, counseling, or psychotherapy,
in today’s world we find a number of professionals
2. PREVENTIVE GOALS Prevention is a goal in which the practicing it. In fact, although differences in the training of
counselor helps the client avoid undesired outcome. mental health professionals exist, over the years their
professional duties have begun to overlap (Todd & Bohart,
3. ENHANCEMENT GOALS If the client possesses special 2006).
skills and abilities, enhancement means they can be
For instance, today, some school counselors do therapy, psychologists is the American Psychological Association
counseling and clinical psychologists act as consultants to (APA). Counselors are likely to have more contact with
the schools, psychiatrists are social advocates, social clinical, counseling, and school psychologists than with
workers and others can be psychoanalysts, mental health other types of psychologists. These specialty areas are
counselors do family therapy, and psychologists vie for the described below.
right to prescribe psychotropic medications (Johnson, Clinical Psychologists
2009). Clinical psychologists have a strong background in
Let’s examine some of the similarities and differences science, theory, and practice, which enables them to
among various professionals, including counselors, social alleviate maladjustment and promote psychological well-
workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, being (APA,2003). To obtain a license as a clinical
psychiatric mental health nurses, psychiatrists, human psychologist, one must graduate from an APA accredited
service practitioners, and psychotherapists. doctoral program in clinical psychology and complete
additional requirements identified by state licensing boards.
Social Workers The professional association for clinical psychologists is
Although the term social worker can apply to those who Division 12 of the APA.
have an undergraduate or a graduate degree in social work Counseling Psychologists
or a related field (e.g., human services), the term has Historically, counseling psychologists have worked with
recently become more associated with those who have relatively healthy populations, whereas clinical
acquired a master’s degree in social work (MSW). Whereas psychologists have worked with seriously impaired
social workers traditionally have been found working with populations. Today, however, the differences between
the underprivileged and with family and social systems, counseling and clinical psychologists are nominal (APA,
today’s social workers provide counseling and 2003). To become a counseling psychologist, one must
psychotherapy for all types of clients in a wide variety of obtain a doctoral degree from an APA-approved program
settings, including child welfare services, government- and complete additional requirements identified by the
supported social service agencies, family service agencies, state licensing board. The professional association for
private practices, and hospitals. Social workers usually counseling psychologists is Division 17 of the APA.
have extensive training in counseling techniques but less School Psychologists
preparation in career counseling, assessment techniques, School psychologists have a master’s or doctoral degree
and quantitative research methods. Even though in school psychology and are licensed by state boards of
theoretical distinctions exist between the MSW and the education. Their work involves children, families, and the
master’s degree in counseling, the two degrees probably schooling process and their training tend to focus on
have more similarities than differences. With additional consultation, evaluation and assessment, intervention,
training and supervision, social workers can become prevention, and research and planning (National
nationally certified by the Academy of Certified Social Association of School Psychologists, n.d.). Many school
Workers (ACSW). In addition, most states have specific psychologists today are found working closely with
requirements for becoming a Licensed Clinical Social students with learning programs, their parents, and their
Worker (LCSW). The professional association for social teachers. Although most school psychologists work in
workers is the National Association of Social Workers schools, you can sometimes find them in private practice,
(NASW). in agencies, and in hospital settings. The professional
Psychologists associations for school psychologists are the National
Many different types of psychologists practice in a wide Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and Division
range of settings, including agencies, private practice, 16 of the APA.
health maintenance organizations, universities, business Psychiatrists
and industry, prisons, and schools. Psychologists are often A psychiatrist is a licensed physician who generally has
found running agencies, consulting with business and completed a residency in psychiatry, meaning that in
industry, or serving in supervisory roles for all types of addition to medical school, he or she has completed
mental health professionals. extensive field placement training in a mental health
Relative to the practice of psychotherapy, all states offer setting. In addition, most psychiatrists have passed an
licensure in counseling and/or clinical psychology, and exam to become board certified in psychiatry. Being a
many states now allow individuals with a “Psy.D.,” a physician, the psychiatrist has expertise in diagnosing
relatively new clinical doctorate in psychology, to become organic disorders, identifying and treating psychopathology,
licensed as clinical or counseling psychologists. Licensed and prescribing medication for psychiatric conditions.
