Barak and Golan (2000) explain that in 1977, Israel established the Law of Psychologists, which “recognized five distinctive areas of specialization, including clinical, educational, social/vocational, rehabilitation, and developmental psychology” (Barak & Golan, 2000, p 101). Counselling was not recognized as a distinct area, although in the 1980’s and 1990’s failed attempts were made to add this to the list (Barak & Golan, 2000). Furthermore, the law also states that psychotherapy is only allowed to be practiced by clinical psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists (Barak & Golan, 2000).
School counselling, however, is thriving, even having its own association. There is the Israeli Association of School Counsellors and a proposed Law of School Counsellors (Israelashvili & Wegman-Rozi, 2012). They are also one of the countries pioneering in preschool counselling, where teachers and parents are guided in working with young children (Israelashvili & Wegman-Rozi, 2012).
Another thriving division of counselling is family counselling, with multiple centers available throughout Israel. Israelashvili and Wegman-Rozi (2012) further explain that family counsellors in Israel complete their certification “by the Israeli Agency for Family and Couples Counseling” (Israelashvili & Wegman-Rozi, 2012, p 230).