Principle and Philosophy of Counseling

Introduction to Counseling

• Course Title: PT23103 - Principle and Philosophy of Counseling

• Instructor: Laila Wati Madlan

Learning Objectives

• Students will:

  • Understand the development of counseling in the United States.

  • Understand the development of counseling in Malaysia.

  • Be aware of the Board of Counselors as a professional body in the field of counseling.

  • Recognize the existence of the Counsellors Act, 580 Act.

History of Counseling in America

Overview of Early Counseling (Late 1890s - Early 1900s)

• Counseling emerged as a response to the:

  • Industrial Revolution

  • Social welfare reform (social justice)

  • Spread of public education

• Most pioneers identified themselves as:

  • Teachers

  • Social reformers/advocates

• Focus was on:

  • Teaching children and young adults about themselves, others, and the world of work.

  • Involvement in child welfare, educational/vocational guidance, and legal reform.

Key Events in Counseling Development (1900-1909)

• Prominent figures:

  • Frank Parsons:

  • Regarded as "The father of guidance."

  • Founded Boston’s Vocational Bureau (1908) for vocational guidance institutionalization.

  • Authored "Choosing a Vocation" (1909), addressing vocational choices.

  • Jesse B. Davis:

  • Established the first guidance program in public schools in 1907.

  • Advocated for weekly lessons in guidance to build character and prevent problems.

  • Clifford Beers:

  • Hospitalized for mental illness; authored "A Mind That Found Itself" (1908).

  • Spurred the mental health movement in the US.

Impacting Events in Counseling (1910s)

• Significant occurrences influencing counseling were:

  • National Vocational Guidance Association (NVGA) founded in 1913, precursor to the American Counseling Association (ACA).

  • Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 funded vocational education in schools.

  • World War I (1914-1918):

  • Counseling became recognized as military began employing testing and placement methods, using:

    • Psychological assessments

    • Army Alpha and Beta Intelligence tests for recruitment.

Evolution of Counseling (1920s)

• 1920s were quiet but consolidative:

  • Counselor education course (vocational guidance) at Harvard University.

  • Certification of counselors in Boston and New York.

  • Publication of Strong Vocational Interest Inventory (SVII) by Edward Strong (1927).

  • First marriage and family counseling center established by Abraham and Hannah Stone in New York City (1929).

Key Figures in Counseling (1930s)

• Great Depression prompted focus on employment issues, leading to the development of counseling theories:

  • E.G. Williamson and collaborators advanced the Minnesota point of view and trait-factor approach emphasizing a direct counselor-centered method.

  • John Brewer published "Education as Guidance" (1932) advocating for teachers to adopt counseling roles.

  • George Dean Act of 1938 formalized vocational education within U.S. Office of Education.

Milestones in Counseling (1940s)

• Influential events:

  • Carl Rogers introduced a client-centered, non-directive approach with his publication "Counseling and Psychotherapy" (1942).

  • The impact of World War II challenged traditional occupational roles, requiring the selection and training of specialists.

  • The George-Barden Act of 1946 provided financial support for counselor training institutes.

Development of Counseling (1950s)

• Five major incidences:

  • Formation of the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA) in 1952.

  • Establishment of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) in 1953.

  • Creation of Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) within the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1952, marking a distinction from clinical psychology.

  • The National Defense Education Act (NDEA, 1958) provided funding for counselor training.

  • Diversification of counseling theories ranging from psychoanalysis and trait-factor approaches to applied behavioral theories and cognitive approaches like REBT.

The Shifting Landscape of Counseling (1960s)

• Gilbert Wrenn published "The Counselor in a Changing World" (1962), stressing developmental needs.

• The Vietnam War, civil rights movement, and women's liberation focused on societal needs.

• Growth of humanistic counseling theories with figures like Abraham Maslow.

• Emergence of behavioral counseling approaches, such as the work of John Krumboltz.

• Formation of Community Mental Health Centers Act in 1963 responding to issues of drug abuse and marriage.

• Establishment of a code of ethics for counselors and the launch of counseling-focused journals.

Counseling Expansion (1970s)

• Diversification of counseling roles increased, leading to community counseling in mental health, hospices, EAP, substance abuse, etc.

• Establishment of helping skills programs focused on core counseling abilities.

• State licensure for counselors was introduced.

• Creation of standards for master's degrees in counseling by the Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors (ACES) in 1973.

Standardization of Counseling Practices (1980s)

• The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) was formed in 1981 for standardized testing across eight essential subjects for counseling.

• In 1984, APGA rebranded as the American Association for Counseling and Development (AACD).

• Increased diversification of counseling specialties: violence, giftedness, aging, and moral development.

Modern Trends in Counseling (1990s)

• In 1992, the AACD transitioned to the American Counseling Association (ACA).

• Multicultural counseling competences and standards were published in 1992 by Sue, Arredondo, and McDavis.

Current Trends in Counseling (21st Century)

• Focus on accreditation of counseling programs and strengthening of counselors' credentials.

• Introduction of CACREP and the prominence of addressing issues like violence, trauma, and crises in counseling practice.

• Managed care challenges with 3rd parties require counselors to adapt.

• Advocacy for wellness defined as a lifestyle oriented towards optimal health and well-being, integrating body, mind, and spirit (Myers, Sweeney, & Witner, 2000).

• Emphasis on social justice and advocacy by counselors, encouraging clients to confront environmental limitations and challenge oppressive systems.

• Increased use of technology in counseling practices, including cyber counseling and ethical/legal considerations (confidentiality, rapport building, etc.).

• Concerns about identity and specialization in different counseling fields.

Evolution and Legislative Context of Counseling in Malaysia

• The guidance and counseling movement in Malaysia has roots in the United States. (Lloyd, 1987)

• Early Development (1939-1964):

  • Informal practices observed since British colonial days.

  • 1963 Ministry of Education emphasized school guidance in education policies (Amir & Latiff, 1984).

  • Circulars mandated guidance components in schools with designated guidance teachers.

  • School counselors function as vocational guidance facilitators and career coaches.

Growth of the Counseling Profession (1967-1980s)

• 1967: Pre-service teacher training in guidance and counseling was introduced.

• 1968: Seminars for teacher-counselors initiated, with University of Malaya starting elective courses.

• By the 1970s, recognition of the importance of counseling led to the establishment of more dedicated training and counseling services in universities.

• Milestones included the formation of the Malaysian Counseling Association (PERKAMA) in 1982, reflecting the professional development of counseling in Malaysia.

Professional and Ethical Framework in Malaysia

• The Counsellors Act 1998 (Act 580) was enacted to provide counselors with a legal identity and regulate the profession.

• Board of Counselors Malaysia's vision aims to enhance community potential and its mission entails regulating counseling services, advising the government, and maintaining professional records.

• The act outlines various functions, including supervision of counseling services, training regulation, qualification assessment, and ethical conduct standards.

Conclusion

• The sacred role of counselors:

  • "For each patient you see, you may be the only person in their life capable of both hearing and holding their pain. If that isn't sacred, I don't know what is."

Acknowledgment

• Thank you for engaging with the material.