Advocacy in Action: From Insight to Impact

Woman standing in front of capitol building

Essential training for advancing the quality of youth counseling nationwide

Advocacy—big and small— is a central part of the work of professional counselors. Through advocacy, we can create meaningful change around the issues that impact our clients, our community and our work.

Join us for five expert-led sessions that will provide you with tangible skills and knowledge to take your advocacy efforts to the next level. Whether you’re a new or experienced advocate, you’ll deepen your understanding of advocacy as a tool to be woven into everyday counseling practice.

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Series Outline

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Session 1: Everyday Advocacy: Big and Small

Presenter:
Katherine Bacon, PhD, LPC-S, NCC,
Professor, Texas A&M University-Victoria

In this session, advocacy is presented as accessible, informal, and woven into everyday counseling practice. Through case studies, participants will learn to recognize and document advocacy moments and explore strategies for building a culture of action and accountability.

Modalities

Session 2: Mapping Advocacy Pathways

Presenter:
Gabriel Lomas, PhD,
Professor, Gallaudet University

This session builds on the first session—helping participants identify where to take their advocacy efforts once they recognize them.

Professional Counseling

Session 3: Listening as an Advocacy Strategy

Presenter:
Kerri McCullough, PhD, LPC, LCPC,
Child, Adolescent and Adult Therapist, Strong Life Counseling

In this session, participants will deepen their skill-building with listening and reframing. Participants will leave this session feeling prepared for more public-facing advocacy work.

Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Session 4: Understanding How Government Works

Presenter:
Katherine Bacon, PhD, LPC-S, NCC,
Professor, Texas A&M University-Victoria

In this session, we’ll expand on advocacy readiness by demystifying government systems and showing participants where advocacy “lands.”

Modalities

Session 5: Recognizing Unexpected Advocacy Opportunities

Presenter:
Stephannee (Stef) Strandefer, PhD, LCPC,
Associate Program Director, Northwestern University

This session concludes the series by expanding participants’ vision of advocacy, preparing them to see and embrace roles they may not expect.

Registration

Participants will be required to register for the full series.

ACA Members: FREE*
Non-members: $149

*Through June 30, 2026.

Certificate and CEs

Participants can earn up 5+ CE credit hours for the full series.

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Questions?

professionaleducation@counseling.org