Counselling Psychology in Aotearoa/New Zealand--What is it, Where has it Come From, and Where Might it Go?

As a formal professional entity, in the sense of having a state registration with a gazetted scope of practice, an approved training pathway, and its own professional body, the practice tradition of counselling psychology is a relatively new phenomenon in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This paper explores the origins of this practice tradition, both globally and locally, as well as its intrinsic nature. The author argues that counselling psychology aims to be distinctive in privileging relationship, and in supporting this position through both the art and understanding of practice, as well as the knowledge that comes from the application of scholarship and science, particularly human science, to this practice. This claim inevitably brings the practice tradition into relationship with others who occupy some or perhaps all of the same territory. The paper concludes with consideration of some features as well as some potential outcomes of this situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]