Counsellors' shortage affecting students

Schools are currently facing a shortage of counsellors. In addition, as cases have become more complex, the counsellors' workload has increased, and students have to wait longer for their counselling session.

Dione Mifsud, president of the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession (MACP), said that the shortage has put a strain on counsellors, which is also affecting the children and young persons who seek help.

In the light of the upcoming conference organised by the International Association for the Counselling Profession, hosted by MACP in collaboration with the University of Malta, Mr Mifsud spoke about the problems the profession is facing.

The new Master's degree in Counselling, launched last February by the Department of Pyschology within the Faculty of Education, will alleviate the strain. However, another four years will have to pass before the first 30 students, currently in their first year, graduate.

Meanwhile, despite the established ratio of counsellor to student, the number of cases continues to increase.

"Good counselling practice requires that in higher education and university, the ratio of counsellor to student is normally of one for every 1,500 students, while at a secondary level, the number of students is much higher. However, the ratio has changed to a bigger number of students per counsellor. Furthermore, during the past years we have witnessed more complicated cases."

It is hoped that the new Master's degree will address the shortage in three main areas: counselling children and young persons, mainly in schools, community counselling in youth centres, parish centres and perhaps local councils, and health counselling, covering health issues, including helping patients and their families deal and cope with illness.

Counselling is requested widely in schools. Children and young persons often feel the need to talk to a counsellor because of pressing concerns, ranging from problems at school, to problems at home or with friends.

"The counsellor's aim is to make the student aware of the "blind spots", that is, the underlying reasons or concealed situation which is bringing about the conflict which the student finds him/herself in."

"For example, one of the most common conflicts involves parents disagreeing with their children over the peers they frequent.

"The blind spots are two: the young person's insecurity with his/her friends, a result of peer pressure, and the failure to see that the parent's concern emanates from love and genuine care. In this case, the counsellor's task is to make the young person aware of the two aspects." Despite the counsellors' valuable work, Mr Mifsud said that some parents still object to their child seeking help from a counsellor.

"Some parents object to the child's disclosing personal information to the counsellor. While the counsellors fully understand the parents' concern, parents should always keep in mind that the counsellor's work is in favour of the child's best interests. Parents should also realise that a child is more likely to go for counselling when the channels of communication at home would have been broken down."

Mr Mifsud said that the common myth that counsellors give advice to children should also be dispelled.

"A counsellor is prohibited from giving any advice to the child or student. The counsellor's aim is for the child or young person to be able to take an informed decision about the situation which has been cause for concern. This is done through an enabling and empowering process," Mr Mifsud said.

Parents will have an opportunity to learn more about counselling during the upcoming conference which is taking place from July 3 to 6. The conference, entitled Counselling: A Means Of Bridging Differences, is also open to psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, youth workers, lecturers, teachers, facilitators, doctors, nurses, paramedics, students and all other professionals and volunteers who work in a facilitating environment with children, young persons and adults.

During the four-day conference, a workshop will also be organised for children to meet and discuss problems which they commonly face. The session will be addressed by Commissioner for Children Carmen Zammit.

For more information, visit www.macpmalta.org or www.iac-irtac.org or e-mail cikanoga@hotmail.com.