I Principles of Counseling Intervention

Lesson I: History and Philosophy of Counseling

Counseling

A professional helping relationship that promotes well-being, functioning, adjustment, and development. Its three emphases are prevention, remediation, and development

Prevention

Building protective factors and reducing risk before significant problems occur

Remediation

Addressing current symptoms

Frank Parsons

A founder of vocational guidance who proposed matching individuals with work through three steps: understanding the individual, understanding occupational requirements. and matching the person with suitable work

Mental hygiene movement

A movement emphasizing mental-health education, prevention, early intervention, improved environments, screening, and community based care

Epistemology

The study of knowledge and how people determine what counts as truth or valid evidence

Empiricism

The view that knowledge primarily comes from observation, measurement, and research

Constructivism

The view that people create meaning through interpretation, language, culture, and relationships

Pragmatism

The view that an approach is valuable partly when it works in a particular context and fits client values

American Counseling Association (ACA)

A national professional association that supports counseling ethics, advocacy, education, professional development, and resources

Counseling of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education (CACREP)

An accrediting organization that evaluated counseling education programs and established training standards

National Board for Credited Counselors (NBCC)

A credentialing organization that provides national counselor certification and examinations

Psychodynamic

Unconscious processes, early relationships, defense mechanisms, insight, and recurring interpersonal patterns

Behavior therapy

Learned behavior, observable targets triggers, consequences, reinforcement, exposure, and behavioral practice

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Interactions among thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physiological responses

Person-centered therapy

Growth through empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence or genuineness

Existential therapy

Meaning, freedom, responsibility, morality, isolation, and intergenerational relationships

Family systems therapy

Interaction patterns, roles, boundaries, rules, triangles, and intergenerational relationships

Multicultural and social justice counseling

Culture, identity, power, privilege, oppression, systemic barriers, advocacy, and equitable access

Rogers three core conditions

Empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence