The History and Evolution of Counseling Psychology
The purpose of the paper is to provide a concise exploration of the inception and development of counseling psychology from various perspectives. Most significantly, this discussion will highlight the unique characteristics of counseling psychology, which distinguish it from clinical psychology--another specialty in the field of psychology. Because the two specialties share the same theoretical knowledge and practices, counseling psychology has often been subsumed under the field of clinical psychology. By catering to a population that displays disturbing pathological symptoms, clinical psychologists have often captured the attention of the public.
However, these two specialties differ in their client populations and their application of their knowledge and skills. For example, clinical psychologists primarily address the needs of mentally ill clients with psychological disorders. In contrast, counseling psychologists often work with typical clients with the purpose of enhancing the latter's personal and interpersonal skills. Essentially, they help these clients cope with temporary crises and resolve problems, which occur within the normal developmental lifespan, so that they are better able to overcome these problems in the future. What further differentiates counseling psychology from clinical psychology is its recognition of the interaction between the individual and the context. Thus, instead of focusing solely on the deficits of the clients, counseling psychologists also take into account society's role in causing or contributing to the individual's dysfunctions.
Based on this brief overview, it is evident that counseling psychology is a distinctive specialty that can be differentiated from its more well-known counterpart. As a student who is completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Counseling, this author is highly interested in pursuing an increased ...