Introduction to Counseling

Psychology
Aakanksha Verma
Group 1
Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women
Counseling Psychology
Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups
to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. This definition includes a
number of implicit and explicit points that are important to realize for both clinicians and
customers, as follows:

 When the definition addresses that counseling deals with wellness, personal growth,
career, education, and empowerment concerns, it can also be explained as that counselors
work in areas that contains an abundance of issues including those that are personal as
well those that are interpersonal.
 When counseling is addressed as being conducted with persons individually, in groups,
and in families, it means that clients, that counselors see, live and works in a wide variety
of settings and in all strata of society. Also, their problems may either demand for short-
term or for long-term interventions that focus on just one person or with multiple
individuals who are related or not related to one another.
 While referring to counseling as diverse and multicultural, it is meant that counselors see
clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and at different ages and stages of life, and they
then are helped in a variety of ways according t their need.
 When the definition refers to counseling as a dynamic process, it means that counselors
along with focusing on their client’s goals, also helps the client accomplish them.
Counseling is making choices as well as changes.

According to Perez (1965) counseling is defined as an interactive process conjoining the

counselee who needs assistance and the counselor who is trained and educated to give this
assistance. Smith(1995) defines counseling as a process in which the counselor assists the
counselee to make interpretations of facts relating to a choice , plan , or adjustments which he
needs to make . Counseling is also defined as a process which takes place in a one to one
relationship between an individual beset by problems with which he cannot cope alone and a
professional worker whose training and experience have qualified him to help others reach
solutions to various types of personal difficulties (Hahn and MacLean,1955).

Difference Between Counseling and Guidance

Guidance focuses on helping people make important choices that affect their lives, such as
choosing a preferred lifestyle. Counseling is different from guidance, as guidance focuses on
helping individuals chose between what they value and most, whereas counseling focuses on
helping them makes changes.

Difference Between Counseling and Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, like counseling, is based on a healing relationship between a health care provider
and client. Psychotherapy, or therapy for short, also takes place over a series of meetings, though
often is has a longer duration than counseling. Some people participate in therapy off and on
over several years.

The key difference between the two is that psychotherapy involves in a long-term relationship,
whereas counseling involves a short-term relationship, another difference is that psychotherapy
emphasize more on past than on present, whereas counseling focuses of present. Psychotherapy
has also been more of a process associated with impatient settings, whereas counseling is
associated with outpatient settings.
History of Counseling Psychology

1900 - Frank Parsons, Jesse B. Davis, Clifford Beers

1910s- National Vocational Guidance Association, Smith-Hughs Act, Army Alpha and Army
Beta

1920s- Education Courses, Certification, First Marriage and Family Counseling Center

1930s- First Theory of Counselling, Broadening of Counseling, George- Dean Act

1940s- Nondirective Approach, Counselor Training Institutions

1950s- APGA, ASCA, Division 17, NDEA, New Guidance and Counselung Theories

19060s- Devekopmentak Model, Humanitic Theories, Community Mental Health Centers

Act, Code of Ethics, CAPS

1970s- Diversification, Helping Skills Programs, State Licensure, Strong APGA

1980s- Standardisation of Training and Certification, More Diversification, Increased

Emphasis on Human Growth and Development

1990s- ACA, Primary Mental Health Profession, Multicultural Counseling Competencies and
Standards, Increase in Managed Health Care Organizations
 1900-1909
Counseling was new profession in the early 1900s. however, during this period three persons
that emerged as leaders in counseling were:
1. Frank Parsons – He is often referred to as the founder of guidance. He focused his
work on growth and prevention. He is best known for founding Boston’s Vocational
Bureau. He theorized that choosing a vocation was a matter of relating three factors: a
knowledge of work, a knowledge of self, and a matching of the two through “true
reasoning”.
2. Jesse B. Davis – He was the first person to set up a systematized guidance program in
the public schools.
3. Clifford Beers – He found condition in mental institutions deplorable and exposed
them in his book, “A Mind That Found Itself” (1908).
 1910s
The main three events that took place during this time are as follows:
1. The first was the 1913 founding of the National Vocational Guidance Association
(NVGA), which was the forerunner of the American Counseling Association.
2. The second event was passage of Smith-Hughs Act of 1917, which provided funding
for public schools to support vocational education.
3. The third event was that during World War I counseling became more widely
recognized as the military began to employ testing and placement practices for great
numbers of military personnel. Numerous psychological instruments such a, Army
Alpha and Army Beta intelligence tests were developed.

