| Abstract: | The present Specialty Guidelines are based on the generic Standards for Providers of Psychological Services originally adopted by the American Psychological Association (APA) in September 1974 and revised in January 1977 (APA, 1974b, 1977b). Together with the generic Standards, these Specialty Guidelines state the official policy of the Association regarding delivery of services by counseling psychologists. Specialty guidelines serve the additional purpose of providing potential users and other interested groups with essential information about particular services available from the several specialties in professional psychology. The present Guidelines are intended to educate the public, the profession, and other interested parties regarding specialty professional practices. They are also intended to facilitate the continued systematic development of the profession. These Guidelines have been established by the APA as a means of self-regulation to protect the public interest. They guide the specialty practice of counseling psychology by specifying important areas of quality assurance and performance that contribute to the goal of facilitating more effective human functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
