What Is Counseling Psychology?

1. What Is Counseling Psychology? A Brief Description of the Discipline and Comparison to Other Psychology Professions

2. In This Presentation, You Will … • Learn more about counseling psychology • Develop an understanding of the differences and similarities between counseling psychology and other psychology disciplines • Gain information to help you make informed decisions regarding your career path

3. Counseling Psychology Is One Specialty in Professional Psychology • According to the website of the Society of Counseling Psychology, “Counseling psychology as a psychological specialty facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns” (www.div17.org) • Counseling psychology is a broad and diverse discipline within mental health care • Can lead to many different careers

4. Psychology Is Very Broad • There are many different subfields of psychology: • Counseling Psychology, • Clinical Psychology, • Cognitive Psychology, • Developmental Psychology, • Experimental Psychology • Forensic Psychology, • Health Psychology, • Additionally, the type of degree earned can differ: • Ph.D., Ed.D., Psy.D., M.S., M.A. • Industrial/Organizational Psychology, • Neuropsychology, • School Psychology, • Social Psychology, • Sport Psychology, • the list goes on and on …

5. Scientist-Practitioner Model • Counseling psychologists are usually trained to be scientists as well as professional practitioners • Learn how to understand and conduct scientific research • Learn how to conduct therapy • Doctoral level degree is required to be a counseling psychologist in the United States (e.g., Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D. ) *Note. Models of training may soon be eliminated in favor of competencies. Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001

6. Becoming a Counseling Psychologist Typical Requirements to Become a Counseling Psychologist Typical Components of Doctoral Programs in Counseling Psychology • Graduate School • Full-time study in a doctoral program (Post Bachelor’s Degree or Post Master’s Degree) • Post-doctoral training • Not required in all states • Licensure • Must pass nationally-administered examination • Must meet state requirements, including state policies for psychologists • Course work • Practica • Comprehensive exams (i.e., doctoral qualifying exams) • Internship • Dissertation

7. What Do Counseling Psychologists Do? • The majority of counseling psychologists have described their primary role as either a clinical practitioner (working with clients) or an academician (faculty member at a college or university; Watkins et al., 1986). • However, many counseling psychologists participate in a wide range of activities (www.div17.org): • Psychotherapeutic and Counseling Practice • Teaching • Research • Career Development • Testing, Assessment, and Evaluation • Supervision • Consultation • Administrative Activities • Facilitate social justice, diversity, and multicultural agendas and initiatives

8. Where Do Counseling Psychologists Typically Work? Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001 (Based on the 1995 APA Directory Survey)

9. Counseling Psychology Trends • May be likely to work with clients who are closer to the “normal” range of functioning • This is not always the case, as many counseling psychologists work with clients with more “severe” psychopathology • Focus on strengths instead of a focus on psychopathology only • May focus on taking clients past normal functioning to an “optimal” level of functioning • Focus on early intervention and prevention efforts, setting counseling psychology apart from many other disciplines Sources: Gelso & Fretz, 2001, & Society of Counseling Psychology Website

10. Counseling Psychology Trends • Focus on career-related issues • Vocational choice and development are often studied • Often work with clients who have problems in the career realm • Place an emphasis on multicultural research, practice, and training • The role of culture in therapy and in society is explored • Place an emphasis on social justice issues Sources: Gelso & Fretz, 2001, & Society of Counseling Psychology Website

11. Counseling Psychology vs. Related Disciplines Clinical Psychology Community Psychology • There is much overlap between counseling and clinical psychology • More emphasis on psychopathology in clinical psychology • Focuses on person-environment interactions • Moves beyond the individual and examines community settings • Not likely to involve direct counseling / therapy Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001

12. Counseling Psychology vs. Related Disciplines • Psychiatry • Medical doctor • Prescribes medication • May conduct psychotherapy, but much less common • School Psychology • Primarily work with children in schools • Industrial/Organizational Psychology (I/O Psychology) • The study of behavior in work settings • Psychiatric Social Work • Conduct counseling (Master’s or Doctoral level) • Mental Health Counseling • Conduct counseling (Master’s or Doctoral level) • Marriage and Family Therapy • Conduct counseling (Master’s or Doctoral level) Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001

13. In Conclusion • Counseling psychology is a very broad degree that can lead to employment in many different settings. • Although this PowerPoint may be a good starting point, you will probably need to learn more in order to determine if earning a degree in counseling psychology is the best fit for you.

14. For More Information On Counseling Psychology • Student Affiliates of Seventeen (SAS) Website: • http://www.div17.org/SAS/index.html • Division of Counseling Psychology website • http://www.div17.org/ • Look for resources under the “Student” subheading. • List of APA Accredited Counseling Psychology Programs: • http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/programs/accred-counseling.aspx

15. References and Additional Resources: • Fitzgerald, L. F., & Osipow, S. H. (1986). An occupational analysis of counseling psychology: How special is the specialty? American Psychologist, 41, 535- 544. • Gelso, C., & Fretz, B. (2001). Counseling psychology (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. • Norcross, J. C., Sayette, M. A., Mayne, T. J., Karg, R. S., & Turkson, M. A. (1998). Selecting a doctoral program in professional psychology: Some comparisons among PhD counseling, PhD clinical, and PsyD clinical psychology programs. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 29, 609-614. • Norcross, J. C. (2000). Clinical psychology vs. counseling psychology: What’s the diff? Eye on Psi Chi, 5(1), 20-22. • Society of Counseling Psychology (2010). Society of counseling psychology, division 17. Retrieved from http://www.div17.org/ • Watkins, C. E. (1983). Counseling psychology versus clinical psychology: Further explorations on a theme or once more around the "identity“ maypole with gusto. The Counseling Psychologist, 11, 76-92. • Watkins, C. E., Lopez, F. G., Campbell, V. L., & Himmell, C. D. (1986). Counseling psychology and clinical psychology: Some preliminary comparative data. American Psychologist, 41,581- 582. • Watkins, C. E., Lopez, F. G., Campbell, V. L., & Himmel, C. D. (1986). Contemporary counseling psychology: Results of a national survey. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 33, 301-309.