 1920s
1920s was a period of consolidation. Major events that took place during this period are as
follows:
1. Education courses for counselors, which had begun at Harvard University in 1911,
almost exclusively emphasized vocational guidance during the 1920s.
2. Another event was that of certification of counselors in Boston and New York in the
mid-1920s. along with this came the publication of new psychological instruments
such as, Edward Strong’s Strong Vocational Interest Inventory in 1927.
3. A final important event was Abraham and Hanna Stone’s 1929 establishment of the
First Marriage and Family Counseling Center in New York City.

 1930s
Great Depression influenced researchers and practitioners during this decade. Major events
that took place during this decade are:
1. A highlight of the decade was the development of the First theory of counseling by
E.G. Williamson and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota. Williamson
modified Parsons’theory and used it to work with students and the unemployed. His
 emphasis on a direct, counselor-centered approach came to be known by several
names such as, Minnesota point of view. His pragmatic approach emphasized the
counselor’s teaching, mentoring and influencing skills.
2. Another major occurrence was the broadening of counseling beyond occupational
concerns. This began when Thordike began to challenge the vocational orientation of
the guidance movement. Brewer published a book titled “Education ad Guidance” in
1932. He proposed that every teacher be a counselor and that guidance be
incorporated into the school curriculum as subject.
3. In 1938 Congress passed the George-Dean Act that created the Vocational Education
Division of the U.S. Office of Education and an Occupational Information and
Guidance Service. Furthermore, the government established U.S. Employmenr
Service in the 1930s.

 1940s
Three major events in the 1940s radically shaped the practice of counseling, which are as
follows:
1. Carl Rogers published the book “Counseling and Psychotherapy”. He emphasized on
the importance of the client, espousing a nondirective approach too counseling. He
advocated giving clients responsibility for their own growth. According to him, if
clients had the opportunity to be accepted and listened to, then they would begin to
know themselves better and become more congruent.
2. During World War II, the U.S. government required counselors and psychologists to
help select and train specialists for the military and industry. The war also bought
about a new of looking at vocations for men and women.
3. After the war, the U.S. government further promoted counseling through the George-
Barden Act of 1946, which provided vocational education funds through the U.S.
office of Education for counselor training institutes.

 1950s
The decade of 1950s had five major events that changed the history of counseling, that are as
follows:
1. The establishment of the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA). It
was concerned with educational and vocational guidance and other personnel
activities.
2. The chartering of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). It was
established in 1953, and also joined APGA.
3. The establishment of Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) within the
American Psychological Association (APA). Its formation required dropping the term
“guidance” from what had formerly been the association’s Counseling and Guidance
Division.
 4. The passage of the National Defense Education Act (NDEA). The act’s primary
purpose was to identify scientifically and academically talented students and promote
their development.
5. The introduction of new guidance and counseling theories. Applied behavioral
theories, such as Joseph Wolpe’s systematic desensitization, began to gain influence.
Cognitive theories also made an appearance, as witnessed by the growth of Albert
Ellis’s rational-emotive therapy, Eric Berne’s transactional analysis, and Aron Beck’s
cognitive therapy. Learning theory, self-concept theory, Donald Super’s work in
career development, and advances in developmental psychology made an impact as
well.

 1960s
The initial focus of the 1960s was on counseling as a developmental profession. The impact
of the developmental model lessened, however, as the decade continued, mainly due to three
events, i.e., the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, and the women’s movement. Other
major events that happened during this decade are as follows:
1. The humanistic counseling theories of Dugald Arbuckle, Abraham Maslow, and
Sidney Jourard emerged. The emphasis of counseling shifted from a one-on-one
encounter to small-group interaction, behavioral counseling grew in importance with
the appearance of John Krumboltz’s Revolution in Counseling.
2. Another noteworthy occurrence was the passage of the 1963 Community Mental
Health Act, which authorized the establishment of community mental health centers.
3. Also, in 1961, APGA published a “sound code of ethics for counselors”.
4. A final noteworthy milestone was the establishment of the ERIC Clearinghouse on
Counseling and Personnel Services (CAPS).

