This book is about the interactions among economic, social, and political environments, individual behavior, policies and legislation, and the form and substance of counseling. A central premise of the book is that the U.S., like most of the nations of the world, is in transition, in which it is undergoing significant transformations in its institutions, behavioral metaphors, and psychological structures. Chapter 1, "The Context of Counseling," addresses the interaction of behavior, intervention, and context; the transactional nature of human behavior; and environmental effects on individuals. Chapter 2, "Advanced Technology: Career, Economic, Educational, and Psychological Effects," considers the interaction of science and technology and the relationships of advanced technology, the occupational structure, work, and human behavior. In Chapter 3, "The Changing American Family," changes in demographics and the family structure are related to stresses and counseling approaches. Chapter 4, "Pluralism and Cultural Diversity in the American Population," considers emerging cultural demographics, cultural diversity, and cross-cultural counseling. "Special Populations at Risk" are next: Chapter 5 discusses children and youth and Chapter 6 considers adults. Chapter 7, "Changing Concepts, Processes, and Practices of Counseling," provides an overview of the changing models and paradigms of counseling practice. Chapter 8, "Recurring and Emerging Challenges in Counseling," discusses professional identification issues and the emerging challenges of AIDS, substance abuse, and aging. Lastly, chapter 9, "Future Challenges for Counseling," provides an overview of new perspectives on the counselor's role. (EMK)