Counseling Psychology Licensure in Taiwan: Development, Challenges, and Opportunities

The development and consequences of licensure for counseling psychologists in Taiwan are presented to promote cross-cultural awareness surrounding issues in the counseling psychology profession. The national licensure statute for counseling psychologists in Taiwan was established by the Taiwanese Legislature in 2001. While the licensing system marked an important milestone, it also brought forth a number of internal and external conflicts to the counseling psychology profession in Taiwan. The paper consists of four parts. First, it introduces the development of the Counseling Psychology profession and licensure in Taiwan. Second, challenges triggered by the statute of counseling psychologists are considered. Third, the profession's strategic response to these challenges is addressed. Finally, the profession's ongoing post-licensure development is presented. We hope this article facilitates further exchanges of initiatives undertaken by international colleagues to consolidate the ethical practice of the Counseling Psychology profession in different parts of the world.