The Politics of Counseling: Looking Back and Forward

Abstract

This article examines reasons for the counseling profession's movement away from its activist roots toward policies and agendas that are less socially engaged. Concern with individualism, struggle for public acceptance, continued reliance on narrow research interests, and increased emphasis on accreditation and credentialing are all discussed as factors contributing to the counseling profession's inability to advocate for effective social change.

An Emancipatory Communitarian Approach to Vocational Development Theory, Research, and Practice

“…Furthermore, recognition of the structural and systematic causes of many educational and work problems has initiated discussion about how counseling professionals can influence social and public policy (Fassinger, 2001;Herr, 1996Herr, , 2003McClure & Russo, 1996;Watts, 2000).…”

Advocacy for the Counseling Profession: Results of a National Survey

“…Client needs and strategies for advocacy on behalf of clients have received considerable attention in the professional literature (e.g., Lee, 1997;Lee & Walz, 1998;Smaby & Daugherty, 1995;Torkelson-Lynch & Gussel, 1996;White, Thomas, & Nary, 1997); however, there is a virtual dearth of information relative to advocacy for the profession (Eriksen, 1997). McClure and Russo (1996) suggested that professional advocacy involves siphoning resources away from client concerns by focusing them on areas of intraprofessional conflict, hence advocacy for the profession rather than for clients seems almost selfish or self-serving. This perspective places advocacy for clients and advocacy for the profession in direct conflict, rather than viewing them as complementary activities that are each necessary for specific purposes.…”

Advocacy for Counseling and Counselors: A Professional Imperative

“…Unfortunately, advocacy for clients and advocacy for the counseling profession are frequently viewed as opposite and incompatible activities. For example, McClure and Russo (1996) suggested that the counseling profession has moved away from its activist roots and become less socially engaged, processes viewed as undesirable. They noted that the struggle for public acceptance of the profession and an increased emphasis on accreditation and credentialing are factors that contribute to the inability of professional counselors to be effective advocates for social change.…”