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 help clients recognize that grief is not reserved solely for big life events such as the loss of a partner, child or other family member, but also for ‘ordinary’ and sometimes societally unacknowledged losses. Read more in Counseling Today's May cover story.
Journal of Counseling & Development
A Native American-inspired ceremony, like those used to prepare warriors for return to village life, reduced symptoms of psychological trauma in a small group of veterans, researchers report in the April Journal of Counseling & Development. Read

Latest News

ACA Offers a Helping Hand to Members Affected by the Argosy Closing

Mar 14, 2019

The American Counseling Association supports its members in many ways—and is pleased to be able to offer a helping hand to ACA members affected by the recent closing of the 22 Argosy campuses nationwide.
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Congratulations to the 2019 ACA National Award Winners!

Feb 28, 2019

The American Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association Foundation are pleased to announce the 72 winners of the annual ACA National Awards for counseling students, counselors in practice and ACA members who have made extraordinary contributions to the counseling profession.
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ACA Announces President-Elect for 2019-2020

Feb 12, 2019

Sue Pressman, nationally recognized as one of the country’s leading career management and transition experts, has been named President-Elect of the American Counseling Association (ACA) for 2019-2020. She will begin her term as ACA President-Elect on July 1, 2019, and will begin serving as American Counseling Association 69th President on July 1, 2020.
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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

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Acupressure, Meridians and “Tapping”

May 20, 2019

The Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP; energypsych.org) categorizes energy therapies by the energy systems of the body: chakras, meridians and biofield (aura). In another blog, we will review the chakras and biofield; this post will provide an overview of the meridians.
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#FOMO

May 16, 2019

Ever thought about who invented FOMO? Personally, I never really did. It just wasn’t a thing and then it was a thing and I never really questioned it. Kind of assumed it was some trendy teenager that came up with the term. But it wasn’t. The term FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) was invented by Harvard MBA graduate Patrick J. McGinnisto to assist in business decision making (man did that intention go awry).
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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