School Counseling Practice in the United States and Its Implications for Asia-Pacific Countries

School counseling in the United States has made significant progress over the last 100 years. From its initial development, which addressed the need for vocational guidance, to its current position as an integral part of a school’s curriculum, the advancement of school counseling has traveled a long and winding road as counselors searched to establish a professional identity. The development and transformation of school counseling in the United States has been influenced by a variety of factors, ranging from societal need and educational reform to Federal legislation and the development of professional organizations. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model has significantly affected school counseling, as programs strive for increased accountability and to solidify their place in the framework of the nationsssional organizationssystems. The structure of the elementary, middle, and high school programs are addressed, as are the implications of counseling programs in Asian countries.