An exploratory study of student counsellors’ motivations, considerations, and plans in Singapore

ABSTRACT

This paper examines adult learners’ motivation when enrolling into a counselling course, factors that influence their choice of institutions, and employment plans. Survey respondents comprised 288 pre-enrolled students to a Master of Counselling programme. Findings revealed that respondents identified “a sense of calling” and “the desire to help others” as top motivators. Most placed great emphasis on course content and curriculum, credibility and quality of the course, and recognition by professional bodies, locally and internationally when selecting schools. Most respondents looked to a career in counselling upon graduation. The findings will benefit counselling education providers when designing their counselling curriculum, taking into consideration the profile of adult learners, and provide the counselling profession and community a catalyst for generative conversation.

KEYWORDS:

• Singapore
• counsellors
• counselling profession
• career choice
• counselling education
• educational motivations
• graduation plans

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics committee

Approval given by the Swinburne University of Technology Human Research Ethics Committee for the project on ‘An Exploratory Study of Student Counsellors’ Motivations, Considerations, and Plans in Singapore’. Ref: 20,216,140-8967 Approved granted until 08/12/2022

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessica Chan Lai Cheng

Dr Jessica Chan Lai Cheng is the Clinical and Academic Director as well as the Director of Swinburne ECTA Programs Singapore. She a counsellor and psychotherapist and provides employee counselling. She conducts training at multi-national corporations, educational institutions and helping agencies. She is also the counselling consultant of JC Integra (TA) and Berne TA Center.

Glen Bates

Professor Glen Bates is a registered psychologist, and has held various professional positions, including that of Pro Vice-Chancellor, Swinburne University of Technology and Professor of Psychology. Glen taught psychology in Australia and internationally, and has supervised over 50 Doctoral students. A recipient of various awards and research grants, Glen publishes extensively.

Wan Yi Fernanda Goh

Wan Yi Fernanda Goh is currently a penultimate year psychology undergraduate from Nanyang Technological University. Her academic interests include the study of criminogenic theories, forensic psychology and organisational-related psychology.