Historical Development of Counseling

Early 1900s

1908

Frank Parsons the father of vocational guidance, opens the Bureau of Vocational Guidance in Boston which paves the way for institutionalization of guidance.

NVGA

1913

The National Vocational Guidance Association was founded. This legitimacy helped increase the number of guidance counselors and set the groundwork for counseling.

1930s

1939

The Great Depression developed the first theory of working with students and the unemployed, introducing a direct counselor-centered approach.
U. S government created the Dictionary of Occupational Titles as a career source for vocational guidance specialists.

Early 1940s

1942

Carl Rogers published his book “Counseling and Psychotherapy” introducing that clients' growth increases when they are dealing with good listeners and feel they are being heard. This theory explores options that give clear guidance on building connections with your clients and learning how to help develop a healing process.

World War II

1946

During World War II the U.S. government understood the importance of counselors and psychologists by having them work with the military due to mental illnesses.
George-Barden Act promoted counseling by funding vocational education for counseling training institutes and the Veterans Administration sponsored counselors and psychologists trainings.

Division of Counseling 1950s

1952

The American Personnel and Guidance Association was founded in 1952 to create counseling, guidance, and mental health services.
The National Defense Education Act of 1958 was created to fund counseling programs and training counselors in hopes that it will increase school counselors.

1960s

1963

Community Mental Centers Act paved the way for careers in counseling for addiction and alcohol abuse counseling across the U.S.

1970s

1976

This began the need for specialized training developments in counseling, employing counselors in mental health clinics, psychiatric hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
In 1976, the American Mental Health Counselor Association established steps toward solidifying mental health counselors as a valid profession. Virginia became the first state to take on a professional counselor licensure law.

1980s

1982

The National Board for Certified Counselors was created to certify counselors on a national level. This standardized test is needed to be passed in order to become a National Certified Counselor.

1990s

1992

Counseling officially became a primary mental health profession by the Center for Mental Health Services and the National Institute of Mental Health.

2000s to Present

2000

The counseling community has created many plans for working with different ages, psychological treatments, and how to provide person-centered mental health services.