Training in Counseling Psychology: Data and Trends

Internship and Initial Job Placements in Counseling Psychology

“…Current definitions of the predoctoral internship indicate that it is an "experience occurring after completion of didactic coursework and appropriate practica and before the granting of the doctorate degree" (Holloway & Roehlke, 1987, p. 210). The duration of the experience has historically been 9 months of full-time placement (or 2 years half-time), and it was not until the early 1980s that the majority of counseling psychology programs began requiring a 12-month (compared with a 9-month) internship placement (Alcorn & Nicholas, 1983). Importantly, as Holloway and Roehlke note, "The predoctoral internship serves as the linchpin between academic preparation and entry into professional employment as a counseling psychologist" (p. 210), and for that reason it is often regarded as the "capstone" experience in the professional training of the field's graduates.…”

“…Since its inception in 1974, CCPTP has conducted an annual survey focusing on issues of academic and professional training. Published summaries have appeared periodically, although not annually (Alcorn & Nicholas, 1983;Banikiotes, 1977Banikiotes, , 1980Cameron et al, 1989;Galassi & Moss, 1986;Gallessich & Olmstead, 1987;Richardson & Massey, 1986). These summaries include data concerning internship and initial job placements of counseling psychologists.…”

Identity Achievement or Diffusion: A Response to Van Hesteren and Ivey

“…Furthermore, contrary to what the authors assert, the concept of development was a central idea promoted in at least two major reports emanating from the Third National Conference for Counseling Psychology (Kagan et al, 1988;Meara et al, 1988). While there is evidence that the practices of counseling psychologists may have changed in the last decade (Alcorn & Nicholas, 1983;Fitzgerald & Osipow, 1986), and that development may align itself more closely with psychology than counseling as some have proposed (Watkins, 1988), it seems clear that the general concept of development remains very much a part of counseling psychology. While this may change as counseling psychology continues to reflect on its own identity, making the concept of development a distinctive characteristic between counseling and development and counseling psychology seems to be in error-at least for the near future.…”

A Well‐Kept Secret: What Counseling Psychology Can Offer Social Psychology1

“…Along with this, while social psychology is considered a core area of study in the training of counseling psychologists, counseling psychology does not occupy a similar position for social psychologists. Because social psychologists, for the most part, have not been exposed to counseling psychology during their training, it is not surprising that they have failed to systematically consider research conducted by counseling psycholo-Finally, the fact that most counseling psychologists are employed in non-academic clinical settings (Alcorn & Nicholas, 1983;Tipton, 1984) while most social psychologists are located in academic, governmental, or industrial settings (Levy, 1979;Woods, 1976) has further contributed to counseling psychology's lack of influence. It would appear that counseling and social psychologists have had little opportunity to affiliate with each other on a regular basis.…”