Section 3Sec./Art. 3

Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Counseling refers to a dynamic face-to-face or online interaction between the counselor and the counselee, where the counselor employs various methods, approaches, or techniques to enhance the counselee's intrapersonal and interpersonal development and competencies.

(b) Mental health, as defined under Republic Act No. 11036, or the "Mental Health Act", refers to a state of well-being in which the individual realizes one's own abilities and potentials, copes adequately with the normal stresses of life, events, works productivity and fruitfully, and is able to make a positive contribution to the community.

(c) Registered Guidance Counselor refers to an individual who possesses a license or certification granted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and holds at least a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling, without prejudice to those registered under the grandfather clause of Republic Act No. 9258, or the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004", and is competent to perform guidance and counseling and career guidance, and implement mental health programs.

(d) Registered Psychologist refers to an individual who possesses a license and holds a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional identification card as a Professional Psychologist, issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology and the PRC, and with at least a Master's Degree in Psychology.

(e) Schools Division Counselor refers to the plantilla position in the DepEd which shall be filled up by a Registered Guidance Counselor or a Registered Psychologist charged with heading the Mental Health and Well-Being Office in the SDO and ensuring the performance of its functions under Section 5 of this Act.

(f) School Counselor refers to the plantilla position in the DepEd which shall be filled up by a Registered Guidance Counselor or a Registered Psychologist charged with heading the school Care Center and ensuring the performance of its functions under Section 8 of this Act.

(g) School Counselor Associate refers to the plantilla position in the DepEd which shall be filled up by a graduate of (1) a Bachelor's Degree in Guidance and Counseling or Psychology; (2) any Bachelor's Degree with at least eighteen (18) units of courses in Guidance and Counseling or Psychology; or (3) any related Bachelor's Degree and who must have earned a minimum of eighteen (18) units of Behavioral Science courses that shall include two hundred (200) hours of supervised practicum or internship experience on guidance and counseling, preferably in a school or community setting.