Have you ever felt the need to go and see a counselor about some personal problems maybe marital or education wise? Counseling is an academic field and it actually gives a professional the ability to change lives and inspire others through counseling. This is to show that counselling as a discipline or an act is useful and has helped many people in overcoming some of their life challenges.
Counseling can be seen as a process which takes place in a one to one relationship which subsist between a problematic individual who of course cannot cope with his or her problems with or and a professional worker(counselor) whose trainings and experiences qualify him to help others arrive at solutions to their personal problems. Personal problems may include marital challenges, emotional difficulties and so on.
It should be noted that counselling is different from guidance though sometimes people are fond of using the two terms interchangeably. Counseling is much more wider than guidance. A professional counsels buy anyone can serve as a guidance. Our parents always guide us in some of the ways of life, that's guidance. Counseling is often strictly more of confidentiality or secrecy while guidance can take place anywhere and anytime. It's worth knowing that anyone can initiate guidance but only a trained counselor can initiate counseling.
There are some myths surrounding Counseling as a subject matter. These myths help people to think of the meaning of counselling in another way. Some perceived counseling as a negative thing and always show their disinterest in going to see a counselor due to some of the myths below.
1. Counseling is only meant for rich people. Many simply believe that counselling services is only opened for rich people which is not so. There have been quite a good number of establishments for this purpose which charge relatively low and affordable by all and sundry. Some of the government owned don't even charged any amount for counselling services. People often believed rumors and hearsays easily without confirming them. Counseling is not only for the rich but for all. It's not only the rich who are passing through challenges. Sometimes challenges comes our way irrespective of our status
2. Counselors exploit people's weakness. Many people have been led to believe that a counselor will only exploit people to his own advantage. A good counselor does not do that. Many people in marital challenges are afraid to open up to counselors of what they are going through in their marriage because of this misconception. A trained counselor is a professional who has rules and regulations he abides by. A counselor is there to help you to find solutions to your problems not to add to it. Many men who are in some marital challenges always find it difficult to open up to the counselor about their wives because they thought their might be usurp from the counselors to their wives. How funny that is.
3. Counselors act like a dictator. Many believed that counselors will always dictate what is to be done. This doesn't happen all the time. In counseling there is what we call direct and indirect approach. A counselor is not a dictator. He is only there to guide you to possible solutions. Through quality conversations and guide, you realize you also take a part in finding solutions to your own problems. You can always follow or disregard professional advice given to you by the counselor. That shows freedom on your own end to decide for yourself ultimately.
4. Counseling last for years. Due to our dynamic nature. Counseling can always take out new form due to the myriad of events that might have taken place. Your job is to keep yourself updated with by going to the counselor often. A professional guidance given today may be asked to be discarded tomorrow most especially if there have been some turn of events. Don't assume that counsel given is all sufficient and you don't need to go to the counselor again soon.
Counseling is still a field just coming up in Nigeria as Universities are trying to produce graduates who can work in the capacity of a Guidance and Counseling professional. Try to talk to a counselor about your problems. They are not random strangers but professionals who will help you with possible solutions. Thanks
Counselor have a lot to offer to the community.....