TPC-Digests-V1-Issues-123

A b s t r a c t The counseling profession has experienced significant growth and diversifica- tion to become a viable member of the global mental health profession. Origi- nally founded in the U.S. as the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA), the profession has expanded to the flagship American Counseling Association, 19 divisional affiliates, and licensure in all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rica, the National Board for Certified Counselors, the Interna- tional Association of Counselling (IAC) and numerous other global professional organizations. This manuscript will outline the counseling profession’s genesis, growth, enumerate current challenges, speculate on the profession’s future and offer concrete suggestions to ensure the profession’s continued viability in a rapidly evolving, global age. January 30th, 2012 Shannon Hodges T hrough a G lass D arkly – E nvisioning the F uture of the C ounseling P rofession : A C ommentary Through a Glass Darkly: Envisioning the Future of the Counseling Profession: A Commentary, overviews the origins of the counseling profession: struggles, successes, and challenges. Besides providing a foundational basis for where the counseling profession, licensure in all 50 states and major territories plus increased professional privileges, the more critical focus of the manuscript lies in examining professional and marketplace trends and making specific recommendations for the future vitality of the counseling profession. While noting the historical importance of the guidance movement, the manuscript TPC Digest Go To Article