 1970s
The 1970s saw the emergence of several trends that were influenced by actions apart from
within counseling circles, as follows:
1. Diversification in Counseling Settings – Mental health centers and community
agencies began to employ counselors. The diversification of counseling meant that
specialized training began to be offered in counselor education programs.
2. Helping Skills Programs – These programs concentrated on relationship and
communication skills.
3. State Licensure – By the mid-1970s, state boards of examiners for psychologists had
become restrictive. Some of their restrictions, such as barring graduates of education
department counseling programs from taking the psychology licensure exam, caused
a considerable amount of tension. The result was APGEA’s move toward state and
national licensure for counselors.
 4. A Strong APGA – several changes altered its image and function, one of whicih was
the building of its own headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. APGA also began to
question its professional identification. In 1973, the Association of Counselor
Educators and Supervisors, a division of APGA, outlined the standards for a master’s
degree in counseling.

 1980s
The 1980s saw the continued growth of counseling as a profession, exemplified by proactive
initiatives from counselors associated with APGA and Division 17. Among the most
noteworthy events of the decade were:
1. Standardization of Training and Certification – In 1981, the Council for Accreditation
of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) was formed as an
affiliate organization of APGA. In 1987, CACREP achieved membership in the
Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA). Complementary to the work of
CACREP, the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), which was formed
in 1982, began to certify counselors on a national level. Finally, in collaboration with
CACREP, the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors
(NACCMHC), an affiliate of AMHCA, continued to define training standards and
certify counselors in mental health counseling.
2. Counseling as a Distinct Profession – The evolution of counseling in the 1980s as a
distinct helping profession came as a result of events, issues, and forces, both inside
and outside APGA. Inside APGA was a growing awareness among its leaders that the
words “personnel” and “guidance” no longer described the work of its members.
External events that influenced APGA to change its name and ultimately its focus
included legislation, especially on the federal level, that recognized mental health
providers and actions by other mental health services associations.
3. More Diversification of Counseling – Large numbers of counselors continued to be
employed in primary and secondary schools and in higher education in a variety of
student personnel services. Mental health counselors and community/agency
counselors were the two largest blocks of professionals outside formal educational
environments. In addition, the number of counselors swelled in mental health settings
for business employees, the aging, and married persons and families.
4. Increased Emphasis on Human Growth and Development – A new spotlight was
placed on developmental counseling across the life span. Increased attention was paid
to gender issues and sexual preferences. An emphasis was put on moral development.
Also, the challenges of working with different ethnic and cultural groups received
more discussion.
 1990s
The major changes that occurred during this decade are:
1. One change that was significant was the 11992 decision by the AACD to modify its
name and become the American Counseling Association (ACA).
2. A second noteworthy event was when counseling, as a primary mental health
profession, was included for the first time in the health care human resource statistics
compiled by the Center for Mental Health Services and the National Institute of
Mental Health.
3. A third event in counseling that also originated in 1992 was the writing of the
multicultural counseling competencies and standards by Sue, Arredondo, and
McDavis.
4. A fourth issue in the 1990s was a focus on health care and an increase in managed
health care organizations.

Nature and Goals of Counseling Psychology

The nature of counseling is to assist individuals through a helping relationship to alleviate
current negative responses to challenging a situation. Therefore, well need to explore this
decisive moment together and secure a way through, confidentiality & creating a safe
environment is paramount within the counseling.

Broadly speaking goal of counseling is to help individuals overcome their immediate problem
and also equip them to meet future issues/problem. Though specific counseling goals for each
client are different and unique involving a consideration of the client’s expectations as well as
the environmental aspects the overall goals of counseling may be separated into the following
categories:
 Owning Problems
and Issues

Facilitating Client Developing

Potential Understanding

Goals of
Counseling
Developing Effective ,
Acquiring New
Satisfying
Relationship Bheavior

Promoting Decision Enhancing Coping

Making Skills

 Owning Problems and Issues

It refers to accepting responsibility towards self, problems, life in general , and not blaming
or considering others as responsible. For instance, “if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have
been in this problem” ------ “I realize my continuous yelling at her effect the way she treats
me”.

