ACA provides professional development for counselors through on-line continuing education, the annual convention, books, videotapes, journals, Counseling Today, and, of course, our website. ACA also has resources for the consumer: what is a professional counselor, who is qualified to provide counseling services, how to find a counselor, coping with crisis, helping children cope with trauma, answers to common questions about counseling, and much more.

So whether you are a consumer, graduate student, new professional, or seasoned professional counselor, ACA is your portal to the world of counseling!

Call for Nominations for Committee Appointments

ACA President-Elect Lynn Linde is seeking nominations for American Counseling Association committee appointments. She will be appointing professional members for each committee who will serve a three-year term and a student representative to each committee for a one-year term.

Positions on the following committees are available now: Awards, Branch Development, Bylaws and Policies, Ethics, Graduate Students, Human Rights, International, Interprofessional, Professional Standards, Public Awareness and Support, Public Policy and Legislation, Publications, and Research and Knowledge.

ACA members may nominate themselves or be nominated by other ACA members. Nominations are due December 1, 2008, and must be sent to ACA headquarters, c/o Holly Clubb, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304.

For more information about the nominations process, call Holly Clubb at 1-800-347-6647, ext. 212 or e-mail her at hclubb@counseling.org.

2009 Committee Nomination Packet (PDF)

'ACA Is Where You Belong' - Discover ACA Student Membership

In an effort to assist you with your student presentations, ACA has assembled the following PowerPoint presentation, "Discover ACA Student Membership". In addition to the PowerPoint presentation, we have developed "Talking Points" to assist you in your presentation.Read more...

2009 ACA National Awards Nominations

The American Counseling Association Awards Committee announces the start of the nominations process for the 2009 ACA National Awards, which will be presented at the ACA Annual Conference in Charlotte.

An ACA member may nominate of one or more ACA members who have made noteworthy contribution to the counseling profession at the local or state levels. ACA Divisions/Organizational Affiliates, Branches, Chapters, Regions, or Committees can also submit nominations. All nominations must be postmarked by October 31, 2008.

Complete information is available in the 2009 National Awards Nomination Packet. Nominations may be submitted by mail to: ACA 2009 National Awards, c/o Holly Clubb, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304-3300.

For additional information, please contact Holly Clubb athclubb@counseling.org or 800-346-6647 x212.

ACA's Taskforce on Counselor Wellness and Impairment

The Governing Council of the American Counseling Association established a Task Force on Impaired Counselors in the Spring of 2003. The creation of this task force reflects a growing awareness of impairment in the field as well as ACA's commitment to identifying and developing intervention strategies and resources to help impaired counselors. Read more...

Are You Getting The Most Bang for your Dues Buck?

There are a host of benefits and services ACA offers members. Take this quick online tour to make sure you're taking advantage of them!

'Stop Bullying Now Campaign'

ACA is once again partnering with the "Stop Bullying Now: Take a Stand; Lend a Hand" campaign, directed by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Resources about bullying and its effects on young people are available at: http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov.

VISTAS

VISTAS is an innovative publication produced by ACA as a means of capturing the ideas, information, and experiences generated by the annual ACA conventions. VISTAS Online contains the full text of all 216 articles published to date. Visit our VISTAS Online page to view these articles.

New Resource for Counselors, Students, and Parents

Terrorism, Trauma, and Tragedies: A Counselor’s Guide to Preparing and Responding, Second Edition

edited by Jane Webber, Debra D. Bass, and Richard Yep

What can you do now to be prepared for terrorist attacks? School shootings? The trauma of war? This collection of practical strategies answers these questions and is useful to all counselors—in the schools, in the workplace, and at home.

As an ACA member, you receive up to 40% off the list price on these materials. You have the convenience of ordering these materials through the toll free order number (800-422-2648) or find this book at the ACA Online Bookstore.