Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences

Professionals and Practitioners in Counseling

Quarter 1 – Week 3 & 4

Lesson 1 Roles and Functions of Counselors

EXPECTATIONS
You will discuss roles and functions of counselors. Specifically, this module will help
you to:
 Explain the importance of each roles of counselors in different setting, such as the
industrial, educational and clinical setting.
 Define and explain the functions of counselors in the society.

DISCUSSION
As we determine complex problems in the school, especially in this pandemic times, the
roles and functions of counselors in educational institutions are tested and challenges.
Their predefined roles and functions in the educational system makes their profession ever more
needed and recognized as they help and assist our learners during these pandemic times.

Roles and Functions of Counselors

Counseling is an intimate form of learning, it demands a practitioner who is willing to be an

authentic person in the counseling/therapeutic relationship (Corey, 2015). It involves the person to
be immersed in someone else life, and be able to give an authentic support and understanding,
especially in the school and clinical setting. Much in our country’s setting, where we have a young
population. Counselors faced a daunting task to understand this current population.
And even in the pandemic setting, counselors are defined by the roles and functions that they
do, both in the clinical and school setting; and mostly appreciated on the outcome that they
produced for the benefit of their clients. Counselors have the duty to their clients, especially if they
come seeking comfort and care, counselors’ roles become more of a responsibility to their clients.
When counselors counsel, wounds are opened, feelings will be explored and perception and
growth will be secured as the counselor and client journey to wellness and back to functionality in
society (Corey, 2015).

Roles of Counselors

Here in the Philippines, Counseling is a profession (R.A. 9258 also known as the Guidance and
Counseling Act of 2004) that allows you to help others manage their responses to life’s challenges
(Cleofe et al., 2015). It is more just listening, its “active listening”; its more emphatic, it’s caring; the
relationship of client and therapist/counselor are guided by rules and regulations (Code of Ethics,
R.A. 9258) so as to protect not only the Counselors, but also the rights of clients. And as the
counseling profession evolves, so do their roles and functions to adapt in the changing times, to
response to various changes such as, economic, social and technological. And this changes also
affects clients. Most especially in the academic or school setting, the role of a counselor is important
in the school to assist students in their academic well-being (Cleofe et al, 2015). Some examples of
these are the increasing number of students whose parents that are overseas workers; the better
facilitation of students’ learning by addressing their behavioral concerns; progress in knowledge and
use of technology in the classroom; and cultural diversity in the classrooms by having students from
either different region in the country or different countries. Given this situation, the guidance
counselors are considered important members of the educational team. They provide assistance to
students’ academic pursuit, socio-economic need, career plans and moral development. In this way,
the guidance and counseling program ensures that students are able to cope well with their
circumstances. This results in nurturing students who shall be responsible and productive
members of society.
Functions of Counselors

Erford (2014) emphasized that professional school counselors do not take rigid and static set
of functions in the educational system. This means that professional counselors perform their roles
in a continuous state of transformation in response to the current challenges. Therefore,
professional counselors function as follows:

1. Providers of individual and group counseling services. School counselors take an active
role in counseling groups or individuals. In a school setting, professional counselors are equipped
not only in helping individuals understand themselves, but also in providing correct evaluation of
either behavioral or clinical problems a student may have.

2. Developmental classroom guidance specialists. Professional counselors also prepare

lessons and implement guidance instructions to students. These are executed by developing clear
and measurable objectives to meet the needs of the students. To meet these objectives, professional
counselors deliver talks, seminars, workshop, and other interesting activities. Lastly, professional
counselors improve their programs and mode of instruction through consistent feedback and
evaluation.

3. Leaders and advocates of academic success. Professional school counselors have an ethical
responsibility of promoting academic success by helping students identify barriers affecting school
performance. These barriers may be personal (example: living with an absentee or separated
parents); socio-emotional (ex. peer pressure); moral dilemmas (ex. failing an exam or cheating to
pass an exam), or career-related barriers (ex. indecisiveness about a course in college). Professional
counselors guide the students by identifying strategies so they can positively cope with these
challenges and see these challenges as opportunities for growth.

4. Career development specialists. Professional counselors also provide activities that will
prepare students for the demands and requirements of their chosen profession. These activities
include formal writing of resumes, having proper responses to job interviews and knowing
appropriate clothing for job applications. Furthermore, to ensure proper coping and success in the
workplace, professional counselors help students develop essential, basic skills such as effective
communication, creativity, decision-making, critical thinking, and work ethics.