 Developing Understanding
It refers to understanding about the feelings and somatic reactions, thoughts,
behavior/actions, interpersonal relationships and systemic effect. It also means perceiving
reality more clearly and gaining control of their reactions.

 Acquiring New Behavior

More effective ways of behaving in situations, productive, leading to satisfaction Deciding
on SPECIFIC behaviors to be changed as they make goals more tangible and observable
(Krumblotz, 1966). For example, communication behavior, assertiveness, anger
management, anxiety issues s Behavioral approach focuses more on specific behaviors,
Rogerian approach regards it as an outcome of counselling process without giving much
emphasis on particular behaviors.
 Enhancing Coping Skills
Unlearning unhealthy/ineffective/inefficient ways of coping like withdrawing always,
smoking or drinking, excessively conforming and submissive etc. Also, learning to cope up
with new situations, new demands.

 Promoting Decision Making

It refers to enabling individuals to make critical decisions as it is not the counselor job take
decisions for the client. The decisions are of the clients’ own and the client must know how
and why the decision was made. Also, exploration of consequences – in terms of personal
sacrifice, time, energy, money, risk. Exploration of values – values that are central to the
person, that are related to the situation, bringing values to consciousness Helping individuals
obtain information and clarify and sort out personal characteristics, and emotional concerns,
that may interfere with or be related to the decisions involved
(Decisions about job, marriage, whom to marry, dissolve a marriage, children,)

 Developing Effective, Satisfying Relationship

The counselling relationship is often the initial vehicle by which this occurs. “Though
counselors are not perfect, they should be better prepared to afford a healthy and helpful
relationship than most others with whom the person relates” (Cavanaugh, 1982)

 Facilitating Client’s Potential

Counseling seeks to promote growth of clients by giving them the opportunity to learn ways
to use their abilities and interests to the maximum. Counselling seeks to maximize and
individual’s possible freedom within the limitaions supplied by himself and his environment.
Giving him control over his environment and the responses within him that are evoked in the
environment.
Types of Counseling Situations
There are three types of counseling situations, as follows:

Sitting
Arrangement
Proximity
Physical Between
Setting Counselor
and Client

Types of
Counseling
Sotuations

 Physical Setting
Counseling can take place anywhere, but some form of physical setting can better facilitate
and strengthen the counseling process than others. Benjamin (1987) and Shertzer and Stone
(1980) stress that the location where counseling takes place is among the most important
factor affecting the counseling process. Although there is no universal quality that a room
should have certain optimum conditions in the room where counseling is to be provided, it
can provide a favorable environment for both counselors and counsellors.
The ideal environment requires a space with calm colours, lighting that is neither too
glamorous and cheerful nor too dark and gloomy, free of clutter with harmonious and
comfortable furniture and good ventilation. It should be protected from outside distractions
and should exude a comfort feeling. In short it should be comfortable such that a relaxed
atmosphere is provided in which the counselee can talk in a relaxed mood.

 Sitting Arrangement
The plan for sitting inside the room is dependent on the counselor. Some counselors prefer
sitting behind a desk. However, it has been argued that a desk can be a physical and symbolic
barrier to the development of a relationship between the client and the counselor. Benjamin
(1987) suggests that in the setting counselors could include two chairs and a table nearby.
The seats could be 90 degree angled from each other so that clients can look at their
 counselors or straight ahead. Counselors may opt for a different variation in the physical
arrangement as per their level of comfort.

 Proximity Between Counselor and Client

The relationship can also be influenced by the distance between the counselor and the client
(environmental spatial features). The average range of comfort between counselor and client
of both genders has been found to be between 30 and 39 inches. This optimum distance may
vary depending on the size of the room and the furniture arrangement.
Benjamin (1987) and Shertzer and Stone (1980) emphasises that regardless of the
arrangement within the room, it is a universal requirement that counselors should not be
interrupted while conducting sessions. All phone calls should be held. If possible counselors
should put do-no-disturb sign on the door to keep others from entering. Auditory and visual
privacy are governed by professional codes of ethics to ensure maximum client self-
disclosure.

