Local clinical psychologist on the importance of school counselling

POLOKWANE – Clinical psychologist Thabile Mothobela said a school counsellor or any licensed professional counsellor must always work to be aware of new social issues that constantly arise between learners and provide sessions when a mental health issue surfaces.

Mothobela said the primary motive behind counselling at school level is to address a learner’s emotional, social and behavioural needs and to create a seamless and a friendly environment to help learners with different approaches.

She told the Polokwane Observer that counselling is important and can help provide important information and perspective to learners who might not be able to get it otherwise.

“Learners can go to professional counsellors in or outside school to seek advice. The goal of every session with the school counsellor is to help learners thrive and recognise their strengths, as well as to improve their interpersonal relationships,” she said.

Mothobela added that professional school counsellors are often responsible for analysing data on their own effectiveness and adjusting their techniques to maximize their value to learners.

“As a result, the role of the counselor can be ever-changing and depends on a variety of factors at work within the school.”

She added that one of the most important changes recently made to a school counselor’s role is dealing with new forms of bullying, especially cyberbullying that often has an effect on a learner’s mental health condition.

“If and when primary school learners are using technology for communication and socialising, by doing so, they may be putting themselves at risk for a type of bullying that is difficult to deal with for both learner and mental health counselor so it’s important for parents to observe their children and also monitor their devices to see and make sure that they’re not emotionally or mentally bullied because this may lead to them losing focus in school,” she said.