ADAPTATION OF COUNSELLING SCIENCE CAN HUMANISE INDIVIDUALS
UUM ONLINE: The adaptation of counselling science is an attempt to restore self-respect and humanise individuals.
Professor at the School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy (SAPSP), Prof. Dr. Noor Azniza Ishak stated that understanding humanity can be achieved through adaptation.
According to her, the application of counselling science in the community involves utilising counselling theories and skills to promote psychosocial well-being through community interactions.
“People need someone to listen, understand and help them to deal with the issues they are facing, and this is the role of a counsellor in a community.
“Counselling in itself is a healing process aimed at assisting our strategic partners, helping individuals to emerge from society as more compassionate individuals,” she said during the 2024 Professorial Inaugural Lecture entitled “Adaptation of Counselling Science in the Community: Towards Cultivating Psychological Awareness for Psychological Well-being” at SOIS Auditorium.
Prof. Dr. Noor Azniza emphasised that fostering psychological awareness within the community can lead to a better understanding of oneself and the environment, in turn it will enhance self-emotional and community well-being for a more prosperous life that benefits others.
According to her, community counselling can vary for different individuals. Community counselling can be implemented in helping families, individuals, couples and communities in addressing and resolving their issues.
She stated that community counselling involves different groups such as the homeless, parents, conflict victims, and individuals of various age groups.
“Community counselling is a field experiencing significant growth and offers appealing opportunities for professionals to provide services to all segments of the society.
“A total of six counselling areas were explored, including counselling science in the community, psychosocial wellbeing and eating patterns, psychosocial wellbeing and recovery, psychosocial intervention and community wellbeing, psychosocial wellbeing and public safety, and psychosocial wellbeing and substance abuse,” she said.
Prof. Dr. Noor Azniza highlighted the practical application of counselling science which involves theories, skills and counselling process practice. These studies aim to gather data and gain insights into the issues and problems faced by the community.
According to her, cultivating psychological awareness can lead to emotional maturity enabling individuals to navigate social life more effectively. This process starts from themselves and extends to interactions with family members and the community ultimately fostering self-control and stability.
At the end of the lecture, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohd Foad Sakdan who was also present, presented a memento to Prof. Dr. Noor Azniza.