Organization of School Counseling

The State of Illinois, ISCA, and ASCA set forth several standards and competencies for School Counselors. These standards and competencies outline the Knowledge, Abilities and Skills, and Attitudes that are expected of School Counselors within School counseling programs in the domains of Foundation, Delivery, Management, Accountability, and Ethics.

As the world's largest association representing professional counselors in various practice settings, the American Counseling Association stands ready to serve more than 55,000 members with the resources they need to make a difference. From webinars, publications, and journals to Conference education sessions and legislative action alerts, ACA is where counseling professionals turn for powerful, credible content and support.

The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA is the world's largest association of psychologists, with nearly 130,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students as its members.

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, career and social/emotional development so they achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. ASCA provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to professional school counselors around the globe

ACAC is a support and information network for counselors who work with children and adolescents. ACAC supports counselors working with children and adolescents from birth through adolescent. The breadth of this developmental range offers its own unique experiences and challenges. ACAC serves to bring a community of counselors together who strive to offer best practices to this underserved and distinct population.

Mission: To enhance the quality of life for children and adolescents by promoting the development of professional counselors in this area, advancing the counseling profession by promoting training specific to the needs of children and adolescents, and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect and understanding of child and adolescent mental health issues. Vision: To provide opportunities for Child and Adolescent Counselors to learn about mental health, network with one another, and contribute through their work and volunteer efforts to the mental wellness of children and adolescents in Illinois.

ISCA-chartered in 1958 as a division of the Illinois Guidance and Personnel Association now known as the Illinois Counseling Association. ISCA is a branch of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as well as a division of the Illinois branch of the American Counseling Association. Membership is approximately 900 school counselors across the state of Illinois.

Psych Central is the Internet’s largest and oldest independent mental health social network. Psych Central provides mental health information as well as annotated guides to the most useful online resources today in mental health, psychology, social work, and psychiatry.