Governing Council
| ACA President Elsa Soto Leggett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, C Truman State University Term Ends 6/30/2026 | Association for Humanistic Counseling (AHC) Amanda M. Evans, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS James Madison University Term Ends 6/30/2026 | National Career Development Association (NCDA) Kathy M. Evans, PhD, LPC, CCC University of South Carolina Term Ends 6/30/2026
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| ACA President Elect Victoria Kress, PhD, LPCC-S, NCC Youngstown State University Term Ends 6/30/2026 | Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) Angela Coker, PhD, LPCC (CA), LPC San Diego State University Term Ends 6/30/2027 | National Employment Counseling Association (NECA) C. Katherine DeStefano, PhD New Horizons Counseling Services, Inc Term Ends 6/30/2027
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| ACA Immediate Past President Christine Suniti Bhat, PhD, LPC, LSC, OH Ohio University Term Ends 6/30/2026 | American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA) Michael Todd Hartley, PhD University of Arizona Term Ends 6/30/2027 | Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE) Michael P. Chaney, Jr., PhD, LPC, ACS Oakland University Term Ends 6/30/2027 |
ACA Treasurer Kathy Ybañez-Llorente, Ph.D. Texas State University Term Ends 6/30/2026 | Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC) Craig Scott Cashwell, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS Clemson University Term Ends 6/30/2027 | Midwest Region Rebecca L. Christiansen, LPC-MH, NCC The Support Circle Term Ends 6/30/2028 |
Association for Adult Development and Aging Representative (AADA) John C. Nance, PhD, LCMHC-S, NCC, ACS University of North Carolina - Charlotte Term Ends 6/30/2026 | Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) Devika Dibya Choudhuri, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS Eastern Michigan University Term Ends 6/30/2026 | North Atlantic Region Elizabeth Boyer Fier, MA, LPC, NCC SEED Services: Partners for Counseling & Wellness Term Ends 6/30/2028 |
Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC) Casey A. Barrio Minton, PhD, NCC University of Tennessee, Knoxville Term Ends 6/30/2026 | Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) Lauren Shure, PhD Barry University Term Ends 6/30/2027 | Southern Region BJ Broadan Barksdale, MEd, NCC, LPC-S Boys and Girls Country Term Ends 6/30/2026 |
Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC) Emily Goodman-Scott, PhD, LPC, NCC, NCSC Old Dominion University Term Ends 6/30/2028 | International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC) Angie D. Cartwright, PhD, LPC-S, LSOTP, N University of North Texas Term Ends 6/30/2026 | Western Region Amanda C. DeDiego, PhD, LPC, NCC, BC-TM University of Wyoming Term Ends 6/30/2027 |
Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC) Ruth Ouzts Moore PhD, LPC, NCC The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Term Ends 6/30/2028 | International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC) Mark A. Saunders, Sr, PhD LMFT LPC Wellspring of Hope Counseling Term Ends 6/30/2027 | Graduate Student Representative Jackeline Grapa Palo Alto University Term Ends 6/30/2027 |
American College Counseling Association (ACCA) Raime Thibodeaux, LPC-S, NCC Louisiana State Univeristy Term Ends 6/30/2028 | International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling (IARTC) Latoya A. Haynes-Thoby, PhD, LMHC, LCSW, RPT-S University of Connecticut Term Ends 6/30/2028 | Parliamentarian Katherine M. Bacon, PhD, LPC-S, NCC University of Houston Victoria at Katy Term Ends 6/30/2026 |
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Mariaimee Gonzalez, PhD, LMHC, LPC University of Missouri-Saint Louis Term Ends 6/30/2028 | Military and Government Counseling Association (MGCA) Duane K. L. France, MA, MBA, LPC Policy Research Associates , and Head Space and Timing Term Ends 6/30/2028 | Process Observer Stacey Diane Arañez Litam, PhD, LPCC-s, NCC, CCMHC Cleveland State University Term Ends 6/30/2026 |
| Association of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness (ACSSW) Angela Schubert, PhD, LPC, NCC, BC-TM Central Methodist University Term Ends 6/30/2026 |
From the President
Counselors can shape the profession’s future by uniting with purpose and passion.
Gratitude, Reflection and Progress
Looking back on a year of growth, supported by dedicated leaders, counselors and staff.
From free member resources to upcoming events and initiatives, discover opportunities to grow professionally.
Legislative Advocacy Is Vital to the Future of Counseling
As we look to the future, I am hopeful that our collective altruism can transform our profession powerfully while retaining that quintessential element of counseling: human connection. Thank you for all you do and have a fantastic 2025!
Addressing the Mental Health of Children and Youth
The ACA president elaborates on her presidential initiative to improve the mental health of children and youth.
Meet Christine Suniti Bhat, the 73rd president of ACA, and learn about her presidential initiatives for the upcoming year.
From the President: A Clear Vision Forward
ACA’s new strategic plan aligns with its visions and goals for moving the association and profession forward.
From the President: The Land on Which We Stand
Land acknowledgments are an opportunity to offer healing through honoring lived experiences, understanding the impact of colonization and balancing mourning with celebration of life.
From the President: Recent decisions regarding ACA’s governance and leadership
ACA President Edil Torres Rivera provides an update on ACA leadership and the recent decision to reorganize the Governing Council.
From the President: Recovering historical memory
Professional counselors ... seek to empower individuals and communities to challenge and transform the systems and structures perpetuating violence and inequality.
From the President: Decolonizing and reshaping the profession
The decoloniality process will allow counselors to reshape their professional identity and become more effective in their areas of specialty.
From the President: Building new partnerships
The ACA president emphasizes the need to build mutually beneficial relationships with other organizations that promote mental health, and he provides an update on the Governing Council meeting happening this month.
From the President: Creating change through dialogue
The ACA President discusses how counselors can foster more open, honest dialogue with their clients and themselves.
From the President: Creating change within the profession
The 72nd president of the American Counseling Association introduces himself to members and outlines his initiatives for the year.
Contact the Governing Council
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