The Professional Counsellor Pathway sets out clear levels of recognition for counsellors in Myanmar. It ensures safe and ethical practice by defining scope of practice at each stage of development, alongside requirements for clinical hours, supervision, and OPD points. This pathway supports counsellors to grow professionally and deliver high-quality care. For more detail, click here to read and download PDF File.
Professional counsellors are expected to continue learning throughout their careers. The Ongoing Professional Development (OPD) guideline supports counsellors in maintaining and strengthening their professional competence through continuous learning and reflection.
The OPD system used in the Myanmar Professional Counsellor Pathway focuses on the learning value of activities rather than simply counting hours. Counsellors are encouraged to reflect on what they have learned and allocate OPD points based on the relevance and impact of the activity on their professional practice.
OPD activities may include professional training, workshops, specialised skill development, peer learning, or activities that support the counsellor’s wellbeing and professional growth.
All OPD activities are documented in the OPD Logbook and verified by supervisors. To maintain transparency and professional integrity, periodic audits may be conducted through random selection of members, where counsellors may be asked to provide documentation of their OPD activities.
This system encourages counsellors to take responsibility for their own learning while maintaining accountability through supervision and professional standards.
The Scope of Practice Decision-Making Guideline helps counsellors understand the boundaries of their professional competence and make responsible decisions when working with clients.
Counsellors may encounter situations where the client’s needs extend beyond their training or experience. This guideline provides a structured framework to help counsellors reflect on whether they should:
The decision-making matrix encourages counsellors to consider factors such as their level of training, experience, supervision support, and the complexity of the client’s needs.
Rather than creating rigid rules, the guideline promotes ethical judgement, self-awareness, and responsible professional practice. It supports counsellors in recognising their strengths while also identifying when additional support or referral is necessary to protect the wellbeing of clients.
