WOMENS UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND GENDER DEVELOPMENT

STUDIES

PROGRAMME: DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK

INTAKE: 8

PART A: STUDENT DETAILS

NAME OF STUDENT : Tinashe T Rufai

STUDENT NUMBER : 191688

NAME OF COURSE : Counselling Psychology

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER : 1

CODE : PS225

QUESTION : You have been appointed as a counsellor

of a new counselling centre in Harare CBD, highlight possible

steps you will take to introduce your centre to the community.

Part B: Markers Comments

….

…………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………..................................

Overall Mark :…………. Date Marked: .....................

Marker’s Name : ………………… Signature: ………..................

This assignment is aimed at highlighting the possible steps that should be taken by a
counsellor in a new counselling centre to introduce a new counseling centre to the
community in Harare CBD. Counselling psychology is an area od psychology that
focuses on facilitating interpersonal and personal functioning across a persons life
span paying particular attention to organisational, educational, emotional, health
related, social, vocational and developmental concerns. Counselling psychology
therefore encompasses a broad range of culturally-sensitive practices that help people
resolve crises, improve their well-being, alleviate maladjustment and distress, resolve
crises, which in tern increase their ability to function better in their lives. Kendra
Cherry (2013), also stated that counselling psychology provides therapeutic
treatments to clients who experience a wide variety of symptoms and serves persons
of all ages and cultural backgrounds in both individual and group settings. Any
practice set up to engage in counselling hence has to adhere to the standards and
ethics established by the respective psychological regulating bodies of the countries of
practice such as the American Psychological Association and Allied Health
Practitioners in Zimbabwe. Counselling practices are also expected to consult
regularly with organisations seeking to enhance their effectiveness or well-being of
their members. A new All this is hence put into considderation when looking at the
possible steps to take when introducing a new counselling practice in the community
and this essay shall elaborate more on how to go about it in a new community.

In the initial stages the counsellor assignes to introduce the centre to the community
has to sit down and brain storm, while also taking into considering the various factors
that affect how the centre must be introduced to the community. In the initial stages of
working on introducing the practice to the community the counsellor needs to hence
consider issues such as the type of community they are in, the statistics on the age
groups that mostly populate the community, other surrounding organisations, willing
and available partners, the extent at which they shall engage in outreaches in the
community, cultural background of the people in the community, the prominent
problems being faced in the community and many more other important factors. In
this first stage of planning and brainstorming one important step to take is organising
and approaching other organisations with the intention of figuring out how to work
with them well as a means of promoting community engagement as a new center.
This means the counselor is able to work together with other organisations bringing
cooperation and colaboration in the picture. Cooperation and collaboration provide a
foundation for conducting initial needs assessments and promoting change within
communities. Simply reaching out to other centres and organisations can open a door
for the new centre to receive basic assistance needed in introducing the centre to the
community. In taking this step the new centre is able to work with other organisations
in different ways such as partnering, leading or joining.

After reaching out and finding out the possible networking opportunities available for
the centre with other organisations the counsellor needs to then take the step of
looking into and considering something that is key to the success of the new centres
operation in the community of Harare CBD. The step the counsellor must take is
finding out the problem areas in the community which in tern then gives the new
center a clear picture of what they shall be dealing with and must be prepared to
encounter the most in their practice. To maximize the benefits that the new centre can
offer, it is important to somehow match the centres output to the needs of the
community which makes it critical to conduct some type of needs assessment in these
initial stages. This step can involve asking questions on aspects such as the
communities top needs, social injustices reported in the community or experienced
throughout a certain period of time, issues of concern in the comminity and
worldwide and how to make sure the centre is of benefit to the people in the
community.

Before moving into the implementation stage the counsellor also has to take a few
several steps which will solidify introductionj of the centre to the community and one
of the steps includes finding out which type of population they shall target in the
community or prioritise as they are introducing the centre. The people that the new
centre will engage will entirely depend on factors such as resources available and the
needs the centre is attempting to fulfil in terms of counselling in that community. This
means the counsellor has to locate certain type of groups and individuals in the
community that their centre can target such as the homeless, foster children and
agencies, populations experiencing poverty, those falling victim to different types of
abuse, vocational programs for youths and adults or boys and girls clubs. When this
step is done thoroughly well the counsellor is then able to make a layout of the type of
activities they can implement in the community both in the short term and long term
to engage and help their target population effectively while making the center known
across the community to everyone.

