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 an

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vocation, and personal counseling." Founders and Theories Depending on their area of focus, various theorists have contributed to the theoretical development of counseling psychology. On the whole, counseling psychologists, especially, during the early decades, adopted a developmental approach in addressing the needs of their clients. This developmental approach emphasizes the need to deal with the challenges of clients during their transitions from late adolescence into adulthood. Furthermore, counselors must also acknowledge the diversity and individuality of their clients in order to develop a complete understanding of their needs. Although many theorists in the field of psychology have provided their theories that are used in professional counseling, only a selected few that have shaped the development of counseling will be discussed here due to the limitations of space. The works of the following theorists are thus briefly considered: Parsons, Williamson, Rogers and Adler. In his 1909 work, Choosing a Vocation, Parsons explained that the selection of the appropriate career is based on self-understanding, the knowledge of the workforce and the relationships between the two aforementioned factors. During the initi
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Approximate Word count = 6751
Approximate Pages = 27 (250 words per page)