266-288

Counselling psychology in today’s Greece

• Μαλικιώση - Λοΐζου, Μαρία

In this article the current status and future directions for counselling psychology in Greece are discussed. Specifically, the article is based on SWOT analysis, focusing on topics such as the identity of counselling psychology in Greece, its strengths and weaknesses, opportunities for development, objectives and strategies for its advancement. Beginning with a brief history of the development of counselling psychology in Greece, the article proceeds by identifying its strengths, which include a rapid growth of professional and research activity, and an increasing demand for specialized graduate education as well as counselling services. Weaknesses include the small recognition counselling psychology has as a specialty of psychology, compared to clinical psychology, as well as the lack of a clear professional identity. Opportunities concentrate around the possibility offered by the newly started graduate programs in counselling psychology to prepare qualified professionals, as well as around the possibility to incorporate counselling psychology services not only in mental health agencies but also in many other education and employment organizations. Steps like that will clarify to the general public what exactly is counselling psychology and will contribute to its recognition and acceptance as a separate specialty of psychology. One of the major threats but also challenges facing counselling psychology in Greece has to do with those who, without appropriate qualifications or professional experience, identify themselves as counselling psychologists without experiencing any impunity.

• Psychology

• Psychology, Applied

συμβουλευτική ψυχολογία, SWOT ανάλυση

Περιέχει βιβλιογραφία, Special issue: Counselling psychology