Counselling in Malaysia

Abstract

Counselling in Malaysia has developed impressively since the last four decades. This paper briefly outlines the trends and development of counselling as a formal academic training programme and a recognised helping profession in Malaysia. It appears that the majority of the training programmes are based on Western approaches with limited attention given to the application of counselling on the locals. This paper discusses the group counselling practice on Malays, as the major ethnic race. Six factors that may influence the practice are religion, general emotions, customary traits, help seeking behaviors, language, and family influences. It also provides suggestions to group leaders who deal with this particular race.