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 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
  • Jan 2019 CT Cover

    COUNSELING TODAY

    What can counselors do to help their clients (and themselves) gain confidence in their abilities to bounce back from tough circumstances rather than feeling defeated by life? Read more in Counseling Today's January cover story.

  • Journal of Counseling & Development

    People choosing a counselor prefer those who say they are “board-certified” and possess multiple specialties, suggests a new study in the January 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.

Free CE

BetterHelp Online Therapy

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  • A Graduate Student’s Guide to Practicum and Internship

    Jan 15, 2019
    Congratulations! You have mastered the core coursework in your counseling program in preparation to begin your clinical experience. Whether you are entering this step of graduate coursework or looking ahead for what is to come, this post is intended to provide you with a roadmap to achieving a valuable and enriching clinical experience.
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  • Marketing Your Counseling Practice in 2018 (Everything We Knew Is Wrong!)

    Jan 15, 2019
    When I considered devoting this month’s blog to the topic of marketing a counseling practice, my first thought was that I’ve covered this topic before (last time in 2016) and what could really have changed between now and then? As I reviewed some of my old writings, I realized much has changed. So very much. This month, I present to you a few of the more significant changes
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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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