counseling and clinical psychologists have obtained a Although some states have granted psychologists
doctoral degree in psychology, acquired extensive prescription privileges for the psychotropic medication
supervised experience after graduate school, and passed a (Johnson, 2009), currently it is psychiatrists, and in some
licensing exam. The professional association for
cases psychiatric nurses, who take the lead in this emotional problems in their lives (Malchiodi, 2006).
important treatment approach. Through the use of expressive therapies, it is hoped that
Because psychiatrists often have minimal training in individuals can gain a deeper understanding of them and
techniques of individual and group counseling, assessment work through some of their symptoms. Expressive
techniques, human development, and career counseling, therapists work with individuals of all ages and do
they are sometimes not seen as experts in the delivery of individual, group, and family counseling. They work in
counseling and psychotherapeutic services. Psychiatrists many settings and are often hired specifically for their
are employed in mental health agencies, hospitals, and ability to reach individuals through a medium other than
private practice settings, and health maintenance language. Many expressive therapists obtain degrees in
organizations. The professional association for counseling or social work and later pick up additional
psychiatrists is the American Psychiatric Association coursework in expressive therapy.
(APA). Human Service Practitioners
Psychoanalysts Individuals who serve as human service practitioners have
Psychoanalysts are professionals who have received generally obtained an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in
training in psychoanalysis from a number of recognized human services. These programs are accredited by the
psychoanalytical institutes. Although the American Council for Standards in Human Service Education
Psychoanalytical Association (APSA), the professional (CSHSE), which sets specific curriculum guidelines for the
association of psychoanalysts, formerly would only endorse development of human service programs. Individuals who
psychiatrists for training at psychoanalytical institutes hold these degrees are often found in entry-level support
(Turkington,1985), they now allow other mental health and counseling jobs and serves an important role in
professionals to undergo training (APSA, 2008). Because assisting counselors and other mental health professionals.
states do not license psychoanalysts, clients who are Recently, CSHSE, in consultation with the National
seeing a psychoanalyst should make sure that the analyst Organization of Human Services (NOHS) and the Center
was trained at an institute sanctioned by the American for Credentialing and Education (CCE), created a
Psychoanalytical Association and that he or she has a certification in human services, called the Human
license in a mental health field (e.g., licensed psychiatrist, Services–Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP).
psychologist, counselor [LPC], or social worker [LCSW]). Psychotherapists
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses Because the word psychotherapist is not associated with
Primarily trained as medical professionals, psychiatric- any particular field of mental health practice, most states do
mental health nurses are also skilled in the delivery of not offer legislation that would create a license for
mental health services (American Psychiatric Nurses “psychotherapists.” One result of this lack of legislation is
Association, n.d.). Most psychiatric-mental health nurses that in most states, individuals who have no mental health
work in hospital settings, with lesser numbers working in training can call themselves psychotherapists. However,
community agencies, private practice, or educational legislatures generally limit the scope of psychotherapeutic
settings. Psychiatric-mental health nursing is practiced at practice to those individuals who are licensed mental health
two levels. The RN psychiatric-mental health nurse does professionals within the state (e.g., LPCs, LCSWs,
basic mental health work related to nursing diagnosis and psychologists). The bottom line is that in most states,
nursing care. The Advanced Practiced Registered Nurse anyone can claim to be a psychotherapist, but only
(APRN) has a master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health licensed practitioners can practice psychotherapy.
nursing and assesses, diagnoses, and treats individuals
with mental health problems. Currently holding prescriptive Lesson 3: Competencies, Skills and Characteristics of
privileges in all 50 states (Phillips, 2007), APRNs provide Effective Counselor
an important service in many mental health settings. 5.1. Competencies of Effective Counselors
Because of their training in both medicine and basic Professional counselors are licensed mental health
counseling skills, they hold a unique position in the mental therapists who provide assessment, diagnosis and
health profession. Psychiatric-mental health nurses can
counseling to people facing a variety of life stresses and
acquire certification in a number of mental health areas
psychological problems. They help people with relationship
based on their education and experience (see American
Nurses Credentialing Center, 2010). The professional issues, family problems, job stress, mental health disorders
association of psychiatric-mental health nurses is the such as depression and anxiety, and many other
American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). challenging problems that can impact feelings of well-being
Expressive Therapists and happiness. To be effective in their roles, counselors
Expressive therapists include art therapists, play should enjoy helping others and possess specific attributes
therapists, dance/movement therapists, poetry therapists, and skills.
