2010

A review of the history of the counseling profession reveals a strong professional history of advocacy (Toporek, Lewis, & Crethar, 2009). Although numerous significant individuals have engaged in advocacy work, it has only been embraced as an essential element of the profession in recent years. An increased emphasis on advocacy is evident through professional literature and program offerings at conferences. With this increased emphasis came the acknowledgement of American Counseling Association (ACA) leaders that many counselors do not possess the skills necessary to engage effectively in the work (Goodman, 2009). This acknowledgement resulted in a task force charged with developing the ACA Advocacy Competencies to identify the specific knowledge and skills necessary to equip professionals to serve in the role of advocates (Lewis, Arnold, House, & Toporek, 2002).