The state and federal governments, along with private industry, play an important role in the development of a health profession. State governments establish training standards through licensure laws, and state programs dictate employment and payment opportunities. The federal government unifies a profession through recognition in national health…

Singapore, a tiny island nation, rose from 3rd- to 1st-world status in just 3 decades. Unlike in most developed countries, counseling in Singapore has a short history with faith-based beginnings and currently faces challenges to remain culturally relevant. The authors trace the development of Singapore's counseling services, provide an update…

The authors provide a sociohistorical overview of the development of the counseling profession in Japan. They describe Japan's major social, cultural, and political changes; growing psychological problems in Japanese society; and an increased need for counseling services. Historical overviews and the current state of counseling are presented with…

Gives a brief history of the National Board for Certified Counselors and the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors, and discusses future goals and projections for each group. Describes history and criteria for rehabilitation counselor certification, and the movement toward credentialing career counselors. (BH)

A survey of 136 Web sites offering counseling through computer chat rooms and e-mail revealed a wide range of credentials of providers, fees for service, and low levels of compliance with the ethical standards for WebCounseling published by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Implications for professional practice and public confidence in…

Describes the legal, ethical, and professional problems related to the private practice of rehabilitation counseling. Recommends counselor licensure as a remedy. (Author)

Describes the 1983 law that provides for registration of practicing counselors in North Carolina. Explains that registration informs the public by identifying persons who have met minimum qualifications, but allows others to continue practicing without meeting such requirements. (LLL)

This article presents possible modifications of the American Association for Counseling and Development standards of preparation. Incorporation of computer preparation standards for counseling and human development professionals is suggested. (Author)

Discusses how counselors face demands throughout their careers for information from various sources including licensure boards, employers, managed care companies, courts of law, graduate schools, and professional associations. Suggests items for collection and organization in a working portfolio and gives examples of how counselors may use these…

Outlines the accreditation standards used by one organization as the basis for the formal accreditation of college and university counseling programs throughout the United States and Canada. The standards reflect the program elements and practice standards deemed as essential in a counseling center that provides high-quality services to students.…