Explain the goals and objectives of counselling.

 The major goal of Counselling focuses on two aspects: developing a rapport or relationship with the client which is professional in nature. Forming rapport is the first crucial objective without which Counselling cannot progress further. Second, Counselling is a process which aims at creating a therapeutic climate in which the counselor and the clients engage to resolve issues, concerns or problems. This therapeutic climate is created based on genuineness, unconditional positive regard and an inherent trust.

The goals of Counselling can also be described as of three types based on their nature and time range: immediate goals which aims at addressing and resolving the immediate concerns and sufferings of the client. Long-term goals refer to the goals going beyond the immediate problems and anxieties of client. It focuses on how the client needs to be ultimately, that is, utilizing all the potentials, being independent and capable. This is preparing the client or developing such competencies in the client so that they can deal with any future problem. Thus the long-term goals aim at achieving self-actualization and making the client a ‘fully functioning person’, a concept given by Rogers. Another important goal is the process goals which refers to achieving a conducive Counselling environment or therapeutic climate that will facilitate obtaining the immediate and long-term goals.

Certain important goals and objectives of Counselling are as follows:

● Facilitating behavior change: Counsellor aims at behavioural change in the client so that it leads to reduction of stress, bringing harmony and fulfillment in relationships.

● Resolution of problems: Counselling aims at solving the problems with which the clients came to Counselling. It thus aims at changing maladaptive behavior, and learning effective strategies to solve and prevent problems.

● Enhancing coping skills: One pertinent aspect of Counselling is to strengthen clients’ coping mechanisms so that they can use effective strategies.

● Promoting decision making: Techniques employed in Counselling help people make choices and solve problems. Client learns to make effective decisions.

● Improving relationships: Interpersonal as well as intra personal enhancement must be worked upon.

● Facilitating the client’s potential: Every individual has the strengths to overcome discomforting situations. Counselling needs to facilitate exploring the inner potentials of client. The process of Counselling helps in recognizing client’s strengths and steers these toward effective problem solving and decision making.

● Achievement of positive mental health: Counselling not only aims at resolving problems and sufferings, but goes beyond it to highlight building up of resources and strengths in individuals. An important goal of Counselling is promotion of positive feelings, mental health and well-being.

Thus the goal of Counselling is not limited only to resolving problems, but also to build resources. It has moved from problem-focused and remedial orientation to a strengths-based and preventive approach. The ultimate aim of Counselling is make the client a self-actualized person, pulling out the best in her/him. As Rao (1999) has pointed out, it is not enough to maintain ‘status quo’, Counselling should go further to help the client transcend the ‘status quo’.

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