THE DISCIPLINE OF COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY
As a distinct discipline, Counseling Psychology is relatively new. Historically it has emerged from the related fields of psychological meas urement, vocational guidance and personality development. As such it has significant overlap with disciplines such as clinical psychology, edu cational psychology, counseling and guidance and personnel psychology. A general goal of the counseling psychologist is the facilitation of personal development of people of all ages. To narrow this somewhat, the counseling psychologist generally emphasizes work with adolescents and adults. In comparison to educational and school psychologists the counseling psychologist places a lesser emphasis on the educational en vironment, diagnosis of learning disabilities and special education pro grams. He places a greater emphasis on self-awareness, vocational plan ning and personal development. While the counseling psychologist deals with people at all points on an adjustment continuum his "clients" typically do not exhibit as severe personality disturbances as those seen by clinical psychologists. In addi tion, the counseling psychologist places relatively greater stress on per sonality growth of "normal" individuals, utilization of personal and environmental assets and family and vocational fulfillment. Graduates of a doctoral program in Counseling Psychology find employment in a wide range of settings. Many are employed in college counseling centers with faculty appointments in psychology or education. Others are in public schools, outpatient clinics, private practice, research facilities and hospitals. With recent emphasis on community mental health services counseling psychologists are increasingly involved in com munity education, interdisciplinary programs, consultant activities and a variety of related professional roles. 12
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