Educational counseling Course

Educational, vocational, and school counselors provide individuals and groups with career, personal, social and educational counseling. School counselors assist students of all levels, from elementary school to postsecondary education. They advocate for students and work with other individuals and organizations to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of children and youth. School counselors help students evaluate their abilities, interests, talents, and personalities to develop realistic academic and career goals. rnCounselors use interviews, counseling sessions, interest and aptitude assessment tests, and other methods to evaluate and advise students. They also operate career information centers and career education programs . Often, counselors work with students who have academic and social development problems or other special needs. Counsellors have a unique opportunity to create a rewarding career helping others gain a higher level of fulfillment in their lives. As an Institute-trained counsellor, you will undertake an enjoyable journey of self-discovery as you achieve satisfaction in assisting others attain emotional wellbeing. Becoming a qualified counsellor with an Institute course is the ideal way to gain employment as a counsellor; establish your own counselling practice; develop exceptional skills to assist in your current employment; or simply for personal insight and development. This course is designed to prepare students to become school counsellors while also qualifying as a teacher in one area of the secondary-school curriculum. To this end, all candidates undertake coursework and professional experiences in school counselling and one of the curriculum areas listed on the prerequisites page. This foundation course provides an introduction to all aspects of the counseling profession. History, roles, organizational structures, ethical standards, legal issues and credentialing are included. Public policy processes that focus on the role of the professional counselor with an introduction to advocacy for the profession and clients are included. rnThe importance of professional development and participation in counseling professional organizations and exploration of the role of the counselor as a member of a multidisciplinary team is emphasized. A class project that focuses on a professional aspect of the counseling profession is a culminating activity of this course. The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the major theories of counseling including behavioral, humanistic, social learning, psychoanalytic, and cognitive. Approaches, principles, and procedures of counseling and consultation will be introduced including individual and systems perspectives consistent with relevant research. Interviewing, active listening, communication, problem analysis, and motivation are introduced in this course. Topics include: issues of confidentiality, relationship building, evaluation of outcomes, and referral strategies. Skills are practiced in laboratory exercises. This course emphasizes the use of specific diagnostic psychological tests in a variety of domains. rnSpecific psychological and educational tests used by counselors in educational settings are examined and students have the opportunity to use assessments. Individual and group achievement, curriculum based assessment, and vocational assessments, including the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) are a focus. Other tests administered by psychologists are reviewed so that school counselors may understand and interpret results to parents, teachers, and students to inform educational interventions, advising, and placement decisions.