5. Agents of diversity and multiculturalism. Professional school counselors are trained to deal
with and address the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds. For example, because
of the ASEAN Integration foreign students study in our country; counselors may provide assistance
to these foreign students through activities that allow interaction with Filipino students, aimed at
helping them cope with their new environment. At the same time, the counselor will also carry out
a program for the Filipino students, aimed at helping them demonstrate hospitality, respect, and
understanding for their foreign classmates.

6. Advocates of students with special needs and students-at-risk. Professional

counselors give attention to students with special needs-such as the athletes, honor students,
students with absentee parents, those with learning disabilities and other clinically diagnosed
students. They are special groups who need additional assistance to help them cope better-by
providing comprehensive assessment programs to better understand and address their special
needs. For example, students with absentee parents might have stronger needs-in comparison with
students whose parents are always around-for social and emotional support. With this, the
counselor may help them become engaged in extracurricular activities or he or she could even
organize a symposium that will help them become more adjusted with their situation. With
professional counselors also concerned with the promotion of mental health, they could also
organize activities that will help students understand depression, anxiety, phobia or addiction

7. Advocates of a safe school environment. Conflicts, which may lead to violence, happen in
some school communities. For instance, there are issues on bullying-physical, verbal, cyber,
psychological, etc. nowadays. Hence, a comprehensive school counseling program with intervention
components such as school bullying campaign and peer and mentoring can address this issue.
 8. School and community collaboration specialists. To ensure student’s holistic
development and success, professional school counselors work in collaboration with the other
school authorities and with the parents of the students. For example, they cooperate with teachers
to better assist students with learning difficulties or behavioral problems. At times, school
counselors are tasked to prepare seminar to facilitate teachers’ better understanding of the
personality dynamics of students. Though conferences, counselors collaborate with the
parents to best facilitate and promote excellent academic performance of the students. Finally,
counselors also collaborate with the mental health practitioners when a student needs referral. For
example, those with depression may experience hormonal imbalance resulting in depressive moods.
To provide proper response to the circumstance, the professional help of a psychiatrist or a clinical
psychologist is needed.

Lesson 2 Specific Work Areas in which Counselors Work

EXPECTATIONS

You will discuss specific work areas in which counselors work. Specifically, this
module will help you to
 Determine and explain some important work areas of counselors in different setting,
such as the industrial, educational and clinical setting.
 Value the importance of their work areas as they are essential agents of development,
especially in the aspect of human improvement in the society

DISCUSSION

Areas of Specialization of Counselors

The scope of work a professional counselor covers a broad area. Some of the role’s functions
require specialization because counselors cater to the various needs of an individual. Appropriate
counseling services are provided given an identified need. Among the following are some work areas
which counselors delves and specializes:

1. School Counseling. School counselors help students at all levels to understand and cope with
social, behavioral, and personal problems. School or education counselors emphasize
preventive and developmental counseling to enhance students’ personal, social, and academic
growth and to provide students with the life skills needed to deal with problems before they
worsen. School counselors often provide special services, including alcohol and drug
prevention programs, conflict resolution classes, vocational counseling, and also try to identify
cases of domestic abuse and other family problems that can affect a student’s development.
Counselors consult and collaborate with parents, teachers, school administrators, school
psychologists, medical professionals, and social workers to develop and implement strategies
to help students succeed. School counselors help students evaluate their abilities, interests,
talents, and personalities to develop realistic academic and career goals. Often, counselors
work with students who have academic and social development problems or other special
needs.

2. Mental Health or Clinical Counseling. Mental health counselors work with

individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to
promote mental health. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address
issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress,
trauma, low self-esteem, and grief. They also help with job and career concerns, educational
decisions, mental and emotional health issues, and relationship problems. In addition, they
 may be involved in community outreach, advocacy, and mediation activities. Some specialize
in delivering mental health services for the elderly. Mental health counselors often work closely
with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social
workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors.

3. Rehabilitation Counseling. These counselors provide counseling, guidance and case

management services to persons with disabilities to assist them in achieving their
psychological, personal, social, and vocational goals. After conferring with the client’s
physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and the employer, a rehabilitation program
is initiated. The rehabilitation program may range from a week to several years depending on
the nature of the problem and the needs of the client. Rehabilitation counselors are trained to
recognize and to help lessen environmental and attitudinal barriers. Such help may include
providing education, and advocacy services to individuals, families, employers, and others in
the community. Rehabilitation counselors work toward increasing the person’s capacity to live
independently by facilitating and coordinating with other service providers.

4. Vocational Counselors or career counselors help individuals and groups with career, personal
goals, social and educational counseling. Many times, counselors in this field work with
individuals who feel unsatisfied with their career choices, but who are afraid to make changes
because of emotional issues or family or financial constraints. This type of counselor can work
with people of all ages, from adolescents who want to explore career options to professionals
who want to make career changes. Career counselors typically have a background in
vocational, industrial, or organizational psychology.

