USM PENANG, 23 April 2026 – The Workshop on Counselling Theory & Practice Enhancement organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is regarded as an initiative capable of strengthening trainee counsellors’ competencies through an emphasis on mastery of counselling theories and their practical application.

Held at the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), USM, the programme brought together 33 counsellors and five counselling lecturers from the School of Educational Studies (PPIP).

PPIP Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Rahimi Che Aman, said that a strong foundation in theory must be complemented by practical skills to produce counsellors who are professional, ethical, and systematic in their practice.

She also stressed that a high level of empathy and the ability to respect client diversity are essential aspects in ensuring the effectiveness of counselling interventions.

“In line with current needs, this workshop also emphasises the role of counsellors as agents of change in strengthening the mental, emotional, and social well-being of society through the delivery of inclusive and effective psychosocial support services.

“The skills-based training approach and self-reflection practices incorporated throughout the workshop are able to enhance participants’ capabilities in helping individuals manage stress, conflict, and life challenges more effectively,” she said.

Meanwhile, throughout the programme, participants were divided into small groups to ensure a more focused learning process, while also providing opportunities for more active interaction and continuous guidance from the lecturers.

This approach enabled participants to explore theories in greater depth and apply counselling practices in a more structured manner compared with conventional classroom teaching methods.

Overall, the workshop achieved its objectives and received positive feedback from participants, reflecting USM’s continued commitment to strengthening trainee counsellors’ competencies in producing high-quality and competitive counselling practitioners.

Original Text & Photo: School of Educational Studies, USM/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin