School Counseling

A Relatively New Profession with Historical Roots

Ancient Philosophers and Religious Leaders

Considered to be the first counselorsMoses 1200 BCBuddha 500 BCConfucius 500 BCSocrates 450 BC

Ancient Philosophers/Religious Leaders as First Counselors

Inspired and encouraged thru teachingTried to impart wisdom to stimulate growthHelped followers find way to peaceHippocrates—Medical philosopher, first psychiatrist; credited with homeostasis, prognosis 400 BC

Ancient Philosophers/Religious Leaders as First Counselors

Descartes—studied mind as distinct from body—first psychologist 1596-1656Inhumane early treatments

Three Parallel Movements

Psychometric MovementGuidance EraMental Health Movement

Psychometric Movement—First Quarter of 20th Century

Reliability

Validity

Standardization

Psychometric Movement

1905 Alfred Binet and T. Simon develop scale to measure mental abilityWWI Army Alpha—groupUses in vocational guidance

Guidance Era 1895-1915

Need for skilled workersBelief that individual development could be directed

Guidance Era—ParsonsFrank Parsons—founder of guidance movement, 1905 organized Boston Vocational Bureau, formed model of vocational guidance which included:Analysis of interests, abilities, aptitudesExploration of available occupationsReasoning to find appropriate match

Guidance EraModel led to niche for guidance personnel in schools for 60 yrs.End of WWII fueled vitality of guidance movementSputnik launching led to 1958 National Defense Education Act

Guidance Era--NDEAFederal grants for education includingCounselor TrainingSchool Counseling programsPrograms in math, science and foreign languages

Mental Health MovementFreudComprehensive model for understanding human behaviorCatharsisHypnosisUnconscious

Mental Health Movement

Clifford Beers—compassionate friend approachNational Mental Health Act 1946Carl Rogers—Client Centered Therapy p. 30

Mental Health Movement-Rogers

Stressed importance of relationshipRejected medical “mental illness” modelAdded element of client responsibilityCounseling relationship necessary and sufficient for client change (KEY)1960’s & 70’s competition from theories who argued relationship is needed but not sufficient for change

School Counseling: An Overview

Guidance movement--key influenceCareer/vocational orientationDirective approachGuidance to meet needs of workforce/nation

Psychometric movement added standardization/data

School Counseling: An Overview

Mental Health movement Freud—talking cureRogers—importance of relationship; primacy of person over problem

School Counseling: An Overview

Creation of APGA now American Counseling Association1964 NDEA Amendments extended talent search to elementary school1960’s Gilbert Wrenn advocated developmental approach (prevention) rather than remedial approach (intervention)

School Counseling: An Overview

1970’s & 80’s – developmental approach and accountabilityCritical IssuesLooking to the Future