Dear helper,

I really wish to be a counsellor. I am a 21 male doing my final year in Ngee Ann Poly.

Can you please tell me how I can be a helper like you?

Currently I am always counselling my friends when they have troubles. Do I qualify?

Swee Yong

It is good to hear that you have a heart for people. It is certainly most rewarding to be able to be of help to others. However, it is quite a different thing when one has to do it professionally and provide a public service.

Often, a simple problem may not be all that meets the eye. It is very important that a counsellor be properly trained not just to understand the problem but also be able to assess the personality and the gravity of the problem as well.

Accountability is a very important practice in counselling. We need to constantly remind ourselves that we do not always know all the answers. Proper training allows us to define such boundaries and helps us to make decisions that will require us to seek for supervision or do a referral to another more qualified source.

Support groups are also a must in the practice of helping people full-time as one tends to get very much "burnt-out" (very quickly) in this line.

With formal training, you will be able to learn many techniques and skills that will enhance your already willingness to help others. It will also help us to function both with extreme respect for others as well as a great sense of responsibility in the way we operate as we often deal with very important life issues.

My suggestion to you is to get further training if you want to practise professionally. Otherwise, it can also be very satisfying just helping others in the way you are already doing.

Danny Ng