Skills or Personality Characteristics

Although there is nothing which will ensure change, it would appear that clients are more likely
to achieve their goals when a good and positive relationship exists between them and their
counselor. In essence the counselor’s interactions with the client are a powerful tool in the
helping relationship. The required skills or personality characteristics of the counselor are:

Listening

Confontration Empathy

Non- Genuiness
Dominance

Unconditional
Sensitivity Positive Regard

Open- Concreteness
Minedness
Objectivity
 Listening
The act of listening is further delineated into the following two components, which are as
follows:
1. Attending - Orienting oneself to the client physically means that one is conscious of
the client and, in fact, that the client has your full, undivided attention and care.
Methods include eye contact; nods; not moving around, being distracted, eye contact,
encouraging verbalizations; mirroring body postures and language; leaning forward,
etc. Researchers estimate that approximately 80 per cent of communication is non-
verbal.
2. Listening/Observing - Capturing and understanding the verbal and non-verbal
information communicated by that patient.

 Empathy
The ability to perceive the experience of another and then communicate that perception back
to the individual for clarifying and amplifying their own experience and meaning. It is not
identifying with the patient or sharing similar experiences, not "I know how you feel"!

 Genuiness
Ability of counselor to be free of charge. Includes congruence between outer words /
behavior and inner feelings; non-defensiveness; non-playing; and non-pretentiousness. For
example, if the helper claims that they are comfortable helping a client explore a drug or
sexual issue, but their behavior (verbally and nonverbally) shows signs of discomfort with
the topic this will become an obstacle to progress and often lead to client confusion about and
mistrust of the helper.

 Unconditional Positive Regard

Rogers came up with a term called, ‘unconditional positive regard’ to refer to ‘necessary and
sufficient conditions for therapeutic change’ in the counseling relationship. Rogers
emphasised that the counselor’s positive feeling for the client must never be conditional in
nature. Counselor should have non-judgmental, positive and genuine dispositions towards the
client irrespective of the client’s feelings or emotions.

 Concreteness
It's the ability to listen to what the client says, instead of what is implied. Concrete advice is
essential if the counseling process is to succeed. A counselor who has the skill of'
concreteness ' does not go to the details (regarding psychological explanations) of what the
client is talking about, but instead tries to understand what the client is trying to express. A
 concrete counselor, invariably, listens to and accepts what the client is saying and does not
quickly make his judgments.

 Objectivity
Staying objective in the counseling process means being able to look back and observe what
happens from a neutral analytical point and not influenced by beliefs, prejudices and desires.

 Open Mindedness
Open mindedness means freedom from fixed preoccupations and an attitude of open
receptivity to whatever the client is expressing. The open minded counselor is able to
accommodate the client’s values, feelings and perceptions even if they are different from his
or her own. Open-mindedness also implies the ability to listen, to respond, and to interact
with the client free from the constraints of imposing value criteria.

 Sensitivity
Sensitivity is a prime contributing factor to the effectiveness of counselors. This suggests that
the counselor has a deeper and more spontaneous response (cognitive and emotional
response) to the needs emotions, tension, concerns, etc. of the client

 Non-Dominance
The non dominant counselor is one who is capable of sitting back and allowing the client to
initiate and direct the course of counseling interview. Counseling requires counselor to be
able to listen to whatever the client expresses and listening is possible only if the counselor
controls any dominating tendencies.

