The Art of Guidance and Counseling: The Basics

The Basics of Guidance and Counseling

Counseling means to listen to someone’s problem and helping him to deal with that particular situation.

Guidance on the other hand is the act of helping an individual by providing any direction.

The guidance and counseling by an experienced person can make a profound impact on people’s life. It helps them navigate the various problems in their life, such as the several domestic, personal, and social issues.

A teacher does not only teach the students, but he also has the responsibility to groom the personality of their pupils. Therefore, he should be a keen observer that can understand the problems of others.

The guidance and counseling teachers should have significant skills in wise counseling. This is because they have a large social circle to deal with, including students, parents, friends, and ordinary people due to their professional requirements.

Most of the people including students like to share their problems with teachers. And most trust them as well.  Therefore, the teacher must have mastered the art of counseling and guidance.

Listed below are a few points that would be helpful to any teacher tasked with the role of guidance and counseling:

Personality Development

The teacher should have a slightly dominant nature with an appealing and attractive personality. This makes the students or other people not to hesitate to share their problems with them.

A good counsellor and mentor should have empathy, equivalence, and positive regard in his personality. So that people can easily share and discuss their issues regarding any problem.

The unnecessary strictness exhibited by many teachers, usually corrodes students’ confidence. It also limits the friendly relationship between the student and the teacher.

Listening to the issues

Possessing attentive listening ability is very significant if somebody consults you for counseling. It is required when someone approaches you for help. In addition, you should be well aware of and be get ready to be concerned with the problems of other people.

The teacher should keep a keen eye and ear on all of the students’ issues.

If any person wants to meet the teacher to discuss any problem, he should be able to give enough time so as he can understand the problem.

Focus and Wise Thinking

Careful listening is worthless if you do not focus fully on the issues being presented by the client.

Another vital component is the decision making process. It is an essential task that demands a great level of experience. A teacher should be wise enough to sort out atleast most of the problems. 

The decisions made rely so much on your personal past or present experiences to tackle the issues at hand.

Confidentiality

If a person talks to you about any problem or issue, it should always be kept confidential. Infact, it’s your full responsibility as a guidance and counselling teacher to keep it a secret.

Clear and Sound Advice

After counseling, sufficient, clear and sound advice is imperative. If someone talks to you about his problem, and seeks help, then you must give him a clear and sound advice. You will be able to help him make a good decision and give best advice only if you treat his problems as if it were yours.Simply put your self in his shoes to have the clear picture. 

Do not hesitate to take any step to help the person in need. If you are unable to solve the problem, you may refer it to another person. But ensure you do it with a positive gesture.