Psychology and counselling are a wide area of practice and study, underpinned by science, communication, and social skills.
Not everyone wants to be a psychologist or counsellor, but it is important that education personnel gain an understanding of mental health, and ill health. For example, studying basic psychology or counselling skills, or ways to reduce anxiety or stress or anger. Or educators might want to learn more about supporting young people at school, or students who are neurodiverse. If educators don’t understand the actual cognitive process that results in person to learn; how can they ever hope to help students learn.
Additionally, data tells us there is an increase in mental health difficulties worldwide in adults and children. It has been reported that children under five years old are showing an increase in mental health problems. The recent COVID-19 pandemic, ecoanxiety and the wars occurring throughout the world are no doubt having an impact upon people’s mental health worldwide. Mental health issues affect learners and learning. Recognising and responding to this is vital if education is to be successful. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that any learning is of high quality.
Quality education should be learning that:
- is broad in scope and depth,
- is held in deep, long-term memory, and,
- significantly increases the student’s ability to perform at work.
Learning is a Process
Effective psychological or counselling skills education should be seen as a journey that is complicated construction. It can only be built by blending a “real-world” knowledge of what an individual does with a sophisticated understanding of educational psychology.
It can start with the presentation of theoretical knowledge, but that knowledge must be revisited and reinforced, and applied in different contexts to deepen and broaden an individual’s understanding of psychology and counselling.
As students revisit and apply skills in different situations, and repeatedly, our critical thinking, problem solving and ability to innovate grows.
Critical hands-on skills such as active listening, summarising, observing, and conducting research can appear difficult at first, but the more we practice our social skills, the more we gain greater understanding of people and the world around us.
Why Study Human Behaviour?
Populations are going through a tough time with global warming, nations at war, increased levels of mental health difficulties, such as anxiety and depression. By understanding and empathising with each other more, we can work to reduce the misunderstandings and difficulties that can arise. An increased understanding of what makes humans function well and be mentally healthy is important for all of us.
Learning more about human psychology and counselling can therefore help us to understand each other and hopefully improve the world in which we live.