[Page 902]According to the American Counseling Association, counseling is defined as a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. Counselors work with individuals, couples, families, and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health across the lifespan. The skills and abilities expected of counselors include understanding and conveying information to others (active listening), inductive and deductive reasoning for certain problems (critical thinking), and a personal disposition to actively look for ways to help people. In sum, counselors should be able to communicate effectively, listen empathically, and think rationally. This entry focuses on counseling education and the accreditation of such educational programs, the positions those with a counseling degree can hold, and professional behavior considerations ...