Several challenges exist in the implementation of integrated care given that SUD/Addiction treatment has historically been segregated from the broader health care system (Office of the Surgeon General, 2016). One expression of the gap that persists is that for counselors who want to administer SUD/Addiction and mental health counseling, or…

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…

Certification procedures protect consumers, but when licensing institutions become monopolistic, alternative paths to credentialing need to be considered. A series of articles examine third party payments, a changing job market and consumer protection concerns, all of which have had an impact on credentialing problems. (JAC)

Presents an interview with the director of the National Board for Certified Counselors, who provides a history of the organization. He discusses his efforts in establishing unified addictions specialist credentials and offers suggestions for addiction and offender counselors seeking these credentials. He explores the pressing credentialing issues…

The Georgia Department of Education initiated a statewide effort to establish standards and procedures for certification of educational personnel based on competency demonstration. A project was commissioned to develop a performance-based system for the certification of school counselors. This article presents the premises, procedures, and…

This article updates one in the June, 1977, Personnel and Guidance Journal and focuses on the same four issues: support within the counseling profession for additional credentialing practices, professional identity, licensure as the main credentialing thrust, and development and implementation of an effective method of accrediting preparation…

Ratings of actual and ideal goals and tasks of counselor licensing boards were obtained. A sample of 237 licensing board members from states issuing licenses, certification, or registry to counselors was provided by 37 boards. Board members rated public protection goals as most frequently accomplished and public protection tasks as most…

The author discusses the government's role in counselor licensing and then presents alternative ways to license counselors. One alternative would be to have licensing tests. A second would be to abolish licensing and concentrate on improving training programs. (EJT)

Since its inception, the counseling profession has continuously developed a positive identity among the helping professions. This situation appears to be the result of advancements in counselor credentialing, improved counselor preparation standards, greater governmental and other third-party payer recognition of counselors' competencies, and more…

Counselor credentialing can be confusing to counseling students as well as counseling practitioners. There is as yet no definitive set of national standards applicable within and among states. This monograph aims to clarify the meaning, value, and drawback of various types of credentials, so as to help counselors decide which credentials are…

In January of 1994 the Addictions Training Center at the University of Nevada, Reno surveyed the treatment staff and directors at 46 publicly supported addictions training centers located in the state of Nevada. Four hundred twenty-nine surveys were mailed, and 189 were returned. In addition to demographic information, respondents were surveyed on…

Certification of professional counselors is presently viewed in two realms, that of state regulation and of national voluntary credentialing. This digest considers national voluntary certification. The first national certification began in 1972; in 1983 the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) began certification for general practice…

Couselor credentialing is a way to symbolize professionalism and high standards to the public. Its purpose is to identify counselors who are at least minimally qualified to provide counseling services. This special digest collection on credentialing counselors covers many aspects of legislation, methods, and special concerns about credentialing.…

This report describes several examples of successful academic linkages between state training offices and postsecondary institutions that result in enhanced professional development opportunities for drug abuse workers. The role of federal and state governments in drug abuse training is discussed along with several articles that are designed to…