Who instigated the shift from vocational to individual counseling in school settings?

• A. Carl Rogers
• B. National Defense Education Act
• C. 1960s-70s
• D. 1987

Answer: (A)

Carl Rogers is the key influence here. He championed client-centered, non-directive counseling that centers on the student’s own thoughts, feelings, and choices, built on empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuine interactions. In school settings, this approach shifted the focus from simply directing students toward vocational paths to supporting their personal and emotional development through one-on-one counseling. That move—prioritizing the individual’s needs and self-directed growth—came to shape how school counselors operate, making one-on-one, student-centered counseling a staple alongside or beyond vocational guidance. The other options don’t fit because the National Defense Education Act was a funding law, not a theory or mover of counseling practice; the 1960s-70s era describes when changes happened but isn’t an agent; and a specific year like 1987 is not an initiator of a broad professional shift.