Counseling Profession: Characteristics and Standards

History of Counseling

• 1908: Clifford Beers wrote "A Mind That Found Itself" about the poor conditions in mental institutions.
• 1910s: National Vocational Guidance Association (NVGA) founded in 1913, which later became the American Counseling Association (ACA).
• 1917: Smith-Hughes Act provided funding for schools to support vocational education.
• World War I: Employed psychological assessments and intelligence tests for recruitment.

1920s

• Counselor education courses emphasized vocational guidance.
• Certification of counselors in Boston and New York.
• Strong Vocational Interest Inventory published in 1927.
• The first marriage and family counseling center established by Abraham and Hannah Stone in New York City in 1929.

1930s

• The Great Depression influenced researchers and practitioners.
• E.G.Williamson developed the Minnesota point of view and trait-factor approach.
• John Brewer published "Education as Guidance" in 1932, contributing to the broadening of counseling beyond occupational concerns.
• George Dean Act of 1938 created the Vocational Education Division of the U.S. Office of Education and an Occupational Information and Guidance Service.

1940s

• Carl Rogers emphasized a client-centered, non-directive approach to counseling.
• Published "Counseling and Psychotherapy" in 1942.
• World War II brought a new way of looking at vocations for men and women.
• George-Barden Act of 1946 provided funds for counselor training institutes.

1950s

• The American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA) was established in 1952.
• The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) was chartered in 1953.
• The establishment of Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) within the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1952.
• National Defense Education Act (NDEA) in 1958.

1960s

• Gilbert Wrenn wrote "The Counselor in a Changing World" (1962) with an emphasis on resolving developmental needs.
• The Vietnam War, civil rights movement, and women's movement identified society's needs.
• A rise in humanistic counseling theories.
• Behavioral Counseling grew in importance as a result of John Krumboltz's "Revolution in Counseling" (1966).
• Community Mental Health Centers Act, 1963.

1970s

• Diversification in counseling settings.
• Title IX of the Education Amendments, affirmative action laws, and antidiscrimination legislation advocated for services for females, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
• Helping skills programs developed and rose in popularity.
• APGA moved towards state and national licensure for counselors.
• APGA grew in strength and the Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors (ACES) outlined the standards for a master's degree in counseling in 1973.

1980s

• Standardization of training and certification – the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs was formed in 1981.
• National Board for Certified Counselors formed in 1982.

1984

• APGA became the American Association for Counseling and Development (AACD).

1985

• Chi Sigma Iota was formed.

1986

• The American Association of State Counseling Boards was established by Ted Remley.

1990s

• In 1992, the AACD became the American Counseling Association (ACA).
• The Center for Mental Health Services and the National Institute of Mental Health included counseling in the health care human resource statistics for the first time in 1992.
• Sue, Arredondo, and McDavis (1992) wrote the multicultural counseling competences and standards for counselors.

Current Trends

• Work with violence, trauma, and crises.
• The challenge of managed care.
• Promoting wellness.
• Concern for social justice and advocacy.
• Greater emphasis on technology.
• Leadership – 20/20 Future of Counseling initiative.
• Identity – 19 divisions of ACA.

Definition of Counseling

• According to the 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling group, counseling is defined as a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.

Characteristics of a Profession

• According to Myers & Sweeney (2001), a profession is distinguished by having a specific body of knowledge, accredited training programs, a professional organization of peers, credentialing of practitioners such as licensure, a code of ethics, legal recognition, and other standards of excellence.