 Confrontation
The confrontational potential of the counselor should not be perceived in a negative connotati
on. In confrontation the counselor challenges the client to examine, modify, or control an
aspect of behaviour that is improperly used. A good, responsible and appropriate
confrontation produces growth and encourages an honest examination of oneself. Example of
Confrontation: “You have said you want to change this behaviour but it seems you keep
doing it over and over again. Help me to understand what is going on and how repeating this
pattern is helpful to you.”
Counseling in India
Counseling in its widest connotation existed in one form or the other from time immemorial. In
all cultures the elders not only set the norms of behaviour within that culture but also counselled
the youngsters to follow the norms. In India, elders especially parents and teachers thought that
imparting counseling in the form of advice and guidance was one of their fundamental, and
sacred duty. The often repeated adage, “Mata, Pita, Guru, Deivam” (Mother, Father, Teacher,
God) reminded the youngsters not only of the agents of counseling but also of the priority as to
who should impart counseling at various stages of life. Experts in this field are of the opinion
that the culture of India with the above heritage is potentially oriented to the modern techniques
of counseling.

Counseling was recognised as an important service in India as early as 1938 when Acharya
Narendra Dev committee underlined the importance of counseling and guidance in education.
The guidance and counseling were considered to be new and emerging forces that were vitally
important to the education system. The same vigor was not seen in the 1980’sand 1990’s and
interest in guidance and counseling diminished. Evidence of this decline of interest was seen in
the number of research literature available for review. Despite all this, the recent past has seen a
significant increase in the demand for counseling services at the national level. Counseling was
also identified an essential service by the national framework curriculum in 2005 by the NCERT
((National Council for Educational Research and Training). The strongest attention for
counseling has arisen from the school sector. During its 2001 National conference, the CBSE
resolved that it would be mandatory for all its schools to have trained school counselors. The
nature and scope of counseling itself remains poorly articulated. At present there is no licensing
system for counselors as anyone can become a counselor and there is no system to monitor the
skills in a systematic manner.

Access to counseling service is a matter of great concern. A survey by Arulmani & Nag, 2006,
conducted in 12 different Indian regions revealed that less than 10% of this sample has access to
any form of counseling. There is also a lack of clarity regarding the role of a counselor. Referrals
to counselors cover the entire gamut of mental needs, ranging from severe psychotic problems to
issues such as parenting concerns, childhood disorders, adolescent difficulties and reproductive
health (including HIV/AIDS issues). Marital discord, interpersonal problems, scholastic and
educational difficulties, stress mediated disorders, substance abuse, counseling for career
development, and questions about sexual orientation are other kinds of referrals a counselor
might receive.

The starting salary in this field is expected to vary somewhere between INR 1.79 LPA TO INR
6.23 LPA. A counselor’s salary depends on many factors like qualification, kind of training, area
of specialization, and experience as a counselor. However, the salaries of counselors are not
much lucrative and rewarding. Having undergone a rigorous training, one finds it ridiculous to
waste one’s high potential in such low-paid jobs and the confident young counselors can
conveniently utilize their potential to earn much more in terms of both the financial and social
status as private consultants. Private counseling is consistently picking up in India and has a very
birght scope and future for educational-developmental-preventive, clinical and remedial
purposes. However, such services have not yet reached the small cities, towns or villages as
community services which might be due to poorer recognition and poorer paying capacity of the
people in the villages and smaller towns.

Counseling in Modern India

Finally, the need for counseling in modern India manifests itself against the background of social
change, the nature and pace of which are indeed unprecedented. Age old values are being
questioned. The belief that marriage is a lifetime commitment, for better or for worse is no
longer unshakable as it was before. The marital discord is on the increase, as are divorce rates.
The Indian middle class student is typically required to put in almost 16 hours of study a day to
bear the competition and win a seat in the course leading to a degree in engineering or medicine.
m presented with young people who are forced to choose careers that are popular and “in
demand” but who soon discovered that their real interests and talents lay elsewhere. Increasing
number of young workers show wavering motivation and want a career shift within the first year
of working. Aggression and violence being fed by resentment are increasingly obtained in the
Indian society. These are all complexities a counselor practicing in India is seeing and facing
these days.

Legal Recognition of Counseling in India

The Indian legal system has been instrumental in recognizing counseling as a profession, though
legal recognition of counseling is yet to be raised in India. The recognition of psychological
impacts by Indian Judiciary is increasing. For example, judgment in the case Vivek Singh vs.
Romani Singh called for the counseling of victims and offenders as the need be. Similarly,
recommendation of raising self-esteem and building emotional resilience and conducting groups
therapy by psychologists to save children from being victims of games such as blue whale was
also noted by.

