Discipline and Ideas in Applied Social Science

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Areas of Specialization of Counselors
The scope of work a professional counselor covers a broad area. Some of the role’s functions require
specialization because counselors cater to the various needs of an individual. Appropriate counseling services
are provided given an identified need. Among the following are some work areas which counselors delves and
specializes:
1. School Counseling. School counselors help students at all levels to understand and cope with social,
behavioral, and personal problems. School or education counselors emphasize preventive and
developmental counseling to enhance students’ personal, social, and academic growth and to provide
students with the life skills needed to deal with problems before they worsen. School counselors often
provide special services, including alcohol and drug prevention programs, conflict resolution classes,
vocational counseling, and also try to identify cases of domestic abuse and other family problems that
can affect a student’s development. Counselors consult and collaborate with parents, teachers, school
administrators, school psychologists, medical professionals, and social workers to develop and
implement strategies to help students succeed. School counselors help students evaluate their abilities,
interests, talents, and personalities to develop realistic academic and career goals. Often, counselors
work with students who have academic and social development problems or other special needs.

2. Mental Health or Clinical Counseling. Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and
groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. They are
trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues such as depression, anxiety,
addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, and grief. They also
help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, mental and emotional health issues, and
relationship problems. In addition, they may be involved in community outreach, advocacy, and
mediation activities. Some specialize in delivering mental health services for the elderly. Mental health
counselors often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists,
clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors.

3. Rehabilitation Counseling. These counselors provide counseling, guidance and case management
services to persons with disabilities to assist them in achieving their psychological, personal, social, and
vocational goals. After conferring with the client’s physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists,
and the employer, a rehabilitation program is initiated. The rehabilitation program may range from a
week to several years depending on the nature of the problem and the needs of the client. Rehabilitation
counselors are trained to recognize and to help lessen environmental and attitudinal barriers. Such help
may include providing education, and advocacy services to individuals, families, employers, and others
in the community. Rehabilitation counselors work toward increasing the person’s capacity to live
independently by facilitating and coordinating with other service providers.

4. Vocational Counselors or career counselors help individuals and groups with career, personal goals,
social and educational counseling. Many times, counselors in this field work with individuals who feel
unsatisfied with their career choices, but who are afraid to make changes because of emotional issues or
Discipline and Ideas in Applied Social Science
family or financial constraints. This type of counselor can work with people of all ages, from
adolescents who want to explore career options to professionals who want to make career changes.
Career counselors typically have a background in vocational, industrial, or organizational psychology.

5. Industrial Counseling. Counselors may also specialize in the industrial setting, where they could
provide workplace counseling to respond to the concern of the employees. Aside from counseling, they
are also tapped in other areas like training or professional development service or in other activities to
help the employees develop soft skills.

6. Marriage and Family Counseling. A marriage counselor is an unbiased third party who can help
couples resolve marital problems. Distressed couples seek the help of a marriage counselor when they
don’t want to divorce but aren’t sure how to compromise on various issues. Some pastors, churches and
religious groups also require that couples consult a marriage counselor for a specified period of time
before they can be married in that particular religious tradition. These professionals typically work full
time. Some have their own private practices and some work for health centers, religious organizations or
in similar settings. To become a marriage counselor, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree in
psychology, marriage therapy, family therapy or a similarly relevant discipline. You’ll also need to
obtain a license. Licensure typically requires clinical practice plus a passing grade on any exams
required in your state of intended practice.

7. Private Practice. Counselors may have their own wellness center or private clinic. The clinic can
accommodate children and/or adults, depending on the counselor’s specialization. For Example, a child
diagnosed with social anxiety disorder may seek help or psychotherapy during weekends, as a follow-up
or support program to the counseling sessions he or she receives from the school on weekdays.

8. Community Counseling. It is provided to members of the society who encounter difficulties in the
community setting. Counselors who work in the community setting are usually adept in the
community’s background, culture, or practices. They help the members of the community improve their
relationship with each other. Moreover, they are in charge of helping people adjust and understand their
community better to minimize issues.

