The field of counseling differentiates itself by focusing on a client's strengths and overall wellness. We believe that clients can come in for help with major mental illness or to simply improve or maintain their quality of life. But do we do a thorough job of teaching that in our programs? When our students go into the field, do they carry that wellness orientation with them?
Hi Stef. Not sure if I am clear about your question. I don't know CACREP stands for (I am in Australia) but it sounds like you are referring to Positive Psychology. The University of Melbourne has a Masters of Positive Psych (as does Penn U in your country).
Stef: As you know, the counseling profession has a long history of focusing on "wellness" as opposed to simply pathology (see attached article). In both our masters and doctoral programs at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), wellness is addressed in many classes and, in particular, we give wellness at least equal time in our classes that address maladaptive functioning. A good read for students and instructors alike is Counseling for Wellness: Theory, Research, and Practice (edited by Jane Myers and Tom Sweeney; published by the American Counseling Association). Thus, I can say confidently that our students at SHSU enter the field with a solid understanding of the wellness orientation that is foundational for counselor identity.
Hello,
I have an interest in counseling from a holistic approach to wellness.
You can utilize the Mastering The National Counselor Examination and The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination as a guide to determining whether the there is an emphasis on wellness. Also, if you review their standards in accrediting university programs, you can see the required subjects and topics for competency.
I think that because much of professional counseling focuses on the identifying and treating the disease process, material is not taught with a strategic focus on wellness or prevention. However, the CACREP requirements can easily be taught from not only a wellness perspective but a holistic wellness approach.
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