Whatever Happened to Counseling in Counseling Psychology? 1Ψ7

Abstract

A suspected decline in published counseling-related research in The Counseling Psychologist ( TCP) and the Journal of Counseling Psychology ( JCP) was investigated through content analyses of the two journals from 1979 to 2008. A marked decline in counseling-related research may signify a shift in emphasis away from counseling as the most fundamental area of counseling psychology. Findings revealed a drop in counseling-related articles from 77.7% to 37.2% of all articles. Both journals independently showed a decline, but it was more pronounced for JCP. Analogue studies decreased most sharply, whereas field studies, supervision, career, and prevention research also declined markedly. Potential explanations are offered, including fewer counseling-related articles submitted, a trend toward more stringent methodological criteria, fewer senior role models, changing editorial preferences, expanded publication outlets, and a shift in emphasis or identity within counseling psychology. Recommendations are proposed for the promotion of more counseling-related research.