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 Ce icon

    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. 
  • Ethics icon

    CODE OF ETHICS

    Find the tools needed to ensure compliance with the ethical standards of the counseling profession. Read
  • ACA Gov affairs Icon

    ACA ADVOCACY 

    Stay up-to-date on legislative news, policy updates and timely announcements that affect the counseling profession. Read
  • ACA News Icon

    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
  • CT_October_2018_Cover

    COUNSELING TODAY

    As debate continues concerning the root causes of the nation’s suicide rate and opioid epidemic, counselors are trying to help clients persevere through various forms of psychological distress. Read more in Counseling Today's October 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

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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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  • When did our work become partisan?

    Oct 18, 2018
    It’s arguable about how old I was when I entered the field of human services but I was doing state and national conference lectures and meeting with high powered politicians since I was 16. Life was much different then, in so many ways.
    Full story

  • Surviving and Thriving at Conferences

    Oct 18, 2018
    Attending a conference, especially if it is your first one, can be very scary. However, it is almost essential to any graduate student or postgraduate student to stay current and up-to-date with the latest research and professional issues of the counseling field. If you are currently planning to attend a conference or the thought of going to a conference increases your stress, then this post is here to offer support.
    Full story
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ACA Publications

Bookstore
  • The Counseling Dictionary, Fourth Edition

    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

    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

    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

    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

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American Counseling Association

  • 6101 Stevenson Ave, Suite 600. Alexandria, VA 22304
  • 800-347-6647 | 800-473-2329 (fax)
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  • All Rights Reserved.