5. Industrial Counseling. Counselors may also specialize in the industrial setting, where they
could provide workplace counseling to respond to the concern of the employees. Aside from
counseling, they are also tapped in other areas like training or professional development
service or in other activities to help the employees develop soft skills.

6. Marriage and Family Counseling. A marriage counselor is an unbiased third party who can
help couples resolve marital problems. Distressed couples seek the help of a marriage
counselor when they don’t want to divorce but aren’t sure how to compromise on various
issues. Some pastors, churches and religious groups also require that couples consult a
marriage counselor for a specified period of time before they can be married in that particular
religious’ tradition. These professionals typically work full time. Some have their own private
practices and some work for health centers, religious organizations or in similar settings. To
become a marriage counselor, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree in psychology, marriage
therapy, family therapy or a similarly relevant discipline. You’ll also need to obtain a license.
Licensure typically requires clinical practice plus a passing grade on any exams required in
your state of intended practice.

7. Private Practice. Counselors may have their own wellness center or private clinic. The clinic
can accommodate children and/or adults, depending on the counselor’s specialization. For
Example, a child diagnosed with social anxiety disorder may seek help or psychotherapy
during weekends, as a follow-up or support program to the counseling sessions he or she
receives from the school on weekdays.

8. Community Counseling. It is provided to members of the society who encounter difficulties

in the community setting. Counselors who work in the community setting are usually adept
in the community’s background, culture, or practices. They help the members of the
community improve their relationship with each other. Moreover, they are in charge of helping
people adjust and understand their community better to minimize issues.
Career Opportunities for Professional Counselors

Every area of specialization of counselors equates to a particular service targeting a particular

section of the society. It was design that way as to focus more on the society’s problem. And as every
decade or even years pass, the society changes it becomes complex and their problem also becomes
complex. And this provides opportunities for the next generation, our student who wish invest their
future in helping the society, choices to choose from. There are so many schools that are providing
career opportunities especially if you are already a counselor and wish to practice your field of
endeavor, these are the available areas in which you can practice or focus on.

1. Elementary and High School Counselors. Counselors can choose to be inside of the
educational system spending their in improving student’s academic and holistic performance, up
until their graduation of the developmental years, given that in the public school system,
there is a shortage of counselors (Tan, 2009). Counselors working in the elementary and high school
levels usually deal with preschool pupils to grades 1 to 12 students. They provide individual and
group counseling as well as homeroom guidance sessions to support the academic, social-emotional
and personal development of the learners. They also provide career tests and psychological tests to
assess the students’ strengths and weaknesses. Results of psychological tests and other gathered
data (those from interview with students, for instance) are utilized as bases for improving the
guidance program and services.

2. College Counselors. These counselors are focus on the different psychological and problem
needs of students in the tertiary level. Students taking the tertiary level, also undergo a lot of stress,
brought by the demands and requirements of college life; not to mention that the degree of stress
varies from course to course. Counselors are also tasked to implement comprehensive guidance
programs. These includes providing seminars for job hunting skills, how to ace job interviews and
other activities relevant to the student’s development after graduation. They also collaborate with
administrators, students, professors and other party stakeholders in strengthening their guidance
programs and services to further support and develop the students’ performance.

3. Teaching in the Academe. Counselors also have the chance to teach in the academe. They
have the opportunity to share their experiences, as well as, their expertise in the field of counseling
and psychology. Usually the people are also practicing counselors. It’s a versatile asset for any
professor or educator to practice and teach at the same time. It is an ideal desirable attraction for
high school and college students alike. Many schools are hiring practicing professionals, because of
their years of practical experiences and expertise.

4. Workshop Facilitator. Guidance counselors are equipped with competencies that address the
needs of diverse groups through facilitation of seminars and workshops. They can provide activities
to address issues such as mental health, career development, adolescents’ risky behaviors,
resiliency, soft skills, or any other topic concerning psychological conditions of individuals.

5. Career Counselors. Through career counseling and career coaching, counselors provide
opportunities and skills seminar for college students to be more adept, flexible and ready to face the
world of profession. May this be their first entry job, or transitional job, the focus of counselors is to
help student prepare themselves on the demands of the industry. Through seminars and training
soft skills in answering the interviews, they mark students with the ability to cope and be flexible on
the industrial demands.

6. Substance Abuse Counselors. These counselors usually work hand in hand with social
workers and the like. Usually in rehabilitation facilities and centers, they trained people and provide
mental health seminars, life seminars and health substance seminars, to understand how these
drugs and other substance abuse affect their way of life and how they can overcome and prevent the
same problem. Their academic training and preparation helped them to develop programs and
interventions that will address the physical and psychological well-being of clients.

7. Researcher. They are also researchers, conducting experimental based-outcomes, problem

based research, etc. They also identify the most effective activities that will improve the conditions
of certain individuals. They are in charge of the program evaluation and development to further
promote the cognitive, socio-emotional, and moral-spiritual wellbeing of individuals.
 WORKSHEET in
Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences
Performance Task 2: Roles and Functions of Counselors
Quarter 1 - Week 3

NAME: ____________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: _________________________________________ SCORE: _________________

ACTIVITY 1: Situational Analysis

Objective: Determine the Roles and Functions of a counselor in given situations
Directions:
1. Identify what role and functions are or not portrayed in given situations.
2. Provide the role and functions for each given situation. Provide explanation.
3. Answer the follow-up critical thinking questions.

Situation 1:
Counselor Manabat only sees that students who have financial capacity deserve to go to better
schools. So he organizes career orientation for students who are in middle class. He organizes a
different career orientation for the others who cannot afford.

Roles and Function:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Situation 2:
For Counselor Domingo, the LGBTQ+ community and students who have multicultural backgrounds
are all accepted in a Catholic school. So counselor Domingo provided a seminar for all the incoming
Grades 11 and 12 students in the school.

Roles and Function:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Situation 3:
The school is having a crisis of academic performance for Grades 11 and 12 students. Their school is
having a NAT next month. The principal tapped the services of Guidance Counselor Morales for the
students’ improvement and development. Ms. Morales requested a meeting of both the parents,
teachers and other related parties to discuss some academic interventions and rehabilitation
measures to promote development of the learners.

Roles and Function:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. Do you think that when counselors are also determining academic success, it goes beyond
their roles and functions? Should it only be within the expected boundaries of counseling? Defend
your answer.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Is counseling strictly for students who have behavioral problems? Should relationship
problems in school count as an aspect to consider in counseling? Defend your answer.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Why do you think counseling should be a professional one, given that even teachers can also
counsel and give advice? Do you think teachers are also good counselors? Defend your answer.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 2: Life of a Counselor

Objective: Create an overview of what a counselor does as an agent and partner in change
and development of students through creative collage and data gathering of experience of
counselors
Directions:
1. Research on what counselors actually do inside the school. Gather as many you can.
You can ask your school counselors, or you may look it up on the internet.
2. Express the collected data through the cut-out or drawn photographs and place them
in the box below.

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. What did you discover after gathering your data?

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Which do you think is the most challenging for a counselor? Which do you think is the
least?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

3. As a Filipino, what practices or values can you learn from your guidance counselor? How
will you promote these values and practices?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
 WORKSHEET in
Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences
Performance Task 3: Specific Work Areas in which Counselors Work
Quarter 1 - Week 4

NAME: ____________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: _________________________________________ SCORE: _________________

Activity 1: A Profession for Every Situation

Objective: Determine the area scope of counselors that is suited for each needed sector in the
society during the pandemic crisis
Directions:
1. Identify which area of specialization of counselors is suited for every situation or focus
area presented.
2. Answer on the space provided.

Focus Area Area of Specialization Explanation

1. Depressed quarantined
soldiers

2. Kylie was diagnosed

having postpartum
depression.

3. Action research on online

gaming in public schools

4. Children mourn the

death of their mother.

5. Constant fighting of
parents in the house

6. Suicidal thoughts of Juan

Dela Cruz

7. The Grade 10 student of

Miguel Malvar High School
are having difficulty of what
school to go to in Senior
High School (SHS).

8. Drug dependents of
Bilibid Prison

9. Juana was sexually

harassed by her boss at
work.

10. Brgy. Anahaw was on

lockdown for 14 days due to
the rising cases of COVID
19 in the community
 Activity 2: Situation vs Professions
Objective: Determine the area scope of counselors that is aligned to their work which is crucial
in the society during the pandemic crisis
Directions:
1. Identify the area of specialization to the described field of work that counselors do.
2. Provide the importance on how you think this could help in the society.
3. Answer on the space provided.

Area of Specialization Description Importance

Career counselors who help

individuals enrich their careers in
the industrial setting. They
specialized in providing seminars
in decision-making etc.

They have their own wellness

clinics in which they invite or
people seek consultation privately
about their problems.

This is in the educational setting

in which they partner themselves
in the institution helping
students to grow their potential,
academic, etc.

Counselors who address and

treat mental and emotional
disorders, similar to
psychologists and psychiatrist,
they ensure psychological
wellbeing of the individual.

Found in the community in which

they are partners of the barangay
in helping to understand the
community’s background,
culture etc.