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Reform in the Care of Mentally Ill Persons
French Physician Philippe Pinel advocates for the humane treatment of mentally ill persons, including removing them from jails and restraints and providing compassionate care. -
The Birth of Psychotherapy
Josef Breuer and Sigmund Freud publish "Studies on Hysteria" which is the beginning of psychoanalysis and "talk therapy". This work is so impactful it inspires some of the greats in counseling history like Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Carl Rogers. -
Vocational Counseling
Civil engineer Frank Parsons opens the first vocational counseling facility with the goal of matching people with careers based on their personality traits and skills. This vocational counseling expands the idea that counseling is not only viable for persons with mental illness. -
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Lobotomy as a Valid Treatment for Mental Illness
The surgical procedure known as a lobotomy is commonly used to treat mental illness, with over 60,000 procedures completed. -
The First Lobotomy
Walter Jackson Freeman performs the first lobotomy on a person with mental illness. This surgical procedure is the severing of the frontal lobe from other areas of the brain. The dangers of this procedure included complete incapacitation and fatality, yet this procedure continued into the 1950's. -
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Different Versions of Talk Therapy Emerge
From surgical Lobotomies to counseling, several key figures emerge with new philosophical ideations to best treat mental illness. The use of lobotomies becomes a nearly extinct practice and is banned in many places. -
Drug Treatment for Mental Illness
Chlorpromazine becomes available in France and has an immediate impact on patients who are mentally ill. It has a calming effect on patients who are unstable and difficult to treat, allowing for the removal of restraints. This also opens the gateway for neuropsychopharmacology, or the study of drugs on the brain. -
The American Counseling Association is Founded
American Counseling Association (ACA), established as the American Personnel and Guidance Association, provides professional counselors with a professional association. The ACA will later establish the first Code of Ethics for counselors. -
DSM
The first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is published by the American Psychological Association, allowing clinicians to use one common glossary of descriptions of the diagnostic categories. Today we are up to the DSM-5TR edition. -
The University of Pennsylvania Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is Founded
AAron Beck seeks evidence to support the use of psychoanalysis on patients with depression but instead learns the enormity of negative thinking as a barrier. Beck is given credit for Cognitive Behavioral Thinking (CBT), which suggests that modification of thoughts will lead to improved outcomes. -
The Community Mental Health Act
The Community Mental Health Act (CMHA) is signed by John F. Kennedy with the goal to reduce the number of individuals who are institutionalized. Instead, the Act supports the growth of mental health centers and patient autonomy. -
The Impact of Childhood Trauma Comes to Light
Kaiser Permanente and the Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) conduct a study on the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or childhood trauma on adults. Each participant was given a 10-question quiz asking questions about events prior to their 18th birthday. A relationship between ACEs and addiction are recognized as well as other mental health and physical issues. -
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity (MHPAE) Act
President George W. Bush signs the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity (MHPAE) Act which was passed as law. The Act sought to bring equality to mental health and substance abuse treatment health insurance coverage for with other medical health benefits. -
California Becomes the 50th State to Require Licensure for Counselors
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 788 into law, making California the 50th and final state to license professional counselors. The first state to require a license was Virginia in 1976.
