The origins of school counseling can be traced to the work of Jesse B. Davis, who is often considered the first school counselor. In 1907, Davis began working as a vocational counselor in a public school in Michigan. His role primarily involved helping students with vocational guidance and career planning.
The school counseling profession continued to evolve during the 1920s and 1930s. The focus shifted beyond vocational guidance to encompass academic and personal development. Frank Parsons, often regarded as the father of vocational guidance, made significant contributions during this period.
Following World War II, there was a growing recognition of the importance of addressing the social and emotional needs of students in addition to academic and vocational guidance. This led to the expansion of the school counselor’s role to include personal and social counseling.
During these decades, school counseling programs continued to expand, and specialization within the field increased. School counselors began to focus on issues like college admissions, crisis intervention, and career development.
The late 20th century saw the development of comprehensive school counseling programs that aimed to address the academic, career, and personal/social needs of students. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) played a pivotal role in promoting these comprehensive models.
The concept of school counseling has expanded beyond the United States and is now recognized and practiced in many countries around the world, albeit with variations in roles and responsibilities based on cultural and educational contexts.
