The Past, Present, and Future of Counseling
School of Counseling and Human Services, Walden University COUN
6100: Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling Professor
13:56:07 GMT -05:00
, The Past, Present, and Future of Counseling
Mental Health Counseling is a field in which change, adaptation and continuous research
has been, and will always be necessary. The counseling profession has grown through various
historical contributions, and this specialized professional role is constantly being impacted with
new and improving information and technology. In this paper, we will discuss how counseling
differs from other helping fields. We will also explore some important contributions of one
specific historical figure, by the name of E.G Williamson, and discuss how he might react to the
new direction that the counseling profession has taken.
Present
In order to truly understand the differences between counseling and other helping fields,
such as psychology and social work, it is important to note the philosophical underpinnings of
counseling. What really separates counseling from any other field lays in the values and beliefs
reflected in the education and training that a counselor receives, which “emphasize wellness,
normal human development, empowerment, and prevention” (Erford, B. T., & Bardhoshi, G.,
2018, p.24). Most helping professions adhere to similar high ethical standards, certification
standards and licensure procedures, but “counseling is empirically driven and based on
theoretically sound underpinnings and interventions” (Erford, B. T., & Bardhoshi, G., 2018,
p.22). The main focus of counseling is to collaborate with clients to help them strive for
enhanced health and performance, even before they experience any notable difficulties in life.
This proactive, preventative, and collaborative approach to the self-betterment of clients also
requires counselors to meet a client where they are at by understanding the developmental phases
of life. These focuses are what help differentiate counseling from other fields, and what make the
profession of counseling what it is today.
13:56:07 GMT -05:00
School of Counseling and Human Services, Walden University COUN
6100: Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling Professor
13:56:07 GMT -05:00
, The Past, Present, and Future of Counseling
Mental Health Counseling is a field in which change, adaptation and continuous research
has been, and will always be necessary. The counseling profession has grown through various
historical contributions, and this specialized professional role is constantly being impacted with
new and improving information and technology. In this paper, we will discuss how counseling
differs from other helping fields. We will also explore some important contributions of one
specific historical figure, by the name of E.G Williamson, and discuss how he might react to the
new direction that the counseling profession has taken.
Present
In order to truly understand the differences between counseling and other helping fields,
such as psychology and social work, it is important to note the philosophical underpinnings of
counseling. What really separates counseling from any other field lays in the values and beliefs
reflected in the education and training that a counselor receives, which “emphasize wellness,
normal human development, empowerment, and prevention” (Erford, B. T., & Bardhoshi, G.,
2018, p.24). Most helping professions adhere to similar high ethical standards, certification
standards and licensure procedures, but “counseling is empirically driven and based on
theoretically sound underpinnings and interventions” (Erford, B. T., & Bardhoshi, G., 2018,
p.22). The main focus of counseling is to collaborate with clients to help them strive for
enhanced health and performance, even before they experience any notable difficulties in life.
This proactive, preventative, and collaborative approach to the self-betterment of clients also
requires counselors to meet a client where they are at by understanding the developmental phases
of life. These focuses are what help differentiate counseling from other fields, and what make the
profession of counseling what it is today.
13:56:07 GMT -05:00
