counseling.orgAmerican Counseling Association - Home for professional counseling

Store Connect My ACA Welcome My Account Logout Login Learn About Counseling What Is Counseling? Mental Health Awareness Month Counselor Stories Counseling Impact Provider Directories Counseling Corner Membership Join Now Value of Membership Membership Tiers Awards Advocacy About Our Advocacy Federal & State Issues Medicare Coverage for Counseling Counseling Compact Take Action Advocacy Resources Events & Education Events Annual Conference Continuing Education Publications & News About Our Publications Books Counseling Journals Journal of Counseling & Development The Career Development Quarterly Counselor Education and Supervision Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling Journal of Employment Counseling The Journal of Humanistic Counseling The Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development Counseling Today Magazine Media Center Resources Ethics Topics Professional Counseling Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment Cultural Identities, Multiculturalism & Diversity Special Considerations Modalities Licensure Requirements Practice Briefs Research & Reports Competencies Career Center About ACA Who We Are Meet Our Staff Leadership & Governance Divisions, Regions and Branches Strategic Plan Values & Statements ACA Foundation Work at ACA! We are the home for professional counseling. Advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, community, inclusion and research. Learn more about our mission 2025 Annual Conference Share your expertise and knowledge. Submit a session proposal. Counseling Workforce Survey Hear about key trends, challenges and areas of opportunity facing counselors and the profession. What is the Counseling Compact? The Counseling Compact is an agreement among states to legislatively recognize other states’ counseling licenses. » Learn more about the Compact Latest Update: Arizona Becomes 34th State to Sign Interstate Counseling Compact into Law Apr 3, 2024 Track Our Progress & Learn More FEATURED PUBLICATION DSM-5-TR Learning Companion for Counselors This updated learning companion is designed to assist professional counselors with a smooth transition from the DSM-5 to the DSM-5-TR. READ MORE Latest News Professional Counselors Love Their Work, But Not Their Earnings May 9, 2024 | 3 min read American Counseling Association survey reveals counselors’ concerns about income, education costs and professional support. ACA CEO Testifies on Need for Improved Mental Health Care for Black Men and Boys May 1, 2024 | 3 min read Today, ACA CEO Shawn Boynes, FASAE, CAE, testified at a congressional hearing about the role counselors can play in providing support for Black men and boys and dismantling stigma around mental health concerns. ACA Applauds the White House Agenda on Suicide Prevention Apr 25, 2024 | 2 min read The American Counseling Association applauds the Biden Harris Administration for a historic move in mental health advocacy and public policythe 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the Federal Action Plan. Arizona Becomes 34th State to Sign Interstate Counseling Compact into Law Apr 3, 2024 | 2 min read The dream of many licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines continues to move forward with Governor Katie Hobbs signing into law her state’s Counseling Compact legislation. Counseling Awareness Month Honors Professionals Who Foster Mental Health and Wellness Apr 1, 2024 | 3 min read The American Counseling Association celebrates the field’s role in debunking mental illness stigma and providing care. ACA Awards Recognize Achievement and Excellence in Professional Counseling Mar 27, 2024 | 3 min read Each year, the American Counseling Association recognizes excellence in research, career and humanitarian achievement among counseling professionals and students. This year’s awards will be presented at ACA’s 2024 Conference & Expo in New Orleans. Biden Administration Proposes Increased Funding for Mental Health Services Mar 20, 2024 | 3 min read The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans by providing for effective health and human services Health Resources and Services Administration FY2025 Proposed Budget Mar 15, 2024 | 2 min read This week, the White House released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 proposed annual budget. On Wednesday, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) held a briefing that outlines the agency’s plan to tackle the mental health crisis ... Department of Education FY2025 Proposed Budget Mar 13, 2024 | 1 min read On March 11, 2024, the Department of Education (DOE) held a briefing detailing the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget. The DOE requests $82.4 billion in discretionary budget authority for FY2025, President Biden Highlights Mental Health Care in the State of the Union Mar 11, 2024 | 2 min read During the 2024 State of the Union address, President Biden made mention of mental health care. In his comments, the President unveiled elements of his administration’s strategy to address a mental health crisis of isolation and loneliness. College Students Appear Resistant to Using 988 Crisis Phone Line Feb 22, 2024 | 3 min read The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched across the U.S. nearly 2 years ago. But college students appear disinclined to use it, according to new research published in the Journal of Addiction & Offender Counseling The White House Convening on Equity Feb 21, 2024 | 2 min read The White House held a forum on the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication toward advancing equity. One year after President Biden signed the Executive Order, the Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. South Dakota Becomes Thirty-Third State to Sign Interstate Counseling Compact into Law Feb 14, 2024 | 2 min read The dream of many licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines continues to move forward with Governor Kristi Noem signing into law her state’s Counseling Compact legislation. AI Can Support — But Not Replace — Human Counselors, According to New Recommendations Jan 25, 2024 | 4 min read Artificial intelligence (AI) shows promise as a valuable support tool but the American Counseling Association (ACA) warns that consumers should not use AI as a substitute for a human counselor. Administration Announces New Program: the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model Jan 19, 2024 | 1 min read On Thursday January 18, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) held a behavioral health stakeholder meeting... The House and Senate Vote to Pass Temporary Extensions on Government Funding Jan 19, 2024 | 2 min read On Thursday January 18, 2024, the Senate and House passed the continuing resolution (CR), the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of 2024, that provides short term government funding through March 1, 2024. New Jersey Becomes Thirty-Second State to Sign Interstate Counseling Compact into Law Jan 17, 2024 | 2 min read The dream of many licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines continues to move forward with Governor Phil Murphy signing into law his state’s Counseling Compact legislation. Passage of the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act Could Benefit Licensed Professional Counselors Dec 14, 2023 | 2 min read The Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) are rates set by statute and formula. Physicians and some practitioners are paid the full fee schedule amount ... while other non-physician practitioners are paid a percentage of the fee schedule amount. Government Affairs December 2023 Updates Dec 13, 2023 | 4 min read Medicare UpdateThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are currently accepting applications for any counselors interested in becoming a Medicare provider. DC Mayor Signs Bill Offering Financial Assistance...