Counselling is not a cure-all for every difficulty in life, although many people expect it to be. Such unrealistic expectations often lead to disappointment, largely due to a lack of clear understanding about the actual goals of counselling. The following are widely recognized purposes of counselling:
1) Promoting Positive Mental Health
One primary goal of counselling is to help individuals achieve positive mental health. This is reflected in the ability to form meaningful relationships, experience love and affection, and lead a satisfying and balanced life. Counselling supports individuals in developing emotional well-being and interpersonal harmony.
2) Problem Solving
Counselling assists individuals in navigating challenging situations or personal problems. Importantly, the counsellor does not solve the problems for the individual but provides guidance and support that enables the counselee to find their own solutions.
3) Supporting Decision-Making
Making timely and appropriate decisions is essential for success in life. Counselling aims to enhance the individual’s capacity to make independent decisions. The counsellor may provide relevant information, help clarify goals, or explore options, but the final decision rests with the counselee.
4) Enhancing Personal Effectiveness
Effective individuals are able to manage impulses, think creatively, and identify and solve problems efficiently. Counselling fosters these skills, helping individuals become more competent, adaptive, and productive in their personal and professional lives.
5) Facilitating Personal Growth and Change
Change is a necessary aspect of personal development. Counselling encourages individuals to adopt new attitudes, perspectives, and behaviors that promote growth, self-awareness, and adaptability.
6) Behaviour Modification
Another key purpose of counselling is to support positive behavior change. This includes reducing self-defeating or undesirable behaviors and fostering constructive habits and actions. Behaviour-oriented counsellors particularly emphasize this goal to improve adjustment and overall effectiveness.
Summary
These goals are interconnected rather than isolated; fostering mental health, enhancing decision-making, promoting personal growth, and encouraging positive behavior all contribute collectively to the overall effectiveness of counselling in supporting individuals.
