<![CDATA[This community service program aimed to enhance the understanding of Guidance and Counseling (GC) teachers and students regarding the roles and functions of guidance and counseling services at SMP Swasta IT YPIT Lubuk Cemara, Perbaungan District. The program was initiated in response to the widespread misconception that guidance and counseling services are intended solely for students with disciplinary or behavioral problems, causing many students to hesitate to seek counseling voluntarily for personal development. The program employed a descriptive qualitative approach consisting of preparation, socialization, educational sessions, discussions, and question-and-answer activities involving GC teachers and eighth-grade students. Program evaluation was conducted through participant observation and in-depth interviews, with data analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive analysis model, including data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that GC teachers possessed an adequate conceptual understanding of guidance and counseling services; however, their implementation remained constrained by limited time, facilities, and institutional policy support. Furthermore, students demonstrated improved understanding after participating in the program, as reflected in the reduced negative perceptions of counseling services and greater awareness of their preventive, developmental, and supportive functions. Therefore, continuous socialization is recommended to optimize the utilization of guidance and counseling services among all members of the school community.]]>
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