Counseling Psychology
Program Philosophy and Training Model
The Counseling Psychology program offers graduate education and training designed to produce professionally competent psychologists who can facilitate improved personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span. It adheres to the broadly based scientist/practitioner model articulated at the Boulder Conference in 1949, developed and extended at other landmark events such as the Northwestern Conference (1951), the Graystone Conference (1964), the Georgia Conference (1987) and the Gainesville Conference in 1990. The program at WVU follows an elaboration of this model called by Hoshmand & Polinghorne (1992) the "Practitioner-Scholar Model" in which the authors state that "psychological science as a human practice and psychological practice as a human science inform each other" and they emphasize the importance of "the development of reflective skills" in the practice of psychology.
The core values of Counseling Psychology as reflected in this philosophy include:
- focus on individual strengths, positive mental health and capacity building
- respect for cultural and individual diversity
- scientific foundation for all activities
- developmental models of human growth
- integrative models of therapeutic intention
- awareness of community values and an attitude of service
- education
- career/vocational development
What is a Counseling Psychologist?
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.
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.
[Available on line at: http://www.div17.org/Students/whatis.htm]