Who are helpers?

 Who are helpers?

Sometimes, as in the case of Gerard Egan's textbook The Skilled Helper, the term helper' is used as a generic term to cover all those engaged in using counselling and helping skills, be they counselling and psychotherapy professionals or otherwise. Here, I am using the term helper in a more restricted sense to include paraprofessional or quasi counsellors, those who use counselling skills as part of other primary roles, those engaged in voluntary counselling and helping, and those who participate in peer helping or support networks.

Paraprofessional counsellors are trained in counselling skills, but at a level that falls short of professional counselling or psychotherapy accreditation. For example, some nurses have attended a number of counselling courses and may be skilled at dealing with the problems of specific categories of patients. People with such backgrounds might be called counsellors in their work settings, for example nurse counsellors. However, if the term 'counsellor' in a given context is limited only to those with recognized professional qualifications and accreditation in the area, paraprofessional counsellors become categorized as helpers, despite the quality of their skills.

Helpers, who are not professional counsellors yet who are using counselling skills either as part of their work, in voluntary settings or on a peer support basis. The examples are only illustrative of the vast range of people who use counselling skills when performing helping roles