Philippine E-Journals

Perceptions and Preferences in Counseling

Jesus Enrique G. Saplala | Madelyn Mendoza | Maylene Navalta | Nalla Mallari | Ana Arrogancia | Kristin Magno

Discipline: Psychology, Social Science

 

Abstract:

Fifty-seven college students from different courses were given a survey questionnaire regarding their own perceptions in counseling. Results show that students prefer to consult their peers over counselors due to factors such as familiarity and trust. Teachers were preferred over counselors because of their exposure to the former citing familiarity but not trust. Interestingly, students cited other people whom they trust including boyfriends, nuns or priests, and God, which could be attributed to their exposure and influence to these people in authority, as well as other factors such as the adolescent’s perception regarding trusting adults or simply resistance to disclosing information. In a focus group discussion with selected student respondents, it was suggested that counselors and student-counselees may want to be involved in activities that will provide them opportunities for interaction and to strengthen the trust between the counselor and student-counselee.