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In the last blog, we discussed about empathy being one of the important counselling skills for teachers to possess. Today, we will discuss about acceptance being another equally important skill. Empathy and acceptance are the two sides of the same coin. According to Cart Rogers, possessing these two qualities along with the quality of congruence is “needed for a helping relationship to be successful.” A major part of counselling and guidance involves the teacher to be accepting and empathetic towards the child where the teacher’s primary function involves listening and responding empathetically.

Acceptance, also known as ‘unconditional positive regard’, brings about respect for people for what they are, for their uniqueness and for their individuality.

By the term acceptance, we mean communicating the warmth that one person really feel for another in times of crisis. This is possible only by active listening, making careful observations and valuing their opinions, thoughts and feelings and communicating that you truly have empathy for them will show you respect them and gain acceptance as a counsellor.

Acceptance also comes from respect for the student that they want to have a fulfilling life and will do the needful to make it happen. However to understand acceptance in counselling, we must first understand its source. The source of acceptance is ‘warmth’ that helps you to give and gain respect and acceptance.

The ability to communicate and demonstrate genuine caring and concern for students is what we call ‘warmth’. It is through their warmth that teachers will be able to convey their acceptance to the student’s present condition, being empathetic towards them. In a word, each and every individual needs to ‘feel heard’. Once they come across as trustworthy and caring to the learners, only then will these young learners participate in the discussion with the teacher, be comfortable with sharing their thoughts and feelings with the teacher and start the counselling therapeutic process.

By conveying warmth and acceptance, the teacher in you must sit back and let the child grow as an individual, let him/her develop his own individuality by only showing the correct path towards self-evolvement and excellence.

Teachers in general must be able to communicate with students from the outset that they accepted the student regardless of who they are or what they may have done. It is important for the teacher to build an atmosphere within which the student can feel safe.

On the other hand, the student also needs to understand and accept his/her own feelings, even if they are unpleasant and uncomfortable to accept. Only by facing these feelings and owning and understanding the feelings will then only enable them to face those and make the correct choices.

Conclusion

However, it must be remembered that improper behaviour is unacceptable. Some behaviour that your students showcase may be harmful for themselves, and their immediate surroundings; it is here that school counselling courses are beneficial that acquaints the teachers with the techniques so that they can show the learners where they are going wrong and steer them towards the correct path.