The Working Committee on Counselors was officially established in July 2019, following approval by the CPS Executive Council in August 2018. The establishment of this committee is rooted in several compelling needs:
First, it’s a national requirement. Given the shift of the main contradiction in Chinese society, building a robust social psychological service system has become crucial to the population’s improved quality of life. Psychological counseling practitioners act as critical service providers in this process. The government withdrew from the identification of professional qualifications for psychological counselors in September 2017, further encouraging industry associations and related organizations in career development and counseling-related industry regulation.
Second, it’s the people’s demand. The period of social change in China has led to a growing demand for a better life, resulting in heightened mental stress, pronounced societal contradictions, and an increase in mental health problems. This has fueled a rapid increase in the demand for psychological services across various sectors. A well-organized and professionally trained team of psychological counseling practitioners is needed to address these diverse needs at the grassroots level.
Third, it’s for counselor development. With millions of psychology enthusiasts pursuing the study and examination of counseling, coupled with the issuance of counselor certificates to over a million individuals, there is a pressing need for a work platform to support the professional growth of current counselors and cater to the future influx of counseling practitioners.
Fourth, it’s for psychology development in China. Acknowledging psychology as an ecosystem, it is recognized that while some psychologists engage in basic theoretical and experimental research, there is an equally critical need for psychology workers who apply psychological knowledge to address people’s mental health problems. Establishing a platform to facilitate self-management, self-growth, community service, and the realization of counselors’ value is imperative. This platform will also play a vital role in organizing and standardizing the professional development of counselors in China.
Business Scope of the Working Committee of Psychological Counselors:
1. Coordinate and organize the psychological counselor team to contribute to the construction of the social psychological service system.
2. Utilize academic and organizational resources to facilitate the professional development of China’s psychological counselor team.
3. Formulate industry standards pertaining to psychological counseling and establish regulations for the professional conduct of psychological counselors.
4. Facilitate experience exchange and collaborative efforts among psychological counselors while promoting the popularization of psychology and public welfare services.
5. Collaborate with relevant organizations domestically and internationally to jointly advance the establishment of professional ethics, supervision systems, academic support structures, and career development systems for China’s counseling psychology team.
Contact: Wu Kankan (Secretary)
E-mail: wukk@psych.ac.cn
