SOCIAL CONDITIONING AND STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF COUNSELLING

Abstract

The process of counselling is essentially a relationship between two individuals. As such, each of these individuals brings to the relationship his perceptions of what the nature of that relationship will he. Since the burden of initiating the relationship frequently rests with the client, he will initiate only those counselling contacts which he perceives as legitimate roles performed by the counsellor. As these counselling relationships may occur through circumstances other than client initiation, it is reasonable to assume that the client initiated relationship will he limited by his perceptions of the counsellor and the process of counselling. In other words, the client will seek the aid of the counsellor only in those areas in which he sees the counsellor playing a legitimate role. Furthermore, it is this writer's contention that the student's perceptions of the counsellor's role determines, in large part, his expectations in the counselling process.