Counselors listening in the classroom

Why Join Us?

As a counselor, you deserve a professional home where you can build community, deepen your knowledge and develop your commitment to enriching lives and contributing to societal well-being.

Throughout your professional journey, no matter your practice setting, you can rely on the American Counseling Association for guidance and support.

The Benefits of Membership

CredibilityBuild and sharpen your skills through leadership development programs.

  • Advance your knowledge and earn CEs at the Conference & Expo (spring) and Professional Practice Summit (fall).
  • Enjoy in-depth news and features about professional counseling through the award-winning Counseling Today magazine and read the latest research online in the Journal of Counseling & Development (JCD).
  • Earn continuing education (CE) credits online at your convenience, including 12 free online CE courses each year (a $299 value).
  • Find digital and print resources at member prices through the bookstore. Plus, listen to podcasts, webinars and blogs for engaging conversations on hot topics.
  • Receive discounts on malpractice  liability insurance to protect your assets and cover your expenses in the event of a claim. (Free to master’s degree students. Professionals receive a 10% discount each year – some exclusions apply.)

Practice SupportDiscover and navigate the steps to build and sustain a successful career.

  • State licensure requirements and education prerequisites, including private consultations scheduled exclusively with members.
  • Career Services Programs enable members to search job boards, post resumes, receive custom job alerts, schedule career consultations and/or resume, CV and cover letter reviews and more.
  • Ethics consultations with a staff expert are available if a challenging ethical dilemma arises — an exclusive member benefit. Guidance on setting up a private practice is available with experienced professionals.
  • Members-only savings discounts on professional malpractice liability, auto, home and personal insurance products, as well as discounts on car rentals and hotels.

Advocacy in ActionAmplify your voice on legislation and other issues impacting the profession.

  • Medicare reimbursement is now law. This law will allow over 200,000 mental health professionals to enroll as Medicare providers. Review the fact sheet on how to prepare to accept Medicare in starting in January 2024.
  • The  Counseling Compact is a contract among states allowing professional counselors licensed and residing in a Compact member state to practice in other Compact member states without the need for multiple licenses.
  • ACA’s annual Hill Day (held virtually 2020-2023) is a chance to learn how to speak with legislators and understand the ins and outs of the Washington political field. Members listen to and learn from government affairs experts on a variety of topics affecting their careers and the counseling profession.

Community ConnectionsShare your knowledge, showcase your expertise and expand your network.

  • Access ACA Connect, a private, secure space where members ask for advice, gather input on counseling-related topics, join discussions about trends or challenges and more.
  • Submit a proposal to present at a professional development event.
  • Celebrate your peers! Since 1956, our National Awards have shone a spotlight on those who go above and beyond in their commitment to the counseling profession.
  • The most significant benefit of my membership in the American Counseling Association (ACA) lies in its remarkable efforts to enhance the credibility of counselors in the field. The ACA's successful initiatives, such as advocating for counselors to be recognized as Medicare providers and working on the counseling compact, have greatly contributed to this.

    Eric Rodgers, LPC

Member Benefits

Benefits and Resources

ACA Members

Non-Members

Liability Insurance
Discounts on coverage provided by HPSO
Not eligible
Professional Development
Networking, events & opportunities to present your work
No Discounts
Licensure Resource Hub
Curated information on obtaining and maintaining licensure in your state
Not eligible
Counseling Today
Print and online access to the magazine for and about the counseling community
Limited Access or Subscribe At Cost
Continuing Education
Discounts on our full catalog, plus 12 free CEs per year
At Cost
Advocacy
In-person opportunities, resources and tool kits
Journal of Counseling & Development
Full access to ACA's flagship journal
At Cost
Career Services
Job Board, resume review, career consultations, virtual career fair, internship & supervisory leads
Access to
Job Board only
Ethics Consultations Not eligible
Books and Publications
20% discount on all ACA books
At Cost
Members-only Savings Program
Exclusive deals from our partners
Not eligible
ACA Connect Community
Not eligible
Awards and Professional RecognitionNot eligible
Benefits Navigator
Not eligible
Newsletters
Access news and information to help you learn and grow in the profession
Limited Access
Leadership Opportunities
Increase your experience and professional credibility through committee service, article submissions or volunteering
Not eligible
FEATURED PUBLICATION

Counseling Today Magazine

This award-winning text translates the theoretical foundations of solution-focused counseling.

READ THE LATEST ISSUE
Monica P. Band, EdD, LPC

MEMBER SHOWCASE

Monica P. Band, EdD, LPC

Monica P. Band, owner of Mindful Healing Counseling Services in Washington, D.C., rests her therapeutic and advocacy work at the intersection of mental health and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Read story

Contact Our Membership Team

memberservices@counseling.org