To standardise, promote and facilitate counselling profession, Bhutan Board for Certified Counsellors, BBCC was launch in Thimphu, today. The Founder and President of RENEW, Her Majesty the Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck, grace the launching ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Her Majesty the Queen Mother said the launch marks an important milestone in strengthening counselling services in the country. Her Majesty said over the years, the need for the counselling services have become even greater with an increasing mental health disorder, domestic violence, and sexual abuse among others.
“It is heartening to note that over the years several individuals and organisations have acknowledged the problems and have initiated programmes to provide counselling services. Today we have many young men and women who have been educated in counseling and psychology from universities around the world.
“These young professionals have chosen a vocation to serve humanity and it is our responsibility and in the best interest of our citizenry to provide then support and assistance to carry out their noble task,” said Her Majesty the Queen Mother.
The BBCC will certify the councellors and their license to practice. The Board will also provide platform for the counselors to exchange ideas and to enhance their skills. It will also maintain the network of counsellors.
“They will also help in standardising and professionalising to the International standard,” said the Director of the Counselling Department of RENEW, Tshering Dolkar, adding that the standards will be relevant to Bhutan. “Board will also bring the counsellors who are practicing in different fields and see whether they are following the required standard that the Board set for practicing councellors.”
The launch was followed by a two day bi-annual counselling conference attended by counsellors from various fields. The conference is organised by RENEW with funds from the National Board of Certified Counsellors in the US and UNICEF.
