Using qualitative content analysis (Cohen et al., 2007), we examined the expectations of states in the United States regarding program evaluation content for school counselor licensure. Results show that 43 states maintain some form of program evaluation expectations for licensure, up from the 19 identified by Trevisan (2000). Twenty-eight states…

Although professional counseling licensure portability has been a topic of interest for many years, limited empirical research has been conducted to examine state requirements to become a licensed professional counselor. To bridge this gap, state counseling license applications, including the District of Columbia, were investigated using…

The American counseling field has reached most credentials, which are expected from a profession. The current standards in the United States provide safe counseling environment for clients and protect counselors' rights. Understanding the developments and key points of historical procedures could help international researchers to contribute the…

Many professional counseling organizations act to strengthen counselor professional identity to achieve parity for counselors. However, independently licensed counselors often identify themselves as "therapists" or "psychotherapists" as a means of helping others understand their occupational role and establishing their…

The authors offer an analysis of current challenges and opportunities regarding the long-standing issue about the quality and status of master's education relevant to training and practice in counseling psychology. Highlighted are historical context, controversies regarding licensure and accreditation (e.g., the 2009 Council for Accreditation…

This is a descriptive study of Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification data related to ethical complaints and violations from 1993 to 2006. The authors reviewed complaints filed against certified rehabilitation counselors involving rules from the pre-2001 Code of Ethics and standards in the current code and analyzed the ensuing…

Today, the decision to prepare clinical case material for publication is a decision that cannot be taken lightly. The decision involves reviewing ethical considerations and choosing among various options to safeguard client privacy. Such options include seeking the client's permission, disguising case material, and developing composite case…

Professional counselors and counselors-in-training continue to serve clients who have substance abuse issues, yet systematic training in substance abuse counseling is not available to many counselors. The authors investigated the extent to which students in programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational…

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…

The problems involved with the issue of accreditation for counselor education programs are discussed. The lack of progress in this area is partly due to the diverse committees and a lack of communications among them. Some suggestions for resolving the situation are given. (CG)

Explores issues related to school counselor certification and supervision. Recommends actions to clarify the professional identity of school counselors and contribute to appropriate definitions and descriptions of counselor supervision. (Author)

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)

Reviews the lessons learned by professional psychology when it adopted the strategy of statutory regulation, freedom of choice, control of its own training and its national organization, and future strategies for Medicare and eventually for the enactment of universal health care. Claims these lessons are important to the professions following…

Counselor education, through its formal organization (ACES), is in the process of examining its standards for program accreditation used for the past decade. This discussion examines current educational forces, as a basis for a new look at the standards for counselor preparation. Outcomes of counselor education should be considered in performance…

Asserts that, since most states now have counselor licensure, the National Board for Certified Counselors and the National certification process itself may be obsolete. Authors question whether the National Counselor Exam differentiates between effective and ineffective counselors and question why only 8% of American Counseling Association members…