Evolution of a Health Focus

Abstract

This article develops the premise that counseling psychology programs should consider providing education and training in health psychology. It addresses key questions concerning the possible loss of traditional values or the necessity of modifying currently existing training programs to accommodate health psychology education and training. It concludes that providing health psychology training is an appropriate option for counseling psychology. The article then presents some general guidelines for health psychology education and training that could be adopted by counseling psychology programs. These include endorsement of (a) the scientist-practitioner model of training, (b) a university-based context of training, (c) basic grounding in the discipline of counseling psychology, (d) basic grounding in research methodology, (e) core courses in health psychology, G) elective courses from other departments, (g) recognition of the role of diversity, (h) traditional standards of licensure and accreditation for counseling psychologists, (i) a 1-year internship, and (j) integration of theory and practice of counseling psychology.