Origins and purpose

This chapter will outline the historical context of counselling psychology. It will reflect upon the way in which the therapeutic professions have evolved from and developed alongside earlier forms of support and become firmly embedded in the infrastructure of many societies. Despite a history that has seen some separation between mainstream psychology and counselling, the importance of maintaining this link is discussed. Notably, the role of psychological theory is utilised to aid our understanding of human growth, responses to distress and the ways in which individuals might work towards constructive change. To end, a brief reflection is made of the current training pathways to becoming a counselling psychologist.