Recontextualizing Microcounseling Pedagogy in Indonesia: Operationalizing Ivey’s Microskills Pyramid through Asia as Method

Authors

  • Nanang Erma Gunawan Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta
  • Chici Pratiwi Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17977/um065.v6.i9.2026.10

Keywords:

Asia as method, Counselor education, Cultural–ethical pedagogy, Microcounseling practicum, Professional formation

Abstract

This paper envisions a repositioning of undergraduate microcounseling practicum in Indonesian counselor education, namely with the microskills pyramid, combined with Asia as Method as an epistemological and pedagogical orientation. Although microcounseling is a popular model of skills training, prevailing Western assumptions risk epistemic misalignment when implemented uncritically in non-Western settings. Utilizing relational, cultural, and spiritual features of Indonesian society, this article reconceptualizes microcounseling skills as ethical–cultural practices rather than neutral instruments. Taking a design-based pedagogical approach, the paper describes core principles and a modular practicum structure, with a focus on relationality, moral awareness, and existential–spiritual reflection as integral to skill development. This reconceptualization posits microcounseling as a formative site for professional identity development and helps to situate this within wider international discourses on decolonization and pluralizing counselor education pedagogy.

References

Bernard, J. M., & Goodyear, R. K. (2019). Fundamentals of clinical supervision (6th ed.). Pearson.

Borders, L. D., Brown, J. B., & Purgason, L. L. (2015). Triadic supervision with practicum and internship counseling students: A peer supervision approach. The Clinical Supervisor, 34(2), 232–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/07325223.2015.1027024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07325223.2015.1027024

Chen, K.-H. (2010). Asia as method: Toward deimperialization. Duke University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv11smwwj DOI: https://doi.org/10.1215/9780822391692

Chilisa, B. (2019). Indigenous research methodologies. SAGE Publications.

Cormier, S., & Hackney, H. (2015). Counseling strategies and interventions for professional helpers (9th ed.). Pearson.

Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s search for meaning. Beacon Press.

Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books.

Hall, E. T. (1976). Beyond culture. Anchor Books.

Hill, C. E. (2014). Helping skills: Facilitating exploration, insight, and action (4th ed.). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14345-000 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/14345-000

Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. B., & Zalaquett, C. P. (2023). Intentional interviewing and counseling: Facilitating client development in a multicultural society (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Jordan, J. V. (2018). Relational-cultural therapy (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000063-000 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0000063-000

Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224–253. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.98.2.224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-295X.98.2.224

Mulder, N. (1998). Mysticism in Java: Ideology in Indonesia. Kanisius.

Neimeyer, R. A. (2009). Constructivist psychotherapy: Distinctive features. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203882405 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203882405

Ratts, M. J., Singh, A. A., Nassar-McMillan, S., Butler, S. K., & McCullough, J. R. (2016). Multicultural and social justice counseling competencies: Guidelines for the counseling profession. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 44(1), 28–48. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12035 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12035

Ridley, C. R., Sahu, A., Console, K., Surya, S., Tran, V., Xie, S., & Yin, C. (2021). The process model of multicultural counseling competence. The Counseling Psychologist, 49(4), 534–567. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000021992339 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000021992339

Schön, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. Basic Books.

Skovholt, T. M., & Trotter-Mathison, M. (2014). The resilient practitioner: Burnout prevention and self-care strategies for counselors, therapists, teachers, and health professionals (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203893326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203893326

Smith, L. T. (2021). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and Indigenous peoples (2nd ed.). Zed Books.

Wong, P. T. (2013). Toward a dual-systems model of what makes life worth living. In The human quest for meaning (pp. 3–22). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203146286-10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203146286-10

Downloads

Published

11-06-2026

How to Cite

Gunawan, N. E., & Pratiwi, C. (2026). Recontextualizing Microcounseling Pedagogy in Indonesia: Operationalizing Ivey’s Microskills Pyramid through Asia as Method. Jurnal Pembelajaran, Bimbingan, Dan Pengelolaan Pendidikan, 6(9), 10. https://doi.org/10.17977/um065.v6.i9.2026.10

Issue

Section

Articles