Table Of ContentCounseling
Theory, Skills and Practice
Counseling
Theory, Skills and Practice
R S
ADHIKA OUNDARARAJAN
Practising Pediatric Counselor and Lecturer
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RAXCRRDHRQADZ
To
all the philosophers and psychologists
who made today’s science of psychology what it is
Preface
When I started writing this book, I realized that it was much easier to lecture/counsel
than to write. As a counselor and teacher, with over two decades of experience, I have
taught and learned a lot. I realized that to put it all in a book called for incremental
skills and determination.
This book has been written to fulfi ll the requirements of students and
practitioners in the fi eld of psychology, counseling, education and social work. It
provides a clear and concise account of different facets of counseling study and
practice. Assuming that the reader has had little or no background in the counseling
theories or methodology, it will serve as a resource book for anyone in the helping
professions as it provides the readers with introductory knowledge about counseling,
theoretical orientations, methodologies, concepts, skills and processes that are of
critical importance. A signifi cant aspect of the book is that it elucidates the present
day Indian scenario, and the subsequent need for counseling.
The book is organized into three parts. Part 1, consisting of four chapters, helps
readers understand the concepts concerning the fi eld, its evolvement and relevance
today. Chapter 1 takes the reader through the journey of counseling psychology,
and fructifying into what it is now. Chapter 2 discusses important issues related to
the western approach to counseling and understanding counseling from the various
vantage points like the client, the medium and the major theoretical orientations.
Chapter 3 expounds the psycho-socio-emotional factors that contribute to the pain
experienced by the Indian psyche, the relevance of spirituality in the therapeutic
process, and the overall scope of the fi eld in India. Chapter 4 provides an introduction
to various developmental theories that a counselor should be conversant with in
order to be effective.
Part 2, consisting of three chapters, turns its focus on the actual process of
counseling, to enable readers gain a practical overview of the counseling process.
Chapter 5 discusses important issues related to the counselor. These include the
educational requirements, and ethical and legal issues that a counselor must be
aware of. Chapter 6 elucidates the personal qualities and values of the counselor,
viii Preface
and sets out the characteristics, expectations and goals of the person seeking help.
Chapter 7 details a general model of counseling, the role of communication skills,
the stages in and the evaluation of the counseling process.
Part 3 provides an overview of the scope of counseling. Chapters 9 through 13
discuss main areas where specialized counselors may be called upon to function—
like in the education institutions, rehabilitation centers, group settings, and
hospitals. The special areas are by no means exhaustive, but give the readers an idea
of where and how their services may prove useful. Present day trends in fi eld are also
discussed.
Finally a few case studies are presented from my personal counseling
experience to help readers appreciate the application of theory in practice.
I have attempted to cover the fi eld of counseling as broadly as possible, without
entering into in-depth explanations and detail. This is done to provide the readers
with an introductory knowledge of the fi eld of counseling.
RADHIKA SOUNDARARAJAN
Acknowledgments
Sri Rama Jayam! Sri Gurubhyo namah!
I may have all the six ingredients (effort, initiative, courage, intelligence,
resourcefulness and perseverance) for success, but still there may be something that
makes the difference between success and failure. By my prayer I invoke daivam, the
seventh factor, to take care of the unknown element.
Pranams to Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati who helped me understand the
meaning and purpose of this life. I am eternally grateful to Swami Paramarthananda
Saraswati for showing me how best to live. It is indeed the grace of Iswara to have
given me such dedicated and insightful teachers.
I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr Aruna Balachandra, for her
guidance and expertise. Without her continued assistance and incessant help, this
project would not have been possible. A more sincere and committed teacher I am
yet to fi nd.
I am deeply thankful to my husband Soundararajan for his support and
encouragement. Thanks to my children Vaishnavi and Mathangi, and my pets
Ritwic and Meghna for providing me with the courage to persist and stay deeply
true to myself; regardless of obstacle, setback or naysayer.
I would not be where I am if my father Ranganathan have had any less faith in
me. I am also grateful to my mother Vasantha for her love and encouragement and
for having looked after my family whenever required.
RADHIKA SOUNDARARAJAN
