Counseling Psychology An Introduction Welcome to Psych 540

Archival Description of Counseling Psychology APA (TCP, 1999) Within the focus of lifespan development, we focus on: Healthy aspects and strengths of the client (individual, couple, family, group, system, organization), environmental/situational influences (context of culture, gender, and lifestyle issues), and the role of career and vocation on individual development and functioning. We help people with: Physical, emotional, and mental disorders improve well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, and resolve crises Intervene in emotions, behaviors, cognitions Interventions may be preventative, skill-enhancing, or remedial; short-term or longer-term Base our core knowledge on general psychology; doctoral or postdoctoral training required

Three Central Roles Remedial Preventative Educative-Developmental Most activities of counseling psychologists combine all three.

UNIFYING THEMES of Counseling Psychology Focus on intact personalities Focus on people’s strengths, assets, and positive mental health Relatively brief interventions Emphasis on person-environment interactions Emphasis on educational & career development

Intact Personalities Focus on Strengths Closer to continuum of higher functioning-neurotic than psychotic. However, increase in working with clients with more severe mental illness. Focus on Strengths Emphasis on HYGIOLOGY rather than PSYCHOPATHOLOGY Regardless of degree of disturbance Emphasis on optimism, assets, positive mental health, coping mechanisms, and belief in positive change.

Person-Environment Interactions Brief Interventions 12 – 15 sessions is considered brief Counseling and psychotherapy exist on a continuum: Counseling end: Educative, addresses situational problems, problem-solving at a conscious level. Psychotherapy end: Personality reconstruction, subconscious processes Person-Environment Interactions Considers the role of context on people’s lives. Important in considering multicultural and diversity issues with clients.

Educational and Career Development For some, this is the heart of counseling psychology, and one of its foundations. Training in career counseling and vocational psychology is part of graduate programs in counseling psychology.

Counseling Psychology Identity Has been “plagued or blessed” by reoccurring identity crises (Richardson & Patton, 1992): Considered plagued by those who wish the field had a more fixed or immutable identity Considered blessed by those that are appreciative of the enormous changes that have occurred in the history of counseling psychology. Roles and themes of Counseling Psychology are central tendencies, but there is great variability.

Training in Counseling Psychology 5-6 years graduate study (Master’s & Ph.D.) Full-time, one-year internship in practice Doctoral dissertation Programs located in Colleges of Education and Departments of Psychology Scientist-practitioner model of training Best to seek APA-accredited programs

Why APA-Accredited Programs? Easier to become licensed as a psychologist. Increase range of eligible employment opportunities. Determines membership in some professional organizations. May determine if clients’ insurance company will reimburse for services.

Site: http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/ccptp/ Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs Survey (CCPTP; 2002): Site: http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/ccptp/ Internship Placements for 2001-2002: College Counseling Centers 54% Veteran’s Administration Medical Centers (VAMC) 13% General Hospitals 11% Community Mental Health Centers 10%

Employment Settings of Recent Graduates Educational Settings: University Counseling Centers 29% University Psychology Dept. 11% University Education Dept. 4% Medical School 4% University Administration 2%

Human Service Settings: Group Medical/Psychiatric Practice 9% VAMC 6% Psychiatric Hospital 5% Private Practice 3% General Hospital 3% Other Settings: Military 3% Private Research Organization 2% Consulting Firm 1% Criminal Justice 1%

Changes in Employment Patterns Steady decline in percentage of CP’s in VA medical centers, which had historically been a major employer. Increase in CP’s in independent practice Greater percentage in variety of counseling internventions Substantial increase of CP’s calling their work “psychotherapy.” Centrality of vocational/career counseling has come into question. Research is as strong as ever.

Distinctiveness and Overlap Applied Psychology: Counseling, Clinical, Industrial/Organizational, School, & Community Each seeks to “apply” principles of psychology to human behavior. Rely on similar training and education Use similar assessments and interventions Have distinctive emphases or foci

Industrial/ Organizational Counseling Psychology Community School Clinical

Areas of Overlap with Counseling Psychology Clinical: Counseling and therapy Community: Person-environment interactions School: Occurs if counseling psychologists work in school settings I/O: Area of career and vocational development.

Other Related Fields Outside of Psychology All can conduct counseling or therapy Psychiatric Social Workers MSW: 2 year Master’s degree Psychiatrists MD’s; medical school, prescribe medication Counseling Professionals 2 year Master’s degree to become licensed Very similar in values to counseling psychology

Resources for More Career Information about Counseling Psychology Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) of APA: http://www.div17.org/ Student Affiliate Group (SAG) of Div. 17 http://www3.uakron.edu/sagweb/ Accredited Programs in Counseling Psychology: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/doctoral.html The Counseling Psychologist journal: http://www.div17.org/tcp/