music therapists, and others who use creative tools to work
with individuals who are experiencing significant trauma or
Communication Skills needs. You don't stay rigid and stick to a predetermined
Effective counselors should have excellent communication treatment path when your clients require a different
skills. Although some of these skills can be honed during approach. Being flexible is one of the most important
graduate school and are developed and refined over the attributes of a professional counselor, says Gerald Juhnke,
course of your career, you should already possess certain professor of counseling at the University of Texas at San
communication skills before embarking on a counseling Antonio, in an interview with "Counseling Today."
career. Counselors need to have a natural ability to listen
and be able clearly explain their ideas and thoughts to Self-Awareness
others. Self-awareness is the ability to look within and identify your
own unmet psychological needs and desires, such as a
Acceptance need for intimacy or the desire to be professionally
Being nonjudgmental and accepting are important competent. This ability prevents your issues from affecting
attributes in any of the helping professions. But or conflicting with those of your clients. Self-awareness has
professional counselors must be able to "start where the a major impact on a counselor's effectiveness, says
client is at." This phrase is often used in counseling to professor David Hutchinson in his book, "The Essential
describe the ability to relate to clients with an open, Counselor."
nonjudgmental attitude – accepting the client for who she is
and in her current situation. Counselors need to be able to
convey acceptance to their clients with warmth and Multicultural Competency
understanding. Counselors help people from all walks of life. They must
display multicultural competency and adopt a multicultural
Empathy worldview, says Hutchinson. Multicultural competency
Counselors help people through some of the most difficult means that you try to relate to and understand your clients
and stressful times of their lives. They must be able to regardless of their race, ethnicity, religious or political
display empathy – the ability to feel what another person is beliefs or socioeconomic background.
feeling. Empathy means that you are truly able to imagine 1. LISTENING
what it's like to stand in someone else's shoes. a. Attending - orienting oneself physically to the patient (pt)
Compassion and empathy help your clients feel understood to indicate one is aware of the patient, and, in fact, that the
and heard. client has your full, undivided attention and that you care.
Methods include eye contact; nods; not moving around,
Problem-Solving Skills being distracted, eye contact, encouraging verbalizations;
mirroring body postures and language; leaning forward,
It's not up to a counselor to solve her clients' problems, no
etc. Researchers estimate that about 80 percent of
matter how much she might want to help. But counselors
communication takes place non-verbally.
must have excellent problem-solving skills to be able to b. Listening/observing - capturing and understanding the
help their clients identify and make changes to negative verbal and nonverbal information communicated by that pt.
thought patterns and other harmful behaviors that might be Two primary sources of information:
contributing to their issues, says Dr. Lynn Ponton in an • CONTENT - what is specifically said. Listen carefully for,
article for PsychCentral. not only what a person says, but also the words,
expressions and patterns the person is using, which may
Rapport-Building Skills give you a deeper insight. Counselors should develop their
Counselors must possess a strong set of interpersonal ability to remember what was said, as well as to clarify
skills to help establish rapport quickly with clients and what was said or finding out what was not said.
develop strong relationships. They must give their • PROCESS - all nonverbal phenomena, including how
undivided attention to clients and be able to cultivate trust. content is conveyed, themes, body language, interactions,
etc. Smiling
Counselors need to be able to place all of their focus on
2. EMPATHY
what their clients are saying and avoid being distracted by The ability to perceive another's experience and then to
their own personal problems or concerns when they are in communicate that perception back to the individual to
a session. clarify and amplify their own experiencing and meaning. It
is not identifying with the pt or sharing similar experiences--
Flexibility not "I know how you feel"!
Flexibility in counseling is defined as the ability to adapt Primary skills associated with the communication of
and change the way you respond to meet your clients' empathy include:
a. nonverbal and verbal attending Keeping communications specific -- focused on facts and
b. paraphrasing content of client communications feelings of relevant concerns, while avoiding tangents,
c. reflecting patient feelings and implicit messages generalizations, abstract discussions, or talking about
a. ATTENDING – involves our behaviors which reflect our counselor rather then the client.
paying full attention, in an accepting and supportive way, to Includes the following functions:
the client. a. Assisting client to identify and work on a specific problem
b. PARAPHRASING - Selective focusing on the cognitive from the various ones presented.
part of the message – with the client’s key words and ideas b. Reminding the client of the task and redescribing intent
being communicated back to the patient in a rephrased, and structure of the session.
and shortened form. There are four steps in effective c. Using questions and suggestions to help the client clarify
[paraphrasing: facts, terms, feelings, and goals.
I. Listen and recall. The entire client message to ensure d. Use a here-and-now focus to emphasize process and
you recalled it in its entirety and do not omit any significant content occurring in current session, which may of help to
parts. elucidate the problem being worked on or improving the
II. Identify the content part of the message by deciding problem-solving process.
what event, situation, idea, or person the client is talking 6. OPEN QUESTIONS - A questioning process to assist
about. the client in clarifying or exploring thoughts or feelings.
III. Rephrase, in as concise a manner as possible, the key Counselor id not requesting specific information and not
words and ideas the client has used to communicate their purposively limiting the nature of the response to only a yes
concerns in a fresh or different perspective. or no, or very brief answer.
IV. Perception check is usually in the form of a brief a. Goal is to facilitate exploration – not needed if the client
question, e., “It sounds like...,” “Let me see if I understand is already doing this.
this,” which allows the client to agree or disagree with the b. Have an intention or therapeutic purpose for every
accuracy of your paraphrasing. question you ask.
c. REFLECTING PT'S FEELINGS- Affective reflection in an c. Avoid asking too many questions, or assuming an
open-ended, respectful manner of what the client is interrogatory role.
communicating verbally and nonverbally, both directly d. Best approach is to follow response to an open-ended
through words and nonverbal behaviors as well as question with a paraphrase or reflection which encourages
reasonable inferences about what the client might be the client to share more and avoids repetitive patterns of
experiencing emotionally It is important for the helper to question/answer/question/answer, etc.
think carefully about which words he/she chooses to 8. COUNSELOR SELF-DISCLOSURE
communicate these feelings back to the client The counselor shares personal feelings, experiences, or
3. GENUINESS reactions to the client. Should include relevant content
The ability of counselors to be freely themselves. Includes intended to help them. As a rule, it is better to not self-
congruence between outer words/behaviors and inner disclose unless there is a pressing clinical need which
feelings; nondefensiveness; non-role-playing; and being cannot be met in any other way. Remember empathy is not
unpretentious. For example, if the helper claims that they sharing similar experiences but conveying in a caring and
are comfortable helping a client explore a drug or sexual understanding manner what the client is feeling and
issue, but their behavior (verbally and nonverbally) shows thinking
signs of discomfort with the topic this will become an 9. INTERPRATION
obstacle to progress and often lead to client confusion Any statement to the client which goes beyond what they
about and mistrust of the helper. have said or are aware of. In interpretation the counselor is
4. UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD providing new meaning, reason, or explanation for
An expression of caring and nurturance as well as behaviors, thoughts, or feelings so that pt can see
acceptance. problems in a new way. Interpretations can help the client
• Includes conveying warmth through: make connections between seemingly isolated statements
• Also conveying acceptance by responding to the pt's of events, can point out themes or patterns, or can offer a
messages (verbal and nonverbal) with nonjudgmental or new framework for understanding. An interpretation may be
noncritical verbal & nonverbal reactions. used to help a pt focus on a specific aspect of their
• Respect - ability to communicate to the pt the counselor's problem, or provide a goal.
sincere belief that every person possesses the inherent • Keep interpretations short, concrete (see concreteness),
strength and capacity to make it in life, and that each and deliver them tentatively and with empathy.
person has the right to choose his own alternatives and • Use interpretations sparingly and do not assume a pt's
make his own decisions. rejection of your insight means they are resistant or that
5. CONCRETENESS you are right.
10. INFORMATION GIVING AND REMOVING along with clients that are seeking an emergency session.
OBSTACLES TO CHANGE Possess a flexible attitude to ensure your clients feel safe
Supplying data, opinions, facts, resources or answers to and understood.
questions. Explore with client possible problems which may Stages of Group Development
delay or prevent their change process. In collaboration with Pre group stage (forming) some group leaders will have a
the client identify possible solutions and alternatives. pre group meeting with all potential members.
