MAC Formation
MAC was formed on 15th February 1999 at a meeting held in Blantyre at the Malawi College of Health Sciences campus. MAC was formed then by people who attended the Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN) courses in counselling. Upon realizing that only HIV/AIDS counselling was being provided, that services were poorly coordinated, and that many counsellors who were providing counselling services were doing so in isolation, since there was no organization coordinating such activities.
Apart from HIV/AIDS counselling, participants to the meeting noted that other psychological problems such as rape, divorce, domestic violence, suicidal attempts, drug and alcohol abuse and juvenile delinquency, teenage pregnancies and abortions are quite common in both urban and rural Malawi. These issues were and still are on the increase and there is need for formal professional counselling services to assist people.
MAC Registration
In 1999, Malawi Association of Counsellors came to life, and on the 27th February 2002, MAC received its Certificate of Incorporation under the provisions of the Trustees Incorporation Acts, 1962 as “The Registered Trustees of Malawi Association of Counsellors".
MAC Objectives
- Establish and maintain a register of registered counsellors with an identity card and badge in Malawi
- Promote highest professional standards according to MAC counselling ethics and Standards of Practice.
- Promote public awareness of counselling services.
- Organise counselling training, workshops and conferences.
- Produce regular newsletter about counselling services
- Establish Counselling Certification
- Conduct research in counselling related activities.
- Develop reference materials and manuals on counselling.
- Provide counselling services during crisis situations.
- Implement monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for effective counselling services
- Promote the development of private practice in counselling and psychological services in Malawi.
- Liase with stakeholders such as counselling associations, government ministries, NGOs and parastatal organisations on the emerging needs and concerns of the communities.
MAC Vision
That Quality Ethical Professional Psychosocial Counseling Services are available for all people in need of psychosocial emotional healing, growth, and wellbeing.
MAC Mission
To promote the advancement of the professional counselling in Malawi and of the development of professional counsellors, ensuring the quality of psychosocial emotional counselling services for the people of Malawi
As a whole, the mission of the Malawi Association of Counselling is to enhance the quality of life in the society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the counselling profession, and using the profession and practice of counselling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity. It aims at promoting and foster credible vibrant, professionally recognized quality counselling training and ethical counselling services among practicing counsellors and institutions in Malawi for the psychosocial emotional wellbeing of the people of Malawi
Core Values
The MAC is an educational, scientific, and professional organization whose members work in a variety of settings and serve in multiple capacities. Counselling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
Professional values are an important way of living out an ethical commitment. The following are core professional values of the counseling profession:
- Enhancing human development throughout the life span;
- Honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts;
- Promoting social justice;
- Safeguarding the integrity of the counsellor–client relationship;
Professional counselling services (clinical, psychosocial, school) go beyond HIV and AIDs and address social, emotional, and mental issues that are common place in the society and interpersonal relations. These may include the social and emotional after-effects of HIV and AIDS for the patient, caregiver and the community, but also the issues of domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, trauma after accident, disaster, retrenchment, as well as issues of divorce, separation, and so on. It is also much needed for one’s personal growth and wellbeing, for dealing with anxiety and fear, managing stress and anger, and facing relationship and family issues.