Public Image of Counseling Psychology:

Abstract

The public image of counseling psychology was discussed at the Third National Conference for Counseling Psychology. To examine the way counseling psychology is perceived, it has been recommended that psychology textbooks be reviewed. The purpose of this study was to examine the adequacy of descriptions of counseling psychology and its professionals in introductory psychology textbooks compared to the descriptions of other applied areas of psychology (i.e., clinical psychology, industrial or organizational psychology, school psychology, and counseling). The top 10 introductory psychology textbooks sold in the United States were reviewed. Results showed that counseling psychology is less represented than industrial or organizational and clinical psychology and more represented than school psychology and counseling. The practice of counseling psychology is often presented as indistinguishable from clinical psychology, and when differentiated, as limited to problems of daily living, career issues, or both. Recommendations are made to address deficiencies in public image.