The American Counseling Association is the world's largest organization representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Learn more about counseling.

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, 2018 - 2021

Our plan to address critical and strategic issues facing the profession over four years.

VISION | OUR IMPACT

Every person has access to quality professional counseling to thrive.

MISSION | WHAT WE DO

Promote the professional development of counselors, advocate for the profession, and ensure ethical, culturally-inclusive practices that protect those using counseling services.

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Spotlight

FREE CONTINUING EDUCATION
ACA members get free continuing education in 12 free annual online courses (a $264 value). Find out what we're offering this month.
CODE OF ETHICS
Find the tools needed to ensure compliance with the ethical standards of the counseling profession. Read
ACA ADVOCACY
Stay up-to-date on legislative news, policy updates and timely announcements that affect the counseling profession. Read
ACA NEWS
Get quick access to the latest in counseling in our two, bi-weekly newsletters, Counseling Insider and Member Minute (members only), industry news updates and our three blogs. Read
COUNSELING TODAY
Counselors can serve as a steadying presence as individuals, families and caregivers confront the array of challenges and intense emotions that follow an Alzheimer’s disease or dementia diagnosis. Read more in Counseling Today's January cover story, "Dealing with the realities of dementia."
Journal of Counseling & Development
Building self-regulation skills may help clients with addictions reduce or avoid painful relapses. Researchers share new insights in the January issue of the Journal of Counseling & Development. Read

Latest News

ACA Celebrates The Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 Reaching 100 Bipartisan Cosponsors

Dec 10, 2019
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ACA Announces Support for Bill to Strengthen Career Counseling in Middle and High Schools

Nov 15, 2019
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Legislation for Licensed Professional Counselors in Michigan Signed Into Law

Oct 30, 2019

HB 4325 clarifies that counselors can continue to diagnose and offer psychotherapy
Read More

State Licensure & Certification Boards

Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) provide mental health and substance abuse care to millions of Americans. LPCs are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Find the licensure board in your state.

BetterHelp Online Therapy

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Experiencing Microaggressions in Academia

Jan 22, 2020

Racial microaggressions are defined as “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people of color” (Sue et al., 2007, p. 271).
Full story
2020 National Career Development Summit

Jan 22, 2020
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ACA Publications

Bookstore

Wellness Counseling

Jonathan H. Ohrt, Philip B. Clarke, and Abigail H. Conley

This innovative text presents a comprehensive review of the theoretical and empirical support for a wellness approach to counseling.... Learn More
The Counselor and the Law, Eighth Edition

Anne Marie "Nancy" Wheeler and Burt Bertram

This eighth edition provides a current and comprehensive discussion of counselors' legal and ethical responsibilities.... Learn More
Choosing the Right Counselor for You

Samuel T. Gladding and Kevin G. Alderson

This concise guide is for individuals seeking a counselor for themselves or others. It contains a treasure trove of information.... Learn More
The Counseling Dictionary, Fourth Edition

Samuel T. Gladding

Even more comprehensive than previous editions, the 4th edition of The Counseling Dictionary fills an important void in the counseling field.... Learn More
The Secrets of Exceptional Counselors

Jeffrey A. Kottler

Every profession has trade secrets that are passed on from one generation to the next and counseling is no exception.... Learn More
Counseling Research: A Practitioner-Scholar Approach

Richard S. Balkin and David M. Kleist

This introductory text for counselors-in-training and emerging researchers focuses on research methodology, design, measurement, and evaluation.... Learn More
ACA Ethical Standards Casebook, Seventh Edition

Barbara Herlihy and Gerald Corey

The seventh edition of this top-selling text provides a comprehensive resource for understanding the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics and applying its principles to daily practice.... Learn More