12
Disciplines and Ideas
in the Applied Social
Sciences
Quarter1-Week 2-Module 4
Roles and Functions of Counselors
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Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences – Grade 12
Quarter 1 – Week 2 - Module 4: Roles and Functions of Counselors
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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad
Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin
Development Team of the Module
Writer: NERISSA M. BEATRIZ
Editors: FLORENIA C. TORALDE / RICARDO M. GAMUROT JR.
Reviewers: JARME TAUMATORGO / JERSON V. TORALDE
Illustrator: KIM ARTHUR B. CARGULLO / RICHARD M. MUÑOZ
Layout Artist: KIM ARTHUR B. CARGULLO / RICHARD M. MUÑOZ
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Module 4
Roles and Functions of Counselors
Introduction: (GET STARTED)
The Republic Act 9258 or the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004 recognizes
the important role of guidance counselors in nation-building as it is embodied in Sec. 3, of
the same Act. There are also authors like Gibson and Mitchell (2003) who enumerated the
roles and functions of a counselor. Hence, this module introduces you to the work of a
counselor and his/her importance in the school setting.
Learning Objectives: (SET THE DIRECTION)
Generally, at the end of the module, you are expected to explain the roles and
functions of a counselor. In particular, you are most likely to exhibit the following
competencies:
1. identify the roles and functions of a counselor;
2. deepen personal knowledge about the roles of counselor in school setting through
a contextualized activity; and
3. reflect on the value of a counselor.
Vocabulary List: (DISCOVER CONCEPTS)
To give you a solid understanding of specific concepts along with roles and
functions of a counselor, here are some important terms you should bear in mind before
proceeding with the mental stretching activity in this module:
Guidance counselor is a natural person who has been registered and issued a valid
Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card by
the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling and the
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in accordance with this Act and
by virtue of specialized training performs for a fee, salary or other forms of
compensation, the functions of guidance and counseling under Section 3
(a) of this Act.
Roles and Functions refer to a specific character or position counselors play in the
exercise of the profession while functions refer to the job description or
responsibilities and obligations associated with the roles of counselors.
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Pre-test: (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE)
Directions: Read the words or group of word inside the box which describes the roles and
functions of counselors. Then, put a check (/) on the box provided if you agree with
it.
Kind &
Approachable
A disciplinarian
Gives advice to
students in need of
help
Information are held
Confidential
A coach
Provides counseling
to students
Assists students in
career planning
Licensed and
professional
Learning Activities: (LECTURETTE)
ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF COUNSELORS
Gibson and Mitchell (2003) defined counselor functions as guidance activities, and
comprised a list of ten activities that serve as a guideline for the overall function of
guidance counselors
1. Individual assessment
2. Individual counseling
3. Group counseling and
guidance
4. Career assistance
5. Placement and follow-up
6. Referral
7. Consultation
8. Research
Seeks to identify the characteristics and potential of
every client;
promotes the client’s self-understanding and assisting
counselors to understand the client better
Considers as the core activity through which other
activities become meaningful. It is a client–centered
process that demand confidentiality. Relationship is
established between counselor and client.
Groups are means of providing organized and planned
assistance to individuals for an array of needs.
Counselor provides assistance through group
counseling and group guidance
Counselors are called on to provide career planning
and adjustment assistance to clients.
A service of school counseling programs with
emphasis one educational placements in course and
programs
It is the practice of helping the clients find needed
expert assistance that the referring counselor cannot
provide
It is the process of helping a client through a third party
or helping system improve its service to its clientele
It is necessary to advance the profession of
counseling; it can provide empirically based data
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9.
Evaluation
accountability
10. Prevention
and
relevant to the ultimate goal of implementing effective
counseling
Evaluation is a means of assessing the effectiveness
of counselor’s activities. Accountability is an outgrowth
of demand that schools and other tax-supported
institutions be held accountable for their actions
This includes promotion of mental health through
primary prevention using a social – psychological
perspective.
Practice Task 1: Comprehension Check
Directions.
1. Based on the lecturette given, identify the roles and functions of counselors in each
situation.
2. Write the correct answer on the space provided.
The counselor keeps and updates a Student’s
Individual Inventory for reference purposes
2.
