Author Information
Rochelle Fernandez, De La Salle University, PhilippinesMaria Joana Kristiana Riñoza, De La Salle University, Philippines
Patricia Mae Taba, De La Salle University, Philippines
Abstract
This study explored the career progression of counselors and their aspirations to acquire new therapeutic techniques to foster professional growth and enhance client care. In the context of an increasingly complex mental health landscape, counselors emphasize the importance of continuous education to address diverse client needs and adapt to emerging trends in the field. Employing an explanatory sequential design, the research integrates focus-group discussions (FGDs) and Individual Development Plans (IDPs) as key tools to examine counselors’ current competencies and identify the therapeutic approaches they aim to master. Quantitative data were first collected to establish baseline competencies and goals, followed by qualitative insights from FGDs to provide a deeper understanding and context. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to counselors’ professional growth, which revealed that counselors are proficient in widely used techniques such as client-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. They reported confidence in applying these methods due to regular practice and formal training. The study underscored the shared desire for ongoing learning opportunities, formal certifications, and structured supervision, highlighting the importance of tailored professional development strategies to support counselors’ growth.
Paper Information
Conference: ACP2025Stream: Industrial Organization and Organization Theory
This paper is part of the ACP2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
Full Paper
View / Download the full paper in a new tab/window
To cite this article:
Fernandez R., Riñoza M., & Taba P. (2025) Elevating Expertise: The Role of Lifelong Learning in Filipino Counselor Career Growth ISSN: 2187-4743 – The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences 2025 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 293-307) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4743.2025.24
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4743.2025.24
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress