COUNSELING AND CAREER

INTRODUCTION

As part of the University of Santo Tomas community, the Guidance and Counseling Department (GCD) provides a developmental and comprehensive array of empirically based guidance programs and services. These are defined by outcomes of student academic, career, personal, and social development chunked into several competencies manifested in terms of measurable evidences of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The various guidance activities, ranging from counseling sessions, psychological testing, academic initiatives, specialized training programs and consultation are all geared towards propelling all Thomasian students to use their potentials to the fullest and to successfully reach their goals. The GCD is manned by a team of highly competent, compassionate, and committed counselors whose skills were honed through extensive trainings and experience in working with students. They are passionate in meeting the specific needs of individual students from diverse backgrounds. The counselors serve as key partners of school administrators, faculty, and parents in achieving student academic success. The GCD have proven to meet standards of excellence through conforming with national and international norms set by accrediting bodies and ISO 9001-2008. It remains steadfast in its commitment to serve the Thomasian Community through its programs and services to facilitate holistic development of students. As you explore the web site, please remember that written information is not a substitute for a face-to-face contact with a professional counselor

MISSION
The Guidance and Counseling Department's mission is to deliver comprehensive and evidence-based school counseling programs, in collaboration with educators, administrators and other stakeholders, to ensure students' academic, personal, social and career success.

VISION
The Guidance and Counseling Department envisions itself as a premiere center of specialized counseling and career programs and services provided by professional, committed and compassionate counselors.

Ms. Janice P. Triguero-Ocray

Ms. Danielle Marie I. Cruz

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Am I crazy if I talk to a Counselor?

It is normal for us to experience confusion, sadness, lack of motivation, or helplessness when we feel pressured or stressed. However, it does not necessarily mean that you are going crazy already if you talk to a counselor about these emotions. The truth is, smart people ask for help. We all need to talk with other people to ventilate our feelings and broaden our perspective at many points in our lives. When you seek for counseling service. it only means to say that you want a professional to help you understand yourself better and to find new ways and solutions to handle life's many challenges.

2. Am I a problem student or did i do something wrong if my counselor called for me?

No! The Guidance Office is not directly involved in disciplinary cases. Theres is a separate office in your college/faculty that handles disciplinary cases. Your counselor gives you call slips for many reasons, it could be for routine interview, intake interview, exit interview, follow up or simply for information dissemination. These are all opportune times for you to open up your concerns and be guided accordingly.

3. Can i trust that my counselor will keep everything confidential?

Yes! Your counselors abide by the ethical practice of confidentiality in keeping your records and all information shared in the counseling process. These are strictly kept confidential unless in emergency situations where there is imminent danger.

4. Can the counselor really help me?

Your counselors underwent trainings, pursued their graduate studies, and obtained their licenses in order to become qualified professionals. They are adept in creating a friendly and secure space for students to explore their difficulties and to understand themselves better. They employ various skills and techniques in helping you deal with your concerns.

5.What if my problem is too small to require professional help?

No concern is too trivial for you to dismiss. Anything that is bothering you for a prolonged time and you don't seem to have answers just by talking to your friends and family would indicate your need to talk to a professional.

6. How long do I need to stay to talk to a counselor before my problems can be solved?

It depends entirely on the nature of your concern and your commitment to go through the counselling process. It can be as short as a single session or as long as 10 sessions. It is somethign to be worked out between you and your counselor. On the average, it takes about 3 to 4 sessions.

EXISTING FORMS AND BROCHURES

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

OBJECTIVES

The Guidance and Counseling Department promotes and follows four objectives
-To promote holistic development of every Thomasian Student;
-To offer innovative guidance and counseling programs that best suits the needs of the Thomasian Students;
-To make timely and relevant analysis of student-related data and make them readily available to faculty members and administrators for evaluation purposes; and
-To develop highly competent, committed and compassionate staff for the proficient delivery of guidance and counseling services.

DETAILS OF MEMORANDA, CIRCULARS AND BULLETIN

LINK TO MAIN WEBSITE