Studies & Degrees in Counseling

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Counseling Study Programs

Counselling Psychology
Bircham International University

Level: Undergraduate Bachelors     Location: Villanueva de la Cañada

Counseling as a field of study cannot be easily narrowed down nor can we readily set absolutes with regards to its scope. The job title “counselor” is pretty jumbled up by its frequent use by professionals that don’t really have anything to do with counseling, examples of which are: financial counselor or admissions counselor. So what is counseling all about?

Counseling is an intimate form of learning wherein professional service is often required. It is an essential tool to the entirety of guidance service; it is aimed high at helping clients become the well-adjusted, inner-motivated and self-actualized people that they are meant to be. It is about establishing rapport between a professionally trained counselor and a client who needs help in self-understanding. But there are several cases wherein counseling does not happen as an intimate exchange of problems and solutions within parties but rather, professionalism often dominates within its bounds in the corporate world. But intimacy between client and counselor cannot be discredited as it creates more efficiency in the counseling process.

Relationship is very crucial to Counseling and should always be based on respect and trust. If it is to successfully lead clients to a better realization and actualization of self and eventually to a point of acceptance, there must first be a connection that is above superficial level between the parties involved, apart from it, there can only be technical solutions and not ones that last. Therapists provide their clients with the necessary information that will help them grow as effective individuals; therapists help individuals get to know themselves better, and help them see things in a better light; they do not judge, condemn or belittle people rather, they provide hope, alternatives, solutions and better choices.

It is not a place where crazy people go to, rather, it is a place to get help and support when things around us just feel pretty crazy. It is where a counselor and a client work together in unity to make the right changes in the client’s view point in life. It is not about fixing or solving someone else’s problem for them, rather, it is about giving them options and guiding them in making the right decisions which in the long run will lead to self-realization and changes for the better. Counseling is a mirror, not only to the client but also to the counselor himself. Counselors must give his/her clients the privilege to be heard and understood by providing them the opportunity to speak their hearts out.

A counselor or any person who wants to help a client through counseling must of course be knowledgeable of the skills necessary for the task, examples of these are: communication skills, verbal and non-verbal alike, skills in accurately grasping the client’s concerns and feelings are also required and lastly, motivation skills are needed. People who take counseling, psychology or psychiatry as a major or an academic degree might land on jobs such as: psychiatrist, psychologist, social workers, psychotherapist, career counselors or guidance counselors.