Career Opportunities for Professional Counselors

Every area of specialization of counselors equates to a particular service targeting a particular section of
the society. It was design that way as to focus more on the society’s problem. And as every decade or even
years pass, the society changes it becomes complex and their problem also becomes complex. And this provides
opportunities for the next generation, our student who wish invest their future in helping the society, choices to
choose from. There are so many schools that are providing career opportunities especially if you are already a
counselor and wish to practice your field of endeavor, these are the available areas in which you can practice or
focus on.
1. Elementary and High School Counselors. Counselors can choose to be inside of the educational
system spending their in improving student’s academic and holistic performance, up until their
graduation of the developmental years, given that in the public school system, there is a shortage of
counselors (Tan, 2009). Counselors working in the elementary and high school levels usually deal with
preschool pupils to grades 1 to 12 students. They provide individual and group counseling as well as
Discipline and Ideas in Applied Social Science
homeroom guidance sessions to support the academic, social-emotional and personal development of the
learners.
2. College Counselors. These counselors are focus on the different psychological and problem needs of
students in the tertiary level. Students taking the tertiary level, also undergo a lot of stress, brought by
the demands and requirements of college life; not to mention that the degree of stress varies from course
to course. Counselors are also tasked to implement comprehensive guidance programs. These includes
providing seminars for job hunting skills, how to ace job interviews and other activities relevant to the
student’s development after graduation. They also collaborate with administrators, students, professors
and other party stakeholders in strengthening their guidance programs and services to further support
and develop the students’ performance.
3. Teaching in the Academe. Counselors also have the chance to teach in the academe. They have the
opportunity to share their experiences, as well as, their expertise in the field of counseling and
psychology. Usually, the people are also practicing counselors. It’s a versatile asset for any professor or
educator to practice and teach at the same time. It is an ideal desirable attraction for high school and
college students alike. Many schools are hiring practicing professionals, because of their years of
practical experiences and expertise.
4. Workshop Facilitator. Guidance counselors are equipped with competencies that address the needs of
diverse groups through facilitation of seminars and workshops. They can provide activities to address
issues such as mental health, career development, adolescents’ risky behaviors, resiliency, soft skills, or
any other topic concerning psychological conditions of individuals.
5. Career Counselors. Through career counseling and career coaching, counselors provide opportunities
and skills seminar for college students to be more adept, flexible and ready to face the world of
profession. May this be their first entry job, or transitional job, the focus of counselors is to help student
prepare themselves on the demands of the industry. Through seminars and training soft skills in
answering the interviews, they mark students with the ability to cope and be flexible on the industrial
demands.
6. Substance Abuse Counselors. These counselors usually work hand in hand with social workers and the
like. Usually in rehabilitation facilities and centers, they trained people and provide mental health
seminars, life seminars and health substance seminars, to understand how these drugs and other
substance abuse affect their way of life and how they can overcome and prevent the same problem.
Their academic training and preparation helped them to develop programs and interventions that will
address the physical and psychological well-being of clients.
7. Researcher. They are also researchers, conducting experimental based-outcomes, problem-based
research, etc. They also identify the most effective activities that will improve the conditions of certain
individuals. They are in charge of the program evaluation and development to further promote the
cognitive, socio-emotional, and moral-spiritual wellbeing of individuals.
Discipline and Ideas in Applied Social Science

Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________ Score: ___________

Activity 1. A Profession for every situation
Objective: Determine the area scope of counselors that is suited for each needed sector in the society during the
pandemic crisis
Directions:
1. Identify which area of specialization of counselors is suited for every situation or focus area presented.
2. Answer on the space provided.
Focus Area Area of Specialization
1. Depressed quarantined soldiers

2. Kylie was diagnosed having postpartum depression

3. Children mourns that death of their mother in

Pontevedra Capiz
4. Constant fighting of parent in the house

5. Suicidal thought of Angelou Marasigan

6. The grade 10 student of Miguel Malvar High

School are having difficulty of what school to go to
in the SHS.
7. Drug dependents of Bilibid Prison

8. Ana was sexually harassed by her boss Sir. Alvin

Activity 2. CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Direction: What do you want when you grow-up? Below is a reflective essay indicating your plans for the next
year to come. You only have 2 years in the Senior High School, so you must count most of it especially when
you are choosing what matters to you the most. Your career, your life ahead. Write your name and signature
after the essay. Write your answer on a piece of paper.

_____________________________
Title of your Reflective Essay
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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Discipline and Ideas in Applied Social Science
Name and Signature