History of the Counseling Profession G502, Orientation and Ethics in Professional Counseling

In the Beginning... w Frank Parsons “Father of Counseling” w Turn of century vocational Educator w Founded education to work center, Boston, 1906 w Published “Choosing a Vocation” in 1908

Parson’s Vision of Counseling w Vocational choice was a developmental process w Three components of vocational choice Knowledge of work world Educational attainment Fit between work and personal values, personal attributes, aspirations, and interests

Early Counseling Activities w Field was primarily a vocational development profession w Linked workers from rural areas with new manufacturing jobs in the cities w Emphasized linking education with work

Evolution f School Counseling w Vocational theories of the 1930s and 1940s Charles Axlerod Anne Roe Donald Super

Evolution of School Counseling w Writings of Carl Rogers (Humanism) w Writings of C. Gilbert Wrenn, 1950s w National Defense Education Act 1950s Called for professionals to promote training in the sciences -- response to Sputnik launch Provided funding for training school counselors

Evolution of School Counseling w Early counselors were former “deans” w Early guidance departments were former “dean’s offices” w Main activities were academic and career development, not personal counseling or development w Counselors’ often maintained disciplinary roles

Evolution of School Counseling w Elementary counselor training funded under NDEA initiative of 1964 w Middle/junior high school counselors emerged in mid-1970s w Alternative school counselors emerged in 1980s w Voc counseling specialists prepared under successive Carl Perkins grants in 80s and 90s

Evolution of School Counseling w Counselors took on personal/mental health counseling activities in late 70s and 80s w Emphasis on mental health and personal development in schools has increased in importance during the past 10 years

Evolution of Agency and Mental Health Counseling w Carl Rogers, “Client Centered Counseling” provided early mental health framework w Counselors as mental health providers emerged in middle 1970s w VA first licensed MHCs in 1975 w By 1989, 22 states credentialed MHCS w By 1998, 45 states credentialed MHCs w By 2003, 48 states credentialed MHCs

Allied Human Service Fields w Social work/clinical social work w Counseling, clinical, school psychology w Marriage and family therapy w Psychiatry w Psychiatric nursing w Ministry w Occupational therapy

Professional Organizations w American Counseling Association 52,000 + members 13 national divisions and partner organizations Journal of Counseling and Development National convention and regional workshops Various training publications

Professional Organizations and Credentialing

Professional Organizations w American School Counseling Association w w American Mental Health Counseling Association w w Indiana Counseling Association

Licensure and Certification w School counselors licensed by IN Dept Education w MHCs licensed by Indiana Health Professions Bureau w All counselors encouraged to be certified as NCCs by the National Board for Certified Counselors (

Qualities of the Counselor G502

Three Dimensions of a Counselor w Louver & Harvey (1997) Who the counselor is What they counselor knows What the counselor can do

Who the Counselor is: Personal Qualities (Combs, 1986) w Belief in the client’s meanings w Belief in the client’s capacity for change w Sensitivity and empathy w Belief in oneself and one’s abilities w Belief in one’s methods w Belief in the greater good

Other Qualities of Good Counselors w Energetic (Cormier & Cormier, 1985) w Risk taker (Wrenn, 1983) w Tolerance of ambiguity Pietrofesa, 1978) w Capacity for intimacy (Cormier & Cormier, 1985) w Strong interpersonal boundaries (Corey, 1996; Okun, 1997)

Patterson’s Description of a Good Counselor (1985) w Accurate perception of reality w Acceptance, self and others w Spontaneous w Problem centered w Can separate and seek privacy w Autonomy w Sense of wonder w Social interest w Democratic character w Ethical w Sense of humor w Creative w Flexible w Gracious w Good social skills and poise

What the Counselor Knows w Theories/models/research on personality w Theories/models/research on human development w Theories/research on psychopathology w Assessment techniques w Intervention strategies

What the Counselor Can Do w Assessment w Conceptualization of problems w Systematic intervention-- individual, group, family w Evaluation w Consultation w Supervision w Research

What the Counselor Can Do w Teaching w Administration of counseling services w Advocacy -- client, community, professional

Discussion Questions w 1. Why do you want to become a counselor? What motivates you to choose this profession? w 2. What are your strengths and “areas for growth” as a future counselor? w 3. Describe your vision of your professional life in 10 years? What would you like to be doing? What would you like your overall lifestyle to be?