The Past, Present, and Future of
Counseling
School of Counseling and Human Services, Walden University
COUN-6100: Introduction to Clinical Mental Health
14:50:10 GMT -05:00
, The Past, Present, and Future of
Counseling
Clinical mental health counselors evaluate patients and address cognitive or behavioral
challenges that can hinder happiness and life satisfaction (Erford & Bardhoshi, 2018). Through
various therapeutic approaches, counselors assist patients in coping and redirecting mental
health obstacles to create a positive mindset. It is essential to recognize the differences between
the counseling profession and other psychology professions to appreciate and understand the
work involved as a counselor. Specific differences include therapeutic approaches to mental
health and philosophical beliefs. Mental health counselors provide treatment and guidance to
promote wellness and an enhanced quality of life. This essay will delve into mental health
counseling, Carl Rogers and his contribution to the profession, and the use of technology for
future applications in counseling.
Present
According to the American Psychological Association, counseling is defined as
“professional assistance in coping with personal problems” (2020) such as behavioral and
emotional challenges. Counseling differs from other mental health professions because it
focuses on guiding the patient through various forms of talk therapy, focusing on the individual
and their wellness rather than their perceived sickness (Erford & Bardhoshi, 2018). The focus of
counseling is to improve the patient’s quality of life, guiding with a short-term expiration,
meaning that the patient collaborates with the counselor, receiving the tools needed to take
control, gain independence and develop a sense of personal empowerment over their daily lives.
The philosophical underpinnings of counseling can be broken down into three perspectives
(Erford
& Bardhoshi, 2018). Mental healthcare counselors approach talk therapy through a proactive,
wellness perspective, differentiating from other mental healthcare professions by focusing on
the
Counseling
School of Counseling and Human Services, Walden University
COUN-6100: Introduction to Clinical Mental Health
14:50:10 GMT -05:00
, The Past, Present, and Future of
Counseling
Clinical mental health counselors evaluate patients and address cognitive or behavioral
challenges that can hinder happiness and life satisfaction (Erford & Bardhoshi, 2018). Through
various therapeutic approaches, counselors assist patients in coping and redirecting mental
health obstacles to create a positive mindset. It is essential to recognize the differences between
the counseling profession and other psychology professions to appreciate and understand the
work involved as a counselor. Specific differences include therapeutic approaches to mental
health and philosophical beliefs. Mental health counselors provide treatment and guidance to
promote wellness and an enhanced quality of life. This essay will delve into mental health
counseling, Carl Rogers and his contribution to the profession, and the use of technology for
future applications in counseling.
Present
According to the American Psychological Association, counseling is defined as
“professional assistance in coping with personal problems” (2020) such as behavioral and
emotional challenges. Counseling differs from other mental health professions because it
focuses on guiding the patient through various forms of talk therapy, focusing on the individual
and their wellness rather than their perceived sickness (Erford & Bardhoshi, 2018). The focus of
counseling is to improve the patient’s quality of life, guiding with a short-term expiration,
meaning that the patient collaborates with the counselor, receiving the tools needed to take
control, gain independence and develop a sense of personal empowerment over their daily lives.
The philosophical underpinnings of counseling can be broken down into three perspectives
(Erford
& Bardhoshi, 2018). Mental healthcare counselors approach talk therapy through a proactive,
wellness perspective, differentiating from other mental healthcare professions by focusing on
the
