Counseling as a Profession

Hackney and Cormier (2005) describe counseling as a process directed toward the resolution of a problem. It is also important, and perhaps comforting, to note that counseling operates from a human growth and development model rather than from the traditional medical model. Ellis (2003) taught that people encounter life events through out their life span. An event might be marriage, illness, career change, job loss, good fortune, bad fortune, addiction, getting married, new activities, feeling stuck, or anything else you may name between birth and death. Most of the time a person's response to these life events is adaptive. That is, people encounter a life event, respond, resolve the issue, and move on. Sometimes though, what we learned in the past doesn't work “now.” Counseling is a process designed to resolve this kind of problem. I believe people grow and develop throughout their life. It is never too late, or too early, to grow and develop in ways that make life better for you.

According to Kottler & Brown (2000) counseling is grounded in many disciplines. They state that “It is a hybrid of knowledge from philosophy, education, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, and family studies.” They also point out that “...all life experiences - books, films, travels, relationships, fantasies, jobs, losses, disasters, and triumphs - help the professional to be more effective.” In my case, having a BS in Engineering, MBA, BA in Sociology, and MA in Counseling all help. Three decades of experience working in large corporations is helpful. A lifetime of experience and personal growth is helpful as well.

The Mental Health Professions

Kottler & Brown (2000) provide the following descriptions of what the various mental health professionals do. Note that counselors typically work with people who are “relatively normal” in how they function rather than with people who have psychopathological symptoms. There is however, significant overlap between the professions.

Counselors

Therapeutic interventions with relatively normal functioning clients who are experiencing adjustment reactions, developmental issues and problems of daily living including career, education, family, person, and esteem issues.

Psychologists

Diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management of persons with psychopathological symptoms and other severe mental disturbances.

Psychiatrists

Medical management of patients with clinically significant psychological problems; use of medication, hospitalization, and therapy to restore normal functioning.

Social Workers

Social casework and therapy to mediate relationships with social structures like schools, agencies, and health care facilitates.

Marital/Family Therapists

Systemic approach to diagnosing and treating problems in a family context. Extensive use of more active/directive interventions to realign family structures.

References