Counseling – Yet To Be Understood As A Profession

“I don’t want my friends to know I am meeting you.”- Student
A counselor is a professional who is empowering you. Why are you ashamed of acknowledging your meeting her? You will be in a better place if you are able to put aside your stress and your friends will appreciate you more

“I want to sit and see you counseling” – A Doctor.
I wonder, do any of us ever think “I want to watch you examining a patient?”

There was a widow in my neighborhood who , even after two years of her husband’s death was not really coming to terms with it. Another neighbor of mine , to me , ” Why don’t you counsel her and calm her down?”
“Hello! ever come across any professional- be it a financial consultant, a chartered accountant, an advocate, go over to an individual, sensitize the individual about the importance of the profession in his life and provide the service? or would anyone go to a financial consultant and say, “Excuse me, please help my neighbor manage his finances.  Or go to an advocate and say, “Please go and meet my friend. His family is struggling over a property dispute.”
Then why the discrimination to a counselor?

“Oh! I do know her. We are good friends for a long time, you know.” – A client when she meets me at a social function.
I would love to be your friend but if this garb is being used to hide the professional relationship, O M G!

Counseling is a professional relationship and helps the client to rediscover himself/herself, over their fears and emerge as a better person. Let us respect and regard this relationship between a counselor and counselee.

About Author:  Mahalakshmi Rajagopal, Founder Director Sahayam – One Stop Intervention Centre for Children and Adults.