An Occupational Analysis of Consulting Psychology: Results of a National Survey

Unlike the four de facto specialties in psychology-counseling, clinical, school, and industrial/organizational psychology-consulting psychology is not formally recognized as a predoctoral training area. In spite of this, many psychologists offer consulting services as part of their professional practice. To obtain an occupational analysis of consulting psychology, this study was designed to examine the parameters of practice and professional identity of 143 consulting psychologists who are members of the Division of Consulting Psychology. Results suggest that consulting psychologists see themselves as primarily serving individual and organization consultees in business/industrial and hospital settings. The skill most important to professional identity is general problem solving. When the graduates of the defacto specialties were examined for consultation education and practice differences, few differences emerged, indicating that no recognized current specialty better trains consultants. Results are discussed in light of the need for specific course work, supervised experiences, and professional development in consulting.