Functions and Principles of Guidance and Counseling_ Guidance and counseling have several functions and principles, so what are the functions and principles of guidance and counseling? The following is a review that we deliberately summarize for you.
Guidance and counseling play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate the complexities of life and making informed decisions. Whether it’s students, employees, or individuals facing personal challenges, the principles of guidance and counseling provide a framework for professionals to offer support and guidance. In this article, we will explore the key principles that form the foundation of effective guidance and counseling practices
Principles of Guidance and Counseling
- Understanding
That is helping students or students to have an understanding of themselves (their potential) and their environment (education, work, and religious norms). Based on this understanding, individuals are expected to be able to develop their potential within the environment
dynamically and constructively.b. Preventive
Namely the counselor’s efforts to anticipate various problems that might occur and try to prevent them, so that students do not experience them. Through this function, the counselor provides guidance to students on how to avoid actions or activities that are harmful to them. The techniques that can be used are orientation services, information, and group guidance.
Some problems that need to be informed to students in preventing unwanted behavior include: the dangers of drinking, smoking, drug abuse, dropping out, and promiscuity (free sex).
c. Development
That is the counselor seeks to create a conducive learning environment that facilitates student development. Counselors and other personnel work together to straighten and carry out guidance programs in a systematic and continuous manner in an effort to help students achieve their developmental tasks. Guidance techniques that can be used here are information services, tutorials, group discussions or brainstorming, home rooms, and field trips.
d. Repair (Healing)
That is the function of curative guidance. This function is closely related to efforts to provide assistance to students who have experienced problems, both regarding personal, social, study and career aspects. The technique that can be use is counseling, and remedial theaching.
e. Distribution
Namely the function of guidance in helping individuals choose extracurricular activities, majors or study programs, and determine the mastery of a career or position in accordance with their interests, talents, skills and other personality traits. In carrying out this function, counselors need to work closely with other educators inside and outside educational institutions.
f. Adaptation
Namely the function of assisting educational implementers, especially counselors, teachers or lecturers to adapt educational programs to educational backgrounds, interests, abilities and individual (student) needs. By using adequate information about the individual.
Advisors or counselors can assist teachers or lecturers in treating individuals appropriately, both in selecting and compiling lecture materials, choosing lecture methods and processes, and adapting lecture materials according to individual abilities and pace.
g. Adjustment
Namely the function of guidance in helping individuals (students) to adapt dynamically and constructively to educational programs, school regulations, or religious norms.
Guidance and Counseling Principles
There are several basic principles that are seen as the foundation or foundation for guidance services. These principles stem from philosophical concepts about humanity which form the basis for providing assistance or guidance services, both in school and outside of school. Those principles are as follows:
a. Guidance is intended for all individuals (guidance is for all individuals).
this principle that guidance is given to all individuals or students, both those who have no problems or those who have problems, both men and women, both children, adolescents and adults. In this case the approach used in guidance is more preventive and developmental than healing (curative); and preferably group technique than the individual (individual).
b. Guidance is Individualized.
Each individual is unique (different or the same as others), and through individual guidance is assisted to maximize the development of this uniqueness. This principle also means that the focus of the target is the individual, even though the counseling service uses group techniques.
c. Guidance Emphasizes the Positive.
In reality there are still individuals who have negative perceptions of guidance, because guidance is seen as a way of suppressing aspirations. Very different from that view, guidance is actually a helping process that suppresses strength and success, because guidance is a way to build a positive view of yourself, provide encouragement, and opportunities for growth.
d. Mentoring is a joint effort.
Guidance is not only the duty or responsibility of counselors, but also the duty of teachers and principals. They as a teamwork are involved in the guidance process.
e. Decision Making Is Essential In Guidance.
Guidance is aimed at helping individuals to make choices and make decisions. Guidance has the role of providing information and advice to individuals, which are all very important for them in making decisions. An individual’s life is directed by his purpose.
And guidance facilitates individuals to consider, adjust, and perfect goals through making the right decisions. Jonel et.al. (1970) argued that the ability to make appropriate choices is not an individual’s ability to solve problems and make
decisions.
f. Guidance Takes Place in Various Settings (Scenes)
of Life. The provision of guidance services does not only take place in schools, but also in the family, company/industry, government/private institutions, and the community in general, the
guidance service sector is also multi-aspect, namely, covering personal, social, educational.
In Conclusion
The principles of guidance and counseling form the foundation of effective support and guidance for individuals in various settings. By practicing confidentiality, person-centered approach, non-judgment, and empowerment, counselors create a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and goals. Whether it’s in educational, workplace, or personal development settings, these principles ensure that individuals receive the guidance they need to make informed decisions and lead fulfilling lives.
