The primary objective of these guidelines is to provide a common framework to all institutions who conduct courses of studies in Guidance and Counselling in Sri Lanka, This revered field has gained worldwide respect and recognition as an area of professional training, ‘The dignity of Professional counselors as well as the rights and privileges of the clients with different psychological needs who seek the services of Counsellors should be safeguarded. With this pure motive, the Executive committee of the Sri Lanka National Institute of Professional Counsellors (SLNIPC) consider it as a courtesy to formulate these Guidelines for the benefit of all engaged in the field.
It is expected that all the Professional Counsellors who conduct lectures and training in counselling in Universities, Colleges of Education, Government Institutions, Non-Governmental Institutions, and the private sector would adhere to these guidelines.
Those engaged in the Counselling services should be dedicated, far - sighted and be patriotic in their Vision “The total outcome of counselling should neither be based on commercial benefits or fulfillment of deep personal interests,
O1 - Minimum qualifications recommended and required for resource persons engaged in ‘Teaching and Training in the subject of Counselling,
Those who are engaged in the counselling profession and those who conduct courses or training in the field of counselling should ensure that the resource persons they employ should possess the under mentioned educational and professional qualifications and experience. ‘The institutions that conduct training programmes should also take necessary measures to recruit qualified persons for teaching and training.
1.1 A degree in Psychology (B.A. Psy) from a recognized University and a one-year Diploma in counselling and membership of the SLNIPC
Or
1.2 Bachelor of Psychology (B. Psy) from any foreign university and one-year Diploma in Counselling and membership of the SLNIPC.
Or
1.3 Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling ( from A Government University) and a pass in Counselling Practice Qualifying Examination (CPQK) conducted by the SLNIPC.
Or
1.4 The Diploma in Psychology(part-i) and Higher Certificate in Guidance and Counselling (part-ii) from the SLNIPC affiliated institute, Sri Lanka and membership of SLNIPC with training in Counselling under the supervision of a “Fellow” member of SLNIPC at least for a period of one year or three years’ experience in a practical counseling setting.
Or
1.5 Person’s with post-graduate qualifications in the field of Psychology and Counselling - such as ~ Ph.D., D.Phil., M.Phil. , M.A, MSc, MCP and holders of SLNIPC membership with a training under The supervision of a “Fellow Member” of the SLNIPC at least for a period of three months, and one year counselling experience.
Or
1.6 Membership in the SLNIPC is compulsory to practice and teach Counselling and psychotherapy.
Or
1.7 If the qualifications mentioned above in 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 are not met with, those processing B.Ed., BA. Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, MBBS (Honors) first degrees and the Diploma in Counselling at SLNIPC, or an equivalent qualification to those mentioned in above 1.1 are deemed to be considered if he/she has undergone counselling practice under the supervision of a Fellow Member” for a period not less than one year duration in Counselling Training plus at least four years’ experience in Practical Counselling,
Or
1.8 If the qualification mentioned above in 1.1, 1.2. and 1.3 are obtained from a foreign university it is compulsory for such resource persons to obtain the CPQE qualification from the SLNIPC.
Or
1.9 Persons with post graduate degrees MBA, MBM, MLRHRM related to business management or HR management should go through HND in Counselling and Psychotherapy Conducted by SLNIPC to teach or conduct trainings.
Or
1.10 Persons with counselling as a subject only in the Post-Graduate Diploma – in Government University or M,Ed., or any other Post-Graduate Course without the relevant conditions of 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 should not be recruited as Teachers or Trainers.
Or
1.11 Those members in the SLNIPC who got the membership for the first and the last, as a recognition for the service rendered as counsellors since its inception in 1983 and with a service of 10 years without break.
And
Those who could not get the membership in the SLNIPC for not having a 10 years continuous service record.
And
Those who have not fulfilled the conditions of 1.1, 1.2, - Without the qualifications of professional exams, training and practical experiences
Should not be recruited as teachers or trainers.
1.12 Where abnormal Psychology, Mental Disorders of children and adults are concerned the services of specialists with MRCP in Psychiatry should be sought. The trainees should get at least 6 hour Clinical ‘Training under the said MRCP specialist in a recommended Psychiatric Unit or in a mental hospital.
