Profiling a Profession: A Victorian Survey Assessing Lay Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Counselling Psychologists

Abstract

The current study employed a mixed‐methods approach to examine perceptions towards and knowledge of counselling psychologists, including perceived differences between counselling and clinical psychologists. One hundred and fourteen adult members of the Victorian general public participated in the study and completed a 65‐item questionnaire, the Counselling Psychology Status Survey. As predicted, results from quantitative analysis showed that counselling psychologists were reported to be highly needed, valued, and respected by the current sample of Victorian residents. Respondents also reported a high level of confidence in counselling psychologists to treat various mental illnesses. Thematic analysis of qualitative textual data derived from written responses to an open‐ended question revealed that compared with clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists were understood to be less qualified, less skilled, and to work with less severe or complex client presentations. Taken together, results from this study suggest that although counselling psychology appears to occupy a positive public image, the importance of public promotion and awareness‐raising of the specialist profession of counselling psychology, and the continuing need for public education into the nature of psychological services and the qualifications, skills, and competencies of practitioners of psychological service provision, particularly compared with clinical psychology, cannot be underestimated.

Challenges facing Australian counselling psychologists: A qualitative analysis

“…This finding raises important questions about how counselling psychologists may be viewed in the public sphere as compared to clinical psychologists. In a recent survey (7 years after the introduction of Better Access ) exploring Victorian lay attitudes towards and knowledge of counselling psychologists, McKeddie () found a primarily positive public image with some clear limitations. Counselling psychologists were perceived as dealing with less severe problems and relationship difficulties, while clinical psychologists were seen as working with complex and life‐threatening problems.…”

“…Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, counselling psychology thrived in Australia—there was an expansion in training programs and active research in the field, represented in the Australian Journal of Counselling Psychology . Both clinical and counselling psychology professionals were able to operate alongside each other in health settings (Brown & Corne, ; McKeddie, ; Pelling, ) and it seemed that although there were similarities between clinical and counselling psychologists, there were also significant differences in training and philosophy (McKeddie, ).…”

“…It appears that Better Access has, over time, negatively impacted the public perception of counselling psychologists. A recent study by McKeddie (), 7 years after the introduction of Better Access , investigated lay attitudes towards and knowledge of counselling psychologists. The results found that while counselling psychologists were held in high regard, they were perceived as being less qualified, less trained, and less capable of dealing with complex mental health disorders, than clinical psychologists.…”

Examination of the Licensure Differences of Mental Health Professionals in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Athletic Departments

“…In another study, licensed counselors indicated they perceived themselves as a unique profession with a different focus than psychologists and social workers (Mellin et al, 2011). It is not surprising that there has been consistent role confusion for individuals who seek mental health care since there is disagreement in the professional field itself (McKeddie, 2013;Murstein & Fontaine, 1993;Robiner, 2006). Individuals should be knowledgeable of these differences as "clearer articulation of disciplines' respective scopes of practice and training models potentially could enhance consumers' understanding of their choices" between mental health professionals (Robiner, 2006, p. 614).…”