Summary Of A Vision For The Future Of Counseling Profession

In 2006, the American Association of State and Counseling Boards (AASCB) voiced their concerns about “the lack of unity within the counseling profession”. As a result, there was an assemblage with the American Council Association (ACA) and later 27 other major organizations, to strategically format a long-term plan for counselors’ to continued development and growth. As new ideas emerged from various delegates and their workgroups, seven major focal points became essential to the renovation of professional counselors. Each of these areas were divided into sections to address specific potential issues within the counselors’ developmental cycle. The counseling organizations developed a detailed chart that included the seven major areas along
with 22 distinct goals for the future of counseling. In conclusion, the professional counseling arena united their visions and committed themselves to the seven principles that would strengthen and unify them as counselors.

Counselor Identify and Reaction Paper
The article “ A Vision for the Future of Counseling: Unifying and Strengthening the Profession” detailed how 29 counseling organizations collaborated and formed one vision for the future of counseling professionals.
The mission to form one vision for future counselor actually begun 10 years earlier, by other goal oriented counselors. Although their ideas were not used immediately, these previous pioneers provided a solid foundation that was used as a guide to develop the current plan. Their ideas focused on various potential issues within the counseling profession, such as developing a counselor’s identity, adequate compensation, promotion of common goals with associates, collaborating with sister organizations, research funding, and encouraging human development. The effort of these organizations helped the birth of 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling. This triumphant success did not come easy. Each workgroup had to focus on specific issues that had a negative impact to the advancement of counseling as well as the services they provide. After long cycles of meetings and a consensus, the core principles for strengthening and unifying counseling was established and known throughout the counseling
arena.
This vision represented seven principles that itemized the process of how to strengthen and unify professional counselors. For counseling advancement, the following principles were endorsed; strengthening identity, representing as one profession, changing public perception, licensure portability, research development, act as mentors, and advocate for client welfare.
This was a major accomplishment for professional counseling organizations across the world. For the first time in history, more than 29 organizations work in partnership to develop a guide for the growth and the progression of counselors and counseling.
After reading this article, one could presume that the members of the AASCB were seasoned counselors, who had reached a pivotal stage in their profession and understood the need for identity and unity.
Granello and Young (2011) indicated that counselors and counseling, takes time to develop (p 138). Therefore, it would not be surprising if after years of counseling, one sought out for ways of refining and growing in their profession.
Personal Perspective
Although, there were two antecedents prior to 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling, the effort of the various organizations was finally completed. Often times, good ideas can come from individuals who are eager to advance and share new ideas. However, as seen in this article, those ideas or suggestions get diminutive recognition and seemingly left undone. As Christians and as Christian counselors, scripture tells us to plant the seed, water it and watch God add the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-9, The King James Version). The seed was planted in 1981, watered in 1998 and God allowed the increase in 2006. Knowledge
Gained
If God’s sovereignty permits the increase or allows things to happen, then Christian counselors’ should accept what God allows. Counselors can reach their full potential and identity by acknowledging their family background and their life experiences. Accepting these things and using them in positive formats propels us forward, into a new being, with a new vision. Perhaps that vision is unity. Although, this article does not include Christian beliefs, it does recognize unity as power like in 1 Cor. 10:6 (New International Version) states, “I appeal to you…that all of you agree with one another in what you say …that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought”.

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