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

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
What makes play therapy so effective — and different from many other counseling methods — is that it places clients in the driver’s seat. Read more in Counseling Today's September cover story.
Journal of Counseling & Development
Motivational interviewing (MI) may be a useful tool for counselors working with school children who have chronic, persistent patterns of misbehavior, suggests a new study in the October issue of the Journal of Counseling & Development. Read

Latest News

Red Cross Issues Call for Mental Health Volunteers for Florence Response

Sep 17, 2018

Although now a tropical depression, Florence has devastated the Carolinas, dumping more than 30 inches of rain in some communities, causing catastrophic flooding. More than 19,000 people are living in temporary shelters and it will be some time before they can return to their homes.
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Senate Approves Bill Expanding Training Support for School-Based Mental Health Professionals

Aug 24, 2018

A $10 million training program for school-based mental health support is included in the fiscal year 2019 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations bill that was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate on the evening of Aug. 23.
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American Counseling Association Foundation Offers Grants of Up to $500

Aug 13, 2018

The American Counseling Association Foundation is seeking proposals from American Counseling Association members for grants of up to $500. The grants are available for projects that support the mission of the American Counseling Association Foundation and 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.

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Hope in the Midst of a Crisis

Sep 20, 2018

Here in Virginia Beach, Hurricane Florence had us on pens and needles. I saw things I have never seen before, people’s homes were boarded up, a whole section from this town was ordered to evacuate, and meanwhile the grocery stores were bare.
Full story
Understanding Psychedelics and Therapy - Dose

Sep 20, 2018

Today, I’d like to broadly begin discussing the differences between how psychedelic drugs are often used recreationally compared to how they may be used therapeutically. Specifically, we’ll discuss how the concepts of set, setting, and dose play a role both in recreational use and therapeutic use.
Full story

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ACA Publications

Bookstore

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

Access Up to 24.5 CEs in 500 Sessions & 36 Tracks

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HELPFUL RESOURCES in ACA's Mental Health Center

Multicultural Issues in Counseling

VISION | OUR IMPACT

MISSION | WHAT WE DO

Spotlight

FREE CONTINUING EDUCATION

CODE OF ETHICS

ACA ADVOCACY

ACA NEWS

COUNSELING TODAY

Journal of Counseling & Development

Latest News

Red Cross Issues Call for Mental Health Volunteers for Florence Response

Senate Approves Bill Expanding Training Support for School-Based Mental Health Professionals

American Counseling Association Foundation Offers Grants of Up to $500

State Licensure & Certification Boards

Hope in the Midst of a Crisis

Understanding Psychedelics and Therapy - Dose

ACA Publications

The Counseling Dictionary, Fourth Edition

The Secrets of Exceptional Counselors

Counseling Research: A Practitioner-Scholar Approach

ACA Ethical Standards Casebook, Seventh Edition

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