It happens when the counselor’s clients is a friend
or relative or when he/she redirects the client to an
appropriate person or agency
3.
The counselor is involved in helping an individual
to find ways to work through and understand their
problems.
4.
When the client is not able to understand himself
and the world of work in order to make career,
educational, and life decisions, the counselor can
act as career coach and employ a solution-based
approach
5.
Collaboration with others like parents, teachers,
school administrators in the implementation and
strengthening of guidance programs and services
6.
The counselor gives an annual evaluation form to
assess the strengths and weakness of his
programs and services
7.
The counselor ascertains the changes in
occupational interests of students and assists
them in making adjustments.
8.
The main focus of counselors is the on the
anticipation and avoidance of conflicts or problems
for those facing stress in the future, e.g. test
anxiety
9.
Meeting with a group of individuals whom all face
similar concerns
10. Counselors utilizes evidence-based approach to
counseling
1.
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Guide Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
How do you find the activity?
Are you now getting a clearer perspective on the roles and functions of counselor?
How do you find the roles and functions of counselor?
Would you like to be a counselor? Why?
Practice Task 2: LET’S SYNTHESIZE
Directions.
1. Recall the roles and functions of a counselor.
2. If you are the counselor, what role or functions would you combine to come up with
an effective problem-approach.
3. Write 3 answers on the second column.
4. On the third column, be able to explain your answer.
Situations
Column 1
Column 2
Health and wellness
Students with personal,
social and career problems
Counselor competence
Guide Questions:
1. Describe how do you feel about the activity?
2. Does the activity help you in visualizing the roles and functions of a counselor?
3. How were you able to get the answers?
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Practice Task 3: MY REALIZATIONS
Directions. Write legibly in 2-3 paragraphs a personal reflection on the importance of
counselors in the school setting. Please consider the rubrics below on how you will be
graded.
Criteria
1
The output does
not subscribe to
Organization
the organization
format
The content is
Substance
neither substantial
nor relevant
3
The output is organized
but not logically
sequenced
The content is substantial
and partly relevant
Analysis
Observation is
missing
Observation is inconsistent
with real life situation
Evidences
Viewpoints do not
make any sense
No fact presented but
viewpoints is strong
5
The output is highly
organized and
logically sequenced
The content is very
substantial and
relevant
Observation is
presented in a clear
and rational
viewpoint
All points are
supported with facts
Guide Questions:
1. What were your considerations in composing your personal reflection?
2. How important is the role of a counselor in school setting?
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Post-test: CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
Directions: Read the statements carefully. Draw a ☺ if the statement is True. Write  if
the statement is False.
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2
Teachers are not counselors; but counselors can be teachers.
Individual student Inventory is very important of for needs
assessment and problem identification and assessment
__________
__________
3
Referral is done when an expert assistance is needed that the
counselor cannot provide.
Test Anxiety is an example of prevention services
Counselors are trained professionals whom everyone could seek
help in times of personal and mental health crisis
__________
Individual and group counseling are conducted depending on the
need and problem of the client
__________
Counselors can make or break a person.
Counselors’ evaluation is NOT essential in the establishment of
a solid guidance programs and services.
9 Job and career placement is one of the functions of a counselor.
10 A counselor is a disciplinarian by nature.
__________
__________
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5
6
7
8
__________
__________
__________
__________
Assignment: LEARNING ADD-ONS
Directions: Cut out from a resource material an article that requires an intervention of a
counselor and identify what roles/functions can be given if you are the counselor.
Then justify your answer.
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Answer Key:
Pre-test
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A coach
Kind & Approachable
Assists students in career planning
Provides counseling to students
Licensed and professional
Information are held Confidential
Practice Task 1
1. Individual assessment
2. Referral
3. Individual counseling
4. Career assistance
5. Consultation
6. Evaluation and accountability
7. Placement and follow-up
8. Prevention
9. Group counseling and guidance
10. Research
Post-test
1. ☺
2. ☺
3. ☺
4. ☺
5. ☺
6. ☺
7. ☺
8. 
9. ☺
10. 
Reference:
(Gibson, R., & Mitchell, M. (2003). Introduction to Counseling and Guidance. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall)
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