Counselling psychology and psychological testing: Professional issues

Abstract

In the early days of the Counselling Psychology Division in the UK the ‘grandparents’ who became the first Chartered members were psychologists who had gone on to pursue training and employment in the counselling arena.Most Counselling Psychologists at this time had no wish to use psychological tests with their clients. Indeed, the use of tests was opposed by the majority of Counselling Psychologists as a form of ‘labelling’ or categorisation in the same way diagnostic labels can be used to discriminate against clients. It was seen as not in keeping with our humanistic philosophy.However, time and the success of counselling psychologists has resulted in increasing numbers of Counselling Psychologists being employed in settings which require the use of tests as part of their work with clients. Can these demands be reconciled with our humanistic underpinnings? Should they? Can we as Counselling Psychologists use these tests and preserve our way of being and thinking about our clients? Can we use these tests and enable them to benefit rather than harm our clients?