Also, the implementation of Mental Healthcare Act 2017 is expected to bring a revolution due to
the provisions of heavy cist punishments to those who violate the law and he role of police
toward the care of persons with mental health.
Ethics in Counseling
Ethics is generally defined as a philosophical discipline that is concerned with human conduct
and moral decision making. Ethics are normative in nature and focus on principles and standards
that govern relationships between individuals.

To address ethical situations, counselors have developed professional codes of ethics and
standards of conduct based on an agreed-on set of values. Three reasons for the existence of
ethical codes according to Van Hoose and Kottler (1985) are as follows:

1. Ethical codes protect the profession from government.

2. Ethical codes help control internal disagreement and bickering.
3. Ethical codes protect practitioners from te public.

Ethical codes are useful in many ways, but they also have their limitations. Some of the
limitations are as follows:

1. Some issues cannot be resolved by a code of ethics

2. Enforcing ethical codes is difficult within the standards delineated by the code
3. Some legal and ethical issues are not covered in codes
4. Sometimes conflict arise between ethical and legal codes
5. Ethical codes do not address cross-cultural issues
6. Ethical codes do not address every possible situation

Ethics in counseling are:

 Anonymity

Legal Issues Confidentiality

Credentiality
and Licensure
Equality Right as
Relationship Consumer

No Exploitation

 Anonymity
Anonymity means that the counsellee’s personal identity must be strictly kept hidden and
guarded, and must not be shared with any one without counsellee’s permission. However, in
the case of small children, for their welfare, parents and guardians can be given the identity
of child client.

 Confidentiality
In addition to the protection of personal identity, any information the counselllee shares must
be protected and not disclosed or the counselle may lose confidence in all counselors and
question the profession itself. The only exception can be made in special cases where a
counselor may feel the need to share some counseling contact with professional advisors to
solve the problems of counselors.

 Right as Consumer
In a healthy relationship between counselor and counsellee, counsellee must obtain
maximum value in a proportionate exchange of the time spent, cost incurred, and unmet
expectations.

 No Exploitation
Exploitation of counsellee or physical / sexual abuse or emotional abuse is unforgivable.
Since the counselleemay become emotionally dependent / attached to counselor at some
point during the counseling process he / she may be in a vulnerable position, the counselor
 must still maintain emotional detachment within the vulnerability of the counsellee and not
abuse / misuse counselee.

 Equality Relationship
The counsellee’s human dignity must be respected and equality-relationship during
counseling sessions should be maintained. If the counselor feels superior to counselee by
virtue of own expertise, the counselor may become dominating. If the counselor feels lesser
than counselee, the counselor may lose confidence to counsel.

 Legal Issues
The sharing of information, events and acts by counsellee during counseling is legally a
"privileged communication" and none of this, in whole or in part, should be communicated,
revealed or made public in an ethical or legal manner. Such a disclosure will not only be a
personal-moral crime but also a legal offence.

 Credentiality and Licensure

No one with proper education, training and credentiality should take on the noble occupation
of being a' Mental-Health Practitioner / Counselor' or it will mean abuse to innocent people
who are suffering as counsellees. In some countries licensing is mandatory but not in all
countries. Therefore, without licensing, being honest about his / her training, qualifications,
and experience is the proprietary integrity of counselor. Despite credentiality and expertise,
the counselor has to' refer' a counsellee if the counselor feels insufficient expertise for a
particular problem.
 References
 Gladding, S. T. (2012). Counselling: A Comprehensive Profession. (7th Ed) New Delhi.
Pearson.
 Gibson, R. L. & Mitchell, M. H. (2012).Introduction to Counselling and Guidance (7th
Ed.) New Delhi: Pearson.
 Narayana Rao (2008): Counseling and Guidance. New Delhi: Tata Mc-Graw Hill.
 Tim Bond (2000): Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action. SAGE Publication
 Belkin, G.S. (1986). Introduction to Counseling. Brown Publishers U.S.A.
 Sharma, Ramnath and Sharma, Rachna (2010). Guidance and Counselling in India.
Atlantic publishers, New Delhi.