what is counselling psychology?

Answer 1

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Counseling psychology as a psychological specialty facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns. Through the integration of theory, research, and practice, and with a sensitivity to multicultural issues, this specialty encompasses a broad range of practices that help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to live more highly functioning lives.

Though closely related to clinical psychology, counseling psychology differs from that field in a several subtle ways. First, counseling psychologists typically focus on less severe psychopathology (e.g., depression and anxiety), while clinical psychologists deal with more seriously disturbed individuals (e.g., those with schizophrenia or personality disorders). Second, counseling psychologists are more likely than clinical psychologists to assume a client-centered or humanistic theoretical approach. Finally, counseling psychology is unique in its attention both to normal developmental issues as well as the problems associated with physical, emotional, and mental disorders. Despite these differences, counseling and clinical psychology are becoming increasingly indistinguishable, leading some to suggest that these fields be combined.

Populations served by counseling psychologists include persons of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Examples of those populations would include late adolescents or adults with career/educational concerns and children or adults facing severe personal difficulties. Counseling psychologists also consult with organizations seeking to enhance their effectiveness or the well-being of their members.

Counseling psychologists adhere to the standards and ethics established by the American Psychological Association and the American Counseling Association. Counseling psychologists or counselors who work in K-12 school settings also need to follow the ethic standard established by the American School Counselor Association. In Australia there are several associations offering standards and ethics. Each professional or trade association has its preferred qualification and practitioner standards, and also suggesting other requirements.

Answer 2

Counseling psychology as a psychological specialty facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns. Through the integration of theory, research, and practice, and with a sensitivity to multicultural issues, this specialty encompasses a broad range of practices that help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to live more highly functioning lives. Counseling psychology is unique in its attention both to normal developmental issues and to problems associated with physical, emotional, and mental disorders

Answer 3

Counseling psychology as a psychological specialty facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns. Through the integration of theory, research, and practice, and with a sensitivity to multicultural issues, this specialty encompasses a broad range of practices that help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to live more highly functioning lives.

Answer 4

Psychological problems are of two types - "psychoses"- which is used to refer to severe mental illness referred to as madness in local language, which are the main concern of clinical psychologists. as the word itself suggests "clinical"-referring to clinical problems- and - "neuroses" - psychological states of "normal people". the severity of neuroses differs in all individuals. but all people are neurotic..only the degree of neurosis in all of us varies.for example- "OCD" is a more severe neurosis than "unmanageable anger" and even less severe form is that of "feeling low" or "self esteem problems"...so Counseling Psychology by definition focuses on "all severities of neuroses". A Counseling Psychologist unlike the clinical psychologist by definition focuses on "remedy, prevention and development" of personalities. therefore it is not always neccessary to have a problem to visit a counseling psychologist.it helps to live a more fuller life and the focus is on "strenghts" intead of removal of weaknesses. the way the counseling psychologist works and approaches therapy is different. here the focus is not on the diagnosis or treatment but "development of the dignified human being".

the counseling psychologist does not necessarily need to make use of "psychological testing" or even Diiagnostic manual unlike clinical psychologist. it focuses on helping the individual become less and lesser neurotic. it helps the overall developemnt of personality and can give a better meaning to life.

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counseling_psychology

Answer 6

talking to a shrink