Counseling psychology in the United States of America

An analysis of KwaZulu-Natal clinical psychologists’ multicultural experience

In this article, perspectives of South African clinical psychologists (based in KwaZulu-Natal) regarding multicultural issues in clinical practice and training are presented. The discussion focuses on emergent themes from 13 qualitative semi-structured interviews. Themes from interviews were analysed using thematic analysis and techniques from a grounded theory approach. While the study focused on a number of contextual multicultural issues both in service delivery and in training, this article documents the experiences of clinical psychologists regarding multicultural challenges and concerns, as well as approaches and capacities used to improve service delivery in this area. These perspectives are important in the multicultural and multilingual South African context, where there is limited literature in this area as well as related aspects such as cultural competency. There are many different belief systems as well as historical and sociopolitical factors that may influence how clinicians and individuals presenting for treatment may understand their experience and symptoms. This article seeks to document some of the challenges this may present in terms of service delivery in this context. Understandings of the term cultural competence as well as suggestions (primarily as noted by participants) to address the gap between training, competencies, and the realities of service delivery are also presented. Questions and considerations for future research are also raised.

Portrait of Counseling Psychology: Demographics, Roles, Activities, and Values Across Three Decades

We summarize the results of a national survey ( N = 799) conducted to provide a current snapshot of counseling psychologists, what they do, how and where they do it, and the extent to which they ascribe to specific counseling psychology values. We describe our sample and compare Society of Counseling Psychology (SCP) members to non-SCP counseling psychologists belonging to the American Psychological Association. Of those within the SCP, we compare early career professionals (ECPs) with mid to senior-level professionals. Finally, we compare findings from our survey with those from two previous surveys. Our findings highlight the diversity in the roles, activities, workplaces, and perspectives of contemporary counseling psychologists; differences between counseling psychologists who are SCP members and nonmembers, and between ECPs and more senior professionals; and changes in the profession’s character over time. Considerations for the SCP are discussed.

The development of counselling psychology in Ireland

This paper discusses the distinctive nature of the specialism of counselling psychology and outlines the development of the discipline in Ireland in the context of international developments and its recognition as a professional branch of applied psychology. Today, counselling psychologists are employed in varied clinical and non-clinical settings including health and mental health services (statutory, private and voluntary sector) along with education, forensic, justice, industry and private practices. Counselling psychologist is the primary professional identity of many practising psychologists in Ireland and the Psychological Society of Ireland's Division of Counselling Psychology is the main affiliation of at least 179 members. With its focus on facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span and its emphasis on the therapeutic process, the specialism continues to bridge the disciplines of psychology, counselling and psychotherapy. In this article, some of the challenges still faced by counselling psychology are explored as it navigates its way through the changing landscape of further development and evolution.

South African counselling psychology at the crossroads: lessons to be learned from around the world

Despite a four-decade history, the professional identity of counselling psychology in South Africa remains nebulous. Recent debates surrounding the revised scope of practice for counselling psychology bring the unresolved issue of professional identity back into focus. Rather than developing an idiosyncratic definition of counselling psychology, it is instructive to look at the ways in which the profession is conceptualised internationally. This article analyses the national definitions of counselling psychology in countries in North America, Europe, Australasia, and Asia, where the profession is both formally recognised and established. A thematic analysis reveals two superordinate themes: the different domains of practice that are considered to fall within the ambit of counselling psychology and the values of counselling psychology that are meant to inform this practice. Common domains of practice are development, prevention, and remediation. Prominent values of counselling psychology emphasise strengths, well-being, and the therapeutic relationship, recognise sociocultural and developmental contexts, value diversity and multiculturalism, and promote social justice. While there is an inevitable overlap with other specialities within psychology, counselling psychology is best distinguished not by the clients that are seen but rather by the values that inform practice. Implications for the practice of counselling psychology and mental health service delivery in South Africa are briefly discussed.

Bereavement and College Students: The Role of Counseling Psychology

In this review article, the authors integrate the theoretical, empirical, and clinical literature relevant to the phenomenon of college student bereavement. They synthesize information on two theories of mourning that appear to fit well with the experience of bereaved college students with information about the developmental, cohort, and contextual situation of college students. They end the article with an integrated illustration and practical recommendations for counseling psychologists who work with bereaved college students in various capacities within higher education (e.g., administrators, clinicians, educators, and researchers).