what do you mean by counselling in education

Counselling is a scientific process of assistance extended by an expert, to needy persons in an individual situation. It is often referred to as the heart of any guidance programme. It is one of the services of guidance which intend to establish a relationship between the counsellor and the subject in which, the former attempts to assist the latter, in achieving optimum educational, vocational, personal and social development and adjustments. For quite some time it was termed an incidental or unscientific process but now it is being made a systematic and scientific process. In the field of education, counselling may be described as the interaction, developing through the relationship between the counsellor and a counselee in a temporary state of indecision, confusion or distress, which helps the individual to make his dislikes and choices, to resolve his confusion or cope with his distress in a personally realistic and meaningful way, having consideration for his emotional and practical needs and the likely consequences of his behaviour.

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Definitions of Counselling

Different psychologist and guidance workers have tried to define counselling in different ways. Some of the important definitions of counselling are given below.

  • According to Carl Regers, “Counselling is a series of direct contacts with the individual which aims to offer him assistance in changing his attitudes and behaviour.”
  • According to Gilbert C. Wren, “Counselling is a personal and dynamic relationship between two individuals-an older, more experienced and wiser (counsellor) and a younger, less experienced and less wise (counselee). The latter has a problem for which he seeks the help of the former. The two work together so that the problem may be clearly defined and the counselee may be helped to a self-determined solution.”
  • According to Myers, “Counselling implies a relationship between two individuals in which one gives a certain kind of assistance to the other.”
  • According to Willy and Andrew, “Counselling is a mental learning process. It involves two individuals, one seeking help and the other a professionally trained person helping the first to orient and direct himself towards a goal which leads to his maximum development and growth in his environment.”
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