Characteristics of Effective Counselors Initial Stage (Forming) group members are often self
A career in counseling gives licensed professionals the conscious, worried about how others might view the team
opportunity to help those who are coping with loss, and concerned what about whether they will be accepted.
depression, addiction, relationship issues, and other Group leaders might set limits, assure that members abide
everyday struggles. But in order to be effective, there are by the ground rules and simultaneously show empathy and
many characteristics that one must possess. unconditional positive regard.
Whether you’re a counseling degree student, a licensed Transition Stage (storming and norming ) group members
counselor, or even if you’re starting your own counseling are beginning to feel comfortable with technical issues and
practice, here are some characteristics of an effective ground rules of the group, although anxiety still felt as trust
counselor. and safety issues continue.
Be organized within your practice. Work Stage (performing) members will begin to identify and
Whether they’re first-time clients or you’ve counseled them work on behavior as they would like to change. Leaders
for years, organization in a counseling practice is key. can best facilitate movement during this stage using variety
Organization of paperwork, scheduling, and personal of advanced counseling skills such as support and
details will give your clients peace of mind and confidence confrontation, higher level of empathy, questions and
in your work. interpretations.
Practice ethically and professionally. Closure Stage (Adjourning) , high lighted the increased
There are many resources for counselors to understand the sense of accomplishment, high self esteem and beginning
ethics of the profession. Some resources include the 2014 awareness that the group process is near completion.
American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, Saying goodbye can be difficult from many.
ASERVIC competencies, and mental health state statutes. The Code addresses the responsibilities of professional
Educate yourself. counselors toward their clients, colleagues, workplace, and
If you are on the path to earn a degree in counseling, themselves by delineating the ideal standards for
you’re already moving forward with one of the most conducting one’s behavior. The ACA’s Code of ethics is
important ways to become an effective counselor. Another based on KItchener’s five moral principles: autonomy,
great way to gain experience is to attend a counseling justice, beneficence, non-maleficence and fidelity.
conference, such as the ACA Conference. Study hard, ask
a lot of questions, and get all the experience you can while  AUTONOMY- refers to the concept of
earning your undergraduate or master’s in counseling. independence and the ability to make one’s own
Be confident in your position and responsibility. decision
Whether you’ve been a licensed professional counselor for  JUSTICE- means treating each person fairly, but
20 years or you’re new to the profession, you must it does not mean treating each person the same
maintain confidence in your work. A client is looking to you way
for help, so use your education and experience assuredly.  BENEFICENCE- refers to doing good or the is
Good clinical supervision is also suggested. the best interest of the client
Be respectful and non-judgmental.  NONMALEFICENCE- means doing no harm to
According to the ACA Code of Ethics, “Counselors are others
aware of — and avoid imposing — their own values,  FEDELITY- involves the concept of loyalty,
attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors” (A.4.b). As a counselor, faithfulness, and honoring commitments
you must respect each client’s beliefs and struggles, and The Code has eight sections
never assert your personal values or beliefs. A) The Counseling Relationship,
Understand the importance of communication. B) Confidentiality, Privileged Communication, and Privacy,
Since every client is different, you may have some that C) Professional Responsibility,
need time to warm up to you, while some aren’t afraid to D) Relationships with Other Professionals,
divulge their life story from the start. Understand that E) Evaluation, Assessment, and Interpretation,
communication needs to be personalized to each client. F) Supervision, Training, and Teaching,
Have a flexible attitude. G) Research and Publication, and
Working as a counselor, you will have to be H) Resolving Ethical Issues.
accommodating. Some clients will be late or may cancel,