There are four primary schools of counseling theory: psychodynamic, behavioral, person-centered, and multicultural. Some contemporary theorists suggest that a 5th school exists, in which the role of the counselor is as an advocate and change agent to combat injustice and oppression. For example, counselors in this school might suggest that helping a client to cope with oppression is in itself an oppressive act and that the role of a justice-oriented helper is to foster activism in the client and in the field. In some respects, the ‘system’ becomes the target of change, and the client/counselor collaboration focuses together on that.
In your opinion, and with support from the readings, is the role of the counselor one of activist and change agent? Or is the primary duty of the counselor to the immediate needs of the client? What leads you to this perspective? Please illustrate your perspective with an example.
