Advocate, Support & Advance Mental Health Access
Our federal advocacy focuses on ensuring that the unique needs of counselors and their clients are prioritized in the development of laws and regulations impacting the counseling profession. We actively monitor and report on legislative and regulatory developments; lobby for relevant bills; and connect lawmakers with counseling experts. By collaborating with federal legislators ACA aims to influence decision-making, promote mental health funding and advocate for policies that support counselors and the clients they serve.
2025-2026 Federal Priority Areas
Workforce Development
As the largest association of licensed professional counselors, we are dedicated to advancing the counseling profession. We advocate for policies to support counseling students, to help diversify the profession, and to ensure a sustainable career for counselors.
Accessibility
ACA is committed to accessible mental health care for all, especially those in underserved communities. A lack of parity between physical and mental healthcare also reduces accessibility by increasing costs for clients and creating an overly burdensome process for clinicians and clients.
21st Century Care
ACA is committed to ensuring clients have access to 21st Century Care. This is evidence-based care that harnesses the benefits of technology while still preserving the clinician-client relationship. 21st Century Care also includes incorporating trauma informed and culturally appropriate care.
Education Policy and Counseling
ACA is committed to expanding the counseling workforce through increased access to education and support for counseling students.
Aligned with this, we are advocating for the Department of Education (ED) to change proposed reductions to federal student loan limits for counseling students. Learn more about these proposed changes and check out our Take Action page for ways to advocate for against these restrictive loan limits.
We have also been advocating to restore counselors eligibility for hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants. We have met with congressional offices, educated congressional staffers on the essential role of counselors, submitted comments to the Department of Education and encouraged ACA members and other mental health leaders to submit their own comments. Learn more about these grants and check out our Take Action page for ways to advocate for counselors.
Contact Our Advocacy Team
2461 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 300, Alexandria, Va. 22314 | 800-347-6647 | (fax) 800-473-2329
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