This study examined the relationships between age, socioeconomic status (SES), cultural mistrust, African self-consciousness, and attitude about seeking psychological help in 131 Black male undergraduate and graduate students as measured by the Hollingshead Social Status Index, Cultural Mistrust Inventory (CMI), African Self-Consciousness scale (ASC), and Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help scale (ATSPPH). Pearson r correlations indicated small magnitude, statistically significant correlations between age and ATSPPH (.19) and SES and ATSPPH (−.22) and nonsignificant correlations between ASC and ATSPPH (−.10) and CMI and ATSPPH (−.14). Simultaneous multiple regression analysis with age, SES, CMI, and ASC as predictor variables and ATSPPH as criterion identified age and SES as the significant unique predictors ( R = .32, R² = .10). Findings indicated older, lower SES, Black, male students with lower CMI tended to have more positive attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help.

Counseling psychologist members of Division 17 (n = 1,792) were compared with counseling psychologist nonmembers of Division 17 within the American Psychological Association (APA; n = 6,917) with respect to demographic, educational, and professional characteristics reported in the 2003 APA Directory Survey. Employment setting and work activities of both groups were also studied based on employment data from the 2000 APA Directory Survey (n = 3,908). Findings indicated a relatively lower percentage of newer counseling psychologists maintaining membership in Division 17 and reflected differences in the employment settings and professional activities of each group. With respect to APA division membership, a majority of counseling psychologists who did not belong to Division 17 also did not belong to any divisions within APA (67.8%). APA divisions most frequently joined by counseling psychologist nonmembers of Division 17 included Divisions 42, 29, 35, 43, and 40.

The profession of counseling psychology in the United States of America has evolved and developed over the last six decades. The current article provides a brief historical overview and highlights counseling psychology's emergence in the US with particular attention to the influences surrounding the birth of counseling psychology in the 1950s. A review of major developments in counseling psychology in the US is provided along with a discussion of the current definition and description of the field; philosophy; licensure, registration and certification; professional organizations; and international linkages.

In the field of counseling, there has been a growing awareness of the important role the Black church plays in African American communities. Although counseling professionals have begun recognizing the influence the Black church has in the lives of African Americans, there seems to be little information on how counselors can collaborate with African American congregations to meet the mental health needs of African American clients. The authors examine how counselors can use the psychological and social strengths of the Black church. Strategies and implications for collaborating with this institution are also discussed.