Professional Associations, Counseling

History

Although the organization was incorporated in 1952, its history can be traced to the turn of the 20th century, when the association's first division, the National Vocational Guidance Association (NVGA), was established independently in 1913. Eleven years later, in 1924, the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) was founded. The Student Personnel Association for Teacher Education (SPATE) was formed in 1931. The National Association of Guidance and Counselor Trainers (NAGCT) originated in 1940.

Discussion of unifying these four groups was introduced in 1949 at a meeting of the Council of Guidance and Personnel Associations. Proponents supported the notion of “one national voice speaking for the guidance and personnel profession” (Simmons, 2002, p. 8). In response, the members of these four existing organizations established the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA) in 1952. The annual dues were $6.00. The offices were leased from the American Psychological Association (APA), and many of the original members and leaders were psychologists. In fact, Donald Super, a psychologist who viewed the fledgling organization as an interest group, became the second president.

Despite Super's perception of APGA as an interest group, the association prevailed and flourished, and each of the original divisions contributed a cornerstone to its diverse areas of identity and philosophy. For example, facilitation of career development remains a hallmark of professional counseling (NVGA's influence). The notion of development extends across the life span, rather than remaining focused on childhood (ACPA's influence). Additionally, counselors have actively participated in various educational enterprises. Counselors have championed ethical practice, unconditional positive regard, equality, advocacy, and human rights (SPATE'S influence). Founding members also recognized the importance of preparation for counselors, training standards, theory-based approaches to counseling, supervision, continuing education, and research (NAGCT's influence).

As the subgroups' identities evolved, their names were changed to the National Career Development Association (NCDA), the Counseling Association of Humanistic Education and Development (C-AHEAD), and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES). ACPA disaffiliated in 1992. Other divisions were chartered as the organization grew and responded to the needs of its members and society.

By the 1970s, members of APGA recognized the importance of licensure, certification, and accreditation. With the development of these three areas of credentialing emerged standardization of training procedures, identification of minimum qualifications for practice of counseling, and a stronger professional identity. The first licensure law was enacted in 1976 in Virginia. The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) was established in 1981, and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) was formed in 1982. These three separate but integrally related entities reflect consistency among standards for counselor education programs, licensure requirements, and certification criteria.

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