2 - Enrolment in Counselling Training
2.1 For training in the counselling profession the trainee should have the minimum qualification of passing two subjects at A/L s. ‘To complete the one year course successfully the trainee should have the necessary academic commitment too.
2.2 When enlisting recruits, it is quite essential to find out whether the candidate is a person with a mental disorder or has been under any Psychiatric treatment. While following the course it is necessary to be careful of the trainees to check whether any trainee develops a mental disorder. In such a situation the trainee should be left out from the course without putting him into any difficulty or embarrassment.
2.3 Even though trainee’s are not suffering from any disorders as such, their mental health and personality should be looked after. If there is a necessity, that such trainees are referred to a professional counselor mentioned in 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3.
2.4 Those who are accustomed to Drugs, Alcohol and other addictions or unhealthy behaviors while following the course should be instructed to refrain from attending the course.
2.5 1 ) Anyone charged with fraud and crime and who was required to appear in a Court of Law as an accused should not be included in the course.
2 ) If the recruit falls into this category while following the course he/she should be left out from the course until the verdict from the court of law totally declares him/her not guilty or acquitted.
3 - The Structure and the Composition of the Course
3.1 Counselling training programmes should be of at least 18 months duration including the examinations and counselling practice.
3.2 The above 18 months course should provide necessary foundation equivalent to a postgraduate level professional training.
3.3 The course should compulsorily provide sufficient knowledge in Psychology, General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Child Psychology, Counselling Psychology and Physiological Psychology or Biological Psychology.
3.4 Apart from the requirements mentioned above in category 3.3, the course should also provide practical knowledge in techniques of Counselling and Psychotherapy preferably on one to one basis ‘This training should be given according to the ETHICAL STANDARDS OF THE SLNIPC.
3.5 The relevant qualifications should not be taken to much consideration very strictly for the teachers who are engaged in teaching different modules of Psychological Subjects, but it is better to have the qualifications indicated in 1.1, 1.2 & 1.3.
3.6 Psychological and counselling, parts of the course should be of equally weighted or more weightage should be given to the counselling part.
3.7 Teaching and Training of Counselling should be conducted according to the internationally recognized standards and code of ethics of the SLNIPC.
3.8 The relevant text books should be recommended for all the subjects in the course of studies. It is preferrable to recommend recent editions (published within the last 5 years) of American text books in counseling and psychotherapy.
3.9 The text books recommended for the course of studies should be the books edited by senior academics in the field of counseling and psychotherapy.
3.10 When the course of studies being handled in English medium the equivalent Sinhala and/or Tamil Technical Terms should be provided. When the course is in Sinhala medium, the English and/or Tamil technical terms should be provided. This will help the trainee in counseling practice as well as the client.
4 - The Examination and the Certificate
At the end of the course of studies an appropriate examination should be held to measure the knowledge, attitudes and skills of the trainee. It should include written, oral and practical tests. To assess the counselling techniques and skills, practical tests should be conducted on basic skills, screening ability of mental illnesses, skills of preparing treatment plans, proficiency in preparing a team for group therapy. This should be performed on one-to-one basis. These tests should be compulsorily conducted by those who are with the qualifications mentioned in the categories1.1, 1.2, & 1.3.
4.1 For the candidates who complete examinations successfully, a certificate should be issued to highlight their knowledge, attitudes and skills.
05 - Required Standard to obtain the SLNIPC Membership
5.1 Any citizen of Sri Lanka who completes the course of studies and the examination, individually or through their Institutions of Training, is eligible to apply for the membership of the SLNIPC.
5.2 There are two options in the constitution of the SLNIPC, for the Institutions Conducting Counselling Courses who expect to forward their candidates for the membership in the SLNIPC,
5.3 Those who seek membership at SLNIPC individually, completing the courses of studies at their own institutions with no affiliation to the SLNIPC, should essentially complete the Diploma-in-Counselling in the SLNIPC”. They are not eligible to sit for CPQE.
5.4 When awarding the membership, the SLNIPC will not consider the applicants, nationality, sex, language, religion or social status.
5.5 The sole objective of the SLNIPC is to develop and make aware of its services among all the communities and to increase the number of ‘Professional Counselors’.
5.6 Applications for membership should be submitted to the General Secretary of the SLNIPC along with,