Teachers Are Not Professional Counselors: Stop Crossing the Line More on our Whatsapp channel here https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb1F5yOCnA7zkEF6DW1R Many teachers in Ghana think they are professional counselors just because they took an "Introduction to Guidance and Counseling" course in training college. That is like a butterfly thinking it is a bird just because it has wings. The reality is simple—you are not a Professional Counselor. You are a teacher, and your job is to teach, not to handle students’ personal problems as if you are a trained counselor. The objective of the introductory course is to expose you to cases that require counseling assistance, counseling principles and ethics, how to provide first aid as well as integrate the knowledge into lesson planning, delivery and assessment. A Typical Case of a Teacher Who Overstepped A discussion in our WhatsApp group yesterday exposed how dangerous it is when teachers try to act like counselors. A teacher in a Senior High School said a female student approach him for advice about her boyfriend cheating on her. Instead of consoling her and referring her to the school counselor, he took it upon himself to advise her through phone chat to stay in the relationship and solve the problem with the boyfriend. The next day, the girl’s elder brother found the chat and reported him to the headmaster, accusing him of encouraging the relationship. Now the teacher is in trouble, all because he didn’t know his limits. After asking some questions, I discovered that: 1. The teacher was not a trained or appointed counselor—The school had a professional counselor, but the teacher still took the case into his own hands. 2. The girl was not a minor—She was around 18 or 19, so this was not even a child protection issue. 3. The teacher’s advice got him into trouble—His words and actions were misinterpreted, and now he faces the consequences. I told the person who posted the issue that the teacher deserves any accusation and punishment coming his way. Why Do Schools Have Counselors? Schools have professional counselors for a reason. They are not there for decoration or to fill an office space. Counseling is a serious and sensitive profession that requires training, ethics, and accountability. You can easily land yourself in trouble if you don't take care. A professional counselor: 1. Does not give direct advice but helps students explore their options and make their own decisions. 2. Documents counseling sessions so that if any issue arises, there is proof of what was discussed. 3. Keeps conversations confidential and ensures that students understand the importance of privacy and keeps conversation confidential too where necessary. 4. Seeks consent from parents when necessary, especially in sensitive cases and when a minor is involved. What Should Teachers Do Instead? If a student approaches you with a personal problem, you must: 1. Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) – Help the student calm down, listen without judgment, and show support or empathy. 2. Refer Them to the School Counselor – That is the right thing to do. If the school has no counselor, then at least direct them to someone trained in counseling. They know how to handle it better. 3. Know Your Limits – You are a teacher, not a counselor. Stick to your job. Even if you are professionally trained but not appointed, do what you are appointed to do and only act when the one to act is unavailable. You need protection to work peacefully. Why Must Teachers Stay in Their Lane? Teachers who think they can handle students’ personal issues like professional counselors are looking for trouble. Though some teachers are naturally born with counseling gifts and can do it even better than some professionally trained and licensed ones, for your own good, stay in your lane. Your words and actions can be misinterpreted – You might mean well, but people will hear what they want to hear. You can be accused of misconduct – If something goes wrong, you might lose your job. You have no protection – Unlike professional counselors, who are backed by the Ghana Psychological Association (GPA) and regulated by the Ghana Psychological Council (GPC), a teacher who oversteps has nobody to defend them. Who is a Professional Counselor? In Ghana, you need a Master’s degree to be a professional counselor. If you only have a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling or Psychology, you are just a Counseling Assistant. If your degree is in a different field and your masters in counseling, you are not a professional counselor at all. You are just a para-practitioner who can provide basic support, but you should not be handling serious counseling cases. Some people in the WhatsApp group said I was too blunt. But let’s be honest—some people need to hear the truth in its raw form. If you are a teacher, stick to teaching. Stop crossing the line into counseling when you are not trained for it. You might think you are helping, but you are actually putting yourself in danger. If you have love for counseling, get the training. When a student comes to you with a problem, refer them to a professional counselor. If the school doesn’t have one, direct them to someone qualified. If you insist on playing counselor without the right training, don’t cry when it backfires. ✍ Jerry Akporhor || The First Class Counselor ||0247271426||