Dilani M. Perera, PhD, LPC, LADC, NCC, MAC, BC-TMH

Candidate Statement:

My motivation to serve on the ACA Board of Directors stems from my long-standing relationship with ACA and the many benefits I have received from its resources, community, and vision. As a member since 1996, my long-term involvement and experience as a counselor, educator, and leader uniquely positions me to contribute meaningfully to the Board. The current leadership’s commitment to expanding access to mental health services through education, collaboration, and advocacy resonates with my own values and aspirations. I am inspired to pay forward by serving on the ACA Board to advance this shared mission and to support innovative approaches that strengthen the counseling profession. If elected, my vision is to expand advocacy efforts at the national level, support state branches in legislative reform, and elevate the voice of counselors in public policy discussions. I am committed to fostering collaboration across organizations and ensuring that diverse perspectives inform our work. I bring a solutions-focused mindset and a deep respect for the profession. I am collaborative and team-orientated with the ability to be objective and to maintain composure during discussions. I am also able to function independently and adapt when needed. With the servant-leader mindset, I am interested in hearing about your professional needs and look forward to meeting you at the ACA conference. Advocacy is central to my professional identity and directly informs my work. Recently, I supported this commitment by writing to legislators about issues impacting our profession and encouraging colleagues and students to do the same. I strive to advance policies that protect clients, increase regulations that allow more access to counseling, and promote and strengthen the counseling profession. My experience in multiple states has underscored the importance of aligning licensure standards with rigorous training to ensure ethical, competent care that builds public trust in the counseling profession.

Candidate Biography:

Hello! I am Dilani Perera, a naturalized immigrant from Sri Lanka. I am bi-lingual in English and Sinhala. I enjoy spending my free time with my family and pets (three cats and a dog), traveling, and gardening.     Currently, I am a tenured Professor of Counselor Education at Fairfield University. I earned my Ph.D. in Counselor Education from The University of Toledo. I am a licensed Professional Counselor and Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Connecticut and have previously held comparable licenses in Ohio and Texas. I also held a provisional school counseling license in Ohio. Additionally, I am credentialed as a National Certified Counselor, Master Addictions Counselor, and Board Certified Telemental Health Provider. My clinical experience involves working with individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions in correctional, inpatient, and outpatient settings. I have been a member of the ACA since 1996 and am actively involved in other national, regional, and state professional counseling associations. I served as President of the International Association for Addiction and Offender Counseling from 2024 to 2025 and as President of the Connecticut Association for Counselor Education and Supervision from 2021 to 2022. I have also served on conference planning committees for North Atlantic Regional Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and the Connecticut Counseling Association. I have presented internationally, nationally, and locally and have authored 50+ publications on topics related to counselor education. I am privileged to have received the Research and Writing Award from the Ohio Counseling Association in 2012 and the JoAnne Stein Award for Service from the Connecticut Counseling Association in 2022. I was also honored with the 2024 Alpha Sigma Nu Graduate Teacher of the Year Award at Fairfield University. I look forward to serving you!