MORE and more students are studying counselling, counselling psychology or psychology today.This is partly due to the demand for counsellors. After the Covid-19 epidemic, life has changed for many people – young and old.
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Many businesses have closed.
As a result many people have lost their jobs. With no income the entire family suffers.
For some, putting food on the table is a great challenge.
When families are uprooted, mental health is affected. More and more people have mental problems today.
Children are having problems coping with home schooling.
Adults are having problem working from home.
Some have lost their jobs and are mentally challenged.
When people are unsettled they need expert counsellors to help them. Unfortunately it is difficult to find professional counsellors.
The demand for counsellors is increasing.
Students who are leaving school soon, after their SPM or STPM can consider careers in counselling.
Let us learn more about studying counselling in Malaysia.
What is Counselling Psychology?
According to the American Psychological Association, Counselling psychology is a general practice and health service provider in professional psychology.
It focuses on how people function both personally and in their relationships at all ages.
Counselling psychology addresses the emotional, social, work, school and physical health concerns people may have at different stages in their lives, focusing on typical life stresses and more severe issues with which people may struggle as individuals and as a part of families, groups and organisations.
Counselling psychologists help people with physical, emotional and mental health issues improve their sense of well being, alleviate feelings of distress and resolve crises.
They also provide assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of more severe psychological symptoms.
Specialised Knowledge
Across all stages of development (i.e., childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older age), counselling psychologists focus on:
- Healthy aspects and strengths of clients (whether being seen as individuals, couples, families, groups or organisations.
- Environmental/situational influences (how cultural, gender and lifestyle issues shape people’s experiences and concerns).
- Issues of diversity and social justice (e.g., advocacy).
- The role of career and work in peoples’ lives.
Problems Addressed
The problems addressed by counselling psychology are addressed from developmental (lifespan), environmental and cultural perspectives. They include, but are not limited to:
- School and career/work adjustment concerns.
- Making decisions about career and work, and dealing with school‐work‐retirement transitions.
- Relationship difficulties‐including marital and family difficulties.
- Learning and skill deficits. Stress management and coping with negative life events.
- Organisational problems.
- Dealing with and adjusting to physical disabilities, disease or injury.
- Personal/social adjustment.
- The development of one’s identity.
- Persistent difficulties with relating to other people in general.
- Mental disorders.
Skills & procedures utilised
The procedures and techniques used within counselling psychology include, but are not limited to:
- Individual, family and group counselling and psychotherapy.
- Crisis intervention, disaster and trauma management.
- Assessment techniques for the diagnosis of psychological disorders.
- Programmes/workshops that educate and inform the public about mental health, school, family, relationship and workplace issues so that problems can be prevented before they start or reduced before they get worse.
- Consulting with organisations.
- Programme evaluation and treatment outcome (e.g., client progress).
- Training.
- Clinical supervision.
- Test construction and validation.
- Research methodologies for scientific investigations.
Education and training
Both Public and Private Universities in Malaysia offer courses in Counselling and Psychology.
Since it is a classroom based course, it is a common course offered by universities.
Some offer Certificate Courses while others offer Bachelors and Masters Programs.
Please visit their web page to learn more about the course requirements, duration, tuition fees, degrees offered, etc.
Where to study counselling/counselling psychology in Malaysia
l Institut Pendidikan Guru
(Kampus Darulaman) -
Guidance and Counselling
l Institute of Teachers Education
(Tengku Ampuan Campus)-
Guidance and counselling
l Kolej Universiti New Era -
Twinning Program
in Counselling Psychology
l Management and Science
University – Counselling and Guidance
l Open University Malaysia -
Counselling
l UNITAR International University –
Guidance and Counselling
l Universiti Malaya Sabah –
Counselling Psychology
l University Malaysia Sarawak –
Counselling
l University Sains Islam Malaysia –
Counselling
l University Sultan Azlan Shah –
Counselling
l Universiti Tun Abdul Razak –
Guidance and Counselling
l Universiti Utara Malaysia –
Counselling
l University College Bestari –
Counselling
l University of Malaya – Counselling
l Al-Madinah International
University – Educational Psychology
l City University – Applied Psychology
l Cyberjaya College Kota Kinabalu –
Psychology
l Disted College – Psychology
l Erican College – Psychology
l Help University – Psychology
l Heriot – Watt University Malaysia –
Psychology
l Imperium International College –
Psychology
l International Islamic University –
Psychology
l International Medical University –
Psychology
l International University of
Malaya-Wales -Psychology
l Inti International College/
University – Psychology
l Islamic College of Science &
Technology – Psychology
l Kolej Dar Al-Hikmah – Psychology
l Kolej Kamunting – Psychology
l Kolej Pacific Kuantan – Psychology
l Kolej Uniti – Psychology
l KPJ Healthcare University College –
Psychology
l Limkokwing University – Psychology
l Lincoln University College –
Psychology
l Monash University Malaysia-
Psychology
l Quest International University –
Psychology
l Raffles College/ University –
Psychology
l Segi College – Psychology
l Southern University College –
Psychology
l Sultan Idris Education University –
Psychology
l Sunway University – Psychology
l Taylor’s University – Psychology
l Tungku Abdul Rahman University
College – Psychology
l UCSI University – Psychology
l Uniti College – Psychology
l Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia –
Psychology
l Universiti Putra Malaysia –
Psychology
l Universiti Sains Malaysia –
Psychology
l Universiti Selangor – Psychology
l Universiti Teknologi Malaysia-
Psychology
l Universiti Utara Malaysia –
Psychology
l University College of Islam Melaka
– Psychology
l University of Cyberjaya –
Psychology
l University of Nottingham Malaysia
– Psychology
l University of Reading Malaysia –
Psychology
l Veritas University College –
Psychology
l Wawasan Open University –
Psychology
l Widad University College –
Psychology
Career Tips
After completing your studies you need to apply for a licence to counsel your clients.
The Board of Counsellors may have special requirements depending on your counselling qualifications.
It is good to check with the authorities about licensing before even you enrol in any counselling programme.
For further information contact:
Board of Counsellors,
Ministry of Women, Family
and Community Development,
No. 55, Persiaran Perdana,
Precinct 4,
62100 Putrajaya
Tel: 03 8323 2523
Fax: 03 8323 2070
Email:
[email protected]
Q and A
If you have a question on Studying Counselling in Malaysia, write to:
[email protected]
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