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
By sensitively — yet straightforwardly — addressing the topic of suicide, counselors can encourage clients to open up about an issue that too often remains shrouded in shame and stigma. Read more in Counseling Today's September cover story.
Journal of Counseling & Development
Although working long hours is often praised and encouraged, work addiction is increasingly recognized worldwide as a cause of stress, burnout, loneliness and low life satisfaction among high-performing professionals. This timely research is detailed in the October issue of the Journal of Counseling & Development. Read

Latest News

ACA Co-Hosts the Asia Pacific Rim Confederation of Counsellors Conference

Aug 23, 2019

The American Counseling Association, in partnership with the Australian Counselling Association and the Asia Pacific Rim Confederation of Counsellors, is co-hosting the sixth Asia Pacific Rim Confederation of Counsellors Conference.
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Statement from the American Counseling Association on our National Crisis of Gun Violence

Aug 09, 2019
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Heather Trepal Begins Term as 68th President of the American Counseling Association

Jul 01, 2019

Heather Trepal, Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Approved Supervisor (LPC-S, Texas), is the 68th president of the American Counseling Association.
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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

The Wound All Male Adolescents Share

Sep 20, 2019

As a researcher and facilitator of male adolescents; it’s a fact that all boys have a wound; it’s a “father wound,” whether systemically, emotionally or physically absent, it’s the greatest wound a boy can carry.
Full story
“Navigating Counseling Conferences as an Introvert”

Sep 18, 2019

If you are an introvert (like myself), you might also have a challenging time navigating counseling conferences (particularly those as large in number as the annual ACA conference). While being amongst our colleagues and learning information may be exciting, conferencing requires a LOT of energy.
Full story

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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