ATENEO OFFICE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING - HIGHER EDUCATION
VISION
In the spirit of cura personalis, the Office of Guidance and Counseling seeks to be a center of best practices in guidance and psychological services. Guided by Ignatian values, we envision an individual moving towards wholeness, possessing a healthy self-concept, resilience, cultural competence, independence, and compassion. Furthermore, as part of a larger community, we work as partners and collaborators with other stakeholders in promoting the well-being of individuals.
MISSION
Through our various formation programs, we assist persons in moving towards wholeness as we accompany them through teaching life skills and psychoeducation. Further, we help persons with their specific psychosocial concerns by employing multi-modal approaches. We do this by providing them with a safe and caring environment, and through communicating and coordinating with our various partners, creating synergy with them to forge a community living out Ignatian values.
Office of Guidance and Counseling Services
Guidance & Counseling by Appointment- Students may schedule one-on-one counseling sessions with their assigned counselor for personal and academic concerns, and provide them with professional support.
Neurodiverse Narratives- a neuro-affirming safe space that celebrates neurodiversity, deepens understanding, and builds community among neurodivergent students and allies in the school community in partnership with the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila: Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.
- Paws & Recharge (P&R) - a light, animal-assisted wellness activity that offers students a chance to destress and recharge through casual interactions with our friendly human-animal teams (HATs).
- Blue Snooze - a restful space managed by the OGC where students can book 30-minute nap sessions daily to support mental wellness.
- Coffeesations with Your Counselors Podcast - a casual and heartful monthly podcast hosted by the OGC team, where we talk about mental health, student life, and personal growth—one cup at a time.
- SpeedFriending - a structured social event designed to help students expand their social circles, practice conversation skills, and build meaningful connections in a welcoming and low-pressure environment.
- Creative & Expressive Avenues in Ateneo (CrEAte) - a semestral expressive arts program of the OGC offered to the students of Ateneo who wish to express themselves in various modalities (arts, music, sandplay, journaling, and others).
- Wellness Fest - an annual multi-day event led by OGC in celebration of mental health and well-being, featuring booths, activities, and collaborative events with student orgs.
- Seminars & Workshops - facilitation of interactive seminars and skills-based workshops that empower students, faculty, and other beneficiaries to better understand themselves, mental health topics, and support one another.
- Annual Guidance Testing - OGC guidance testing provides students with insights into their personality, resilience, protective factors, and emotional lability.
- Sopas to Pass - an initiative to provide students with sopas meals to promote well-being and support by offering them warm meals, particularly during periods of increased need.
- Benchmarking Activities - an activity conducted to share the office’s best practices with requesting institutions through information exchange, policy development, and looking into internal processes and program implementation.
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OGC.HEd
Annual & Major Events: Wellness Fest
3 to 6 March 2026, for the Academic Year 2025-2026
*Wellness Fest dates are subject to change each year.