After the counsellor has gone through all the above stages they are then led into the
stage of implementation where they are able to take many practical stepos in making
the centre known according to the information gathered during the initial steps.
During this stage the counsellor can take steps such as using social media to advertise
the center, having awareness campaignes, continuing to engage in networking
programs, engaging in charitable donations and fundraisers and so forth. The
counsellor can work on building a great social media presence as this can definitely
increase the chances of the centre being known more quickly around the community.
Social media has become a big part of many individuals and peoples lives in the
current times and any organisation that has a good social media presence is able to be
known easily even across boarders hence attracting many people and clients to itself,
the counsellor can therfore take the necessary steps to start and grow their social
media platforms such as facebook, instagram and so forth. The counsellor can also
work on advertising through television and radio station which are also effective
social media tools as many families and drivers own either a television or radio. The
centre must also make sure that they have a functional and well designed website that
is able to attract clients on social media. Social media allows the centre to share
pictures and videos of their centre and services they offer.

Engaging in activities such as outreach programs amd awareness programs is also a

practical way of implementing and making sure that the community knows the
existence of the counselling centre in the community. These types of programs also
educate the community on the importance of the counselling services being provided
by the new centre and why clients should be encouraged to contact the practice and
receive their services

Engage in many networking activities so as to connect with other counsellors and

organisations. Networking is quite important when seeking exposure in the counseling
industry. Don’t see yourself as an island of your own. You will at some point or the
other need help from other counselors in your field or other fields. A good way to
network is to join professional organizations in your area and even outside your area.
These organizations do not necessarily have to be one that deals with educational
counseling, you can join other professional counseling groups. The idea is to meet
with other professionals and build contacts. You stand a better chance of getting
referrals and recommendations when you connect with other counselors and
corresponding services.
It is important that you also recommend the services of others and give them referrals
if you want them to do the same for you. You should endeavor to attend seminars,
conferences and other professional counseling gatherings that are organized in your
area. Who knows, you just might meet another counselor whose client needs the
services you offer. Working with other professionals helps you to learn effective ways
to build your brand.

Referrals from Family, Friends and Existing Clients

Word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to market your services and grow
your clientele. It is cheap and does not involve a lot of work on your part. When
people that are close to you or have benefited from your services put in a good word
for you, they help prospective clients to trust your brand. Referrals can go a long way
in boosting your public image and help you generate new business. However, your
family and friends will not refer people to you if you do not tell them exactly what
you do as well as the benefits of your services. You need to explain what your
business is all about and let them know that you desire to expand your business and
reach more people.

You can ask them to write down the names of those that they think will be interested
in hearing about your services. You can ask them to contact these people or you can
simply do it yourself. But you need to ensure that you live up to expectations when
your family and friends give you a referral. Make sure that you provide excellent
service so that your new clients do not feel disappointed. Your clients can only
recommend you when they are impressed by the quality of your service.
Don’t forget to show gratitude to all those who give you a referral. A simple thank
you can go a long way. They will be moved to talk to more people about your services
when they know that you appreciate their efforts.

Organize Seminars
If you are working with a tight budget, you may want to consider this marketing idea
when you are more financially buoyant. However, when you organize seminars and
speak at these events, you increase brand awareness.
You must, however, ensure that you advertise the seminar so that many people can
come. You may want to consider choosing an interest arousing theme for the seminar.
If the topic you choose is boring, you may not get the attention of many people and
the attendance will be poor.
You need as many people as possible to hear you talk and interact with you. You
should, however, involve other professionals in related fields. Don’t do the talking
alone. Your audience will get tired of listening to only you throughout the event. After
the seminar, hand out your cards so that people can reach you for further inquiries.
When you invite other counselors to your seminar, you give them a reason to
remember you when holding their own event.

Start a Blog
Blogging is another fantastic way to boost your online visibility. Having a blog that is
frequently updated with value-adding content will help to attract new clients. You can
write on education-related topics such as the requirements for admission into
international universities, graduate scholarship program near me, and many more
captivating topics.
You build your professional reputation when you post relevant content on your blog.
If you do not feel up to the task of managing your own blog, you can request to be a
guest blogger on the site of other counselors in your field.
8. Vlog
Prospective clients often want to develop a certain level of trust in a counselor before
they request for their service. If they feel comfortable with your method of
counseling, they will reach out to you. In a bid to help new clients become familiar
with your method, you may start offering a trial session for all your new clients. You
must know that if you do this, chances are you will end up wasting valuable time as
some of them will not come back if they do not like your counseling method.
You can, however, make things easy for you and your clients by setting up a
YouTube channel and uploading vlogs to your site. This way those interested in your
school counseling services can get to know your demeanor before they meet with you
in person.

Counselling centre brand

Website
Have a business phone system set up
Networking

Awareness campaign to schools, churches and any gatherings

Websites

Social media platforms

testimonials

Educational counseling is here to stay. Since people will always need it, it is pertinent
that you put your best foot forward when marketing your brand. Besides those listed
in this article, there are many other marketing strategies you can explore. Remember
that your goal is to grow your business. Your career is likely to succeed when you
find the right tools used for counseling services and employ effective marketing
strategies.

REFFERENCES