Guidance counselling seems to be a very complicated phrase in our rich vocabulary because of the numerous theories that ought to be applied by those practicing the profession. It takes its root from the word guide and counsel which are two simple words that must be known to every matured individual. Each of us can be a guidance counsellor in our own right while there are also legitimate guidance counsellors who seem to have a difficulty in applying their profession whenever given the chance to do so.
Parents, grandparents and adults in the community could become guidance counsellors for their children grandchildren and even younger brothers and sisters. To think of it, guidance counselling is not actually a complicated matter because it just entails a matter of common sense in guiding the young ones to strictly observe to the standards of the norms and morals as well as the values of the society. What is important is that as soon as the child knows how to understand and comprehend things, it is best for parents and adults to teach them what are the right things to do and for the older ones to walk the talk so that the younger ones will have the opportunity to reflect on what are the right things to do as they grow old. Let us not frighten the children by using people that they fear as the ones that seem to correct their mistakes. Parents and adults must be patient in explaining to the children which among his or her actions are right and wrong and what would be the corresponding penalties for such wrongdoing. It is in this actuations that we earn the trust of our children instead of believing on what others have to say about a certain situation that confronts him or her.
We have also to admit the guidance counselling is a difficult profession because guidance counsellors have to learn the proper approach and techniques to earn the trust and confidence of erring individuals being brought to them for the proper advises. However, guidance counsellors will no longer have a difficult time handling difficult cases if the said children or even adults are raised the proper way by their parents, grandparents or even older brothers and sisters. Because of their dedication to their job, there are some instances that even the children of professionals are the ones who are being brought to the guidance counsellor for proper advises for their supposed wrongdoings inside and outside the institution where they are enrolled.
The current advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) where even children have easy access to prohibited sites should be a cause for alarm for not only parents, grandparents or adults but also for the guidance counsellors in the different private and public education institutions because they must have to embark on the most applicable ways and means to instill discipline to the younger ones so as not to be swallowed by the advancement in technology. Let us make sure that we are able to police, guide and counsel the younger ones to become responsible professionals in the future and prevent a decay in their morals and values.
By Noemi C. Ingson
