Needs Assessment for Training Professional Counselors in Tanzania

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess the needs for and training professional counselors in Tanzania. It was conducted in organization and institutions that provide counseling services and/or train counselor The objectives of the study were i) to determine the psychological nee that call for counseling interventions; ii) to identify the profession capacity of counseling service providers and trainers; iii) to explore ho effective training can be implemented in order that counseling can done professionally, and iv) to assert the competence level of trainers counseling professionals in training institutions. The research used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. T nature of the study required non-probability sampling, which combine purposive, and convenience samples of selected organizations ar institutions. Questionnaires, interviews and documents were used collect data. The analysis was done using statistical package for soc sciences (SPSS). Raw data were transcribed and analyzed. It was clear that althou many organizations and institutions use counseling as the means to he their target audiences, there are no local trained professional counsele in Tanzania. Training counselors in knowledge and skills is therefore great need and training institutions are beginning to respond to th need. There are no licensing procedures or associations dealing wi counseling, except for one university that has started to train counselo using lecturers who have minimal credentials. Lack of profession counseling in Tanzania is a major drawback for the country in t provision of medical care. Bio-psychosocial approach to health cann be reached without the contributions of professional counseling. T findings indicated that the crisis of HIV and AIDS, poverty and ignoran give rise to each other.