Kristopher M. Goodrich, PhD, NCC, ACS, LPCC (NM)

Candidate Statement:

I am seeking election to the ACA Board of Directors because I believe deeply in the Association’s mission to advance professional counseling and to serve the diverse needs of counselors and the communities we support. At this moment of rapid change—socially, politically, and within the profession—ACA’s role as an advocate, convener, and ethical leader has never been more essential. I am motivated to help guide this work with clarity, inclusivity, and purpose. My professional career has provided opportunities to engage counseling across multiple roles and systems. I began as a counselor in a community agency, where I experienced firsthand the realities of direct service, interdisciplinary collaboration, workforce strain, and the impact of public policy on counselors and clients. These experiences give me a holistic understanding of the counseling profession across practice, education, and leadership contexts.  I also bring leadership experience at both the state and national levels. As Past President of the New Mexico Counseling Association, I worked within a small state association and gained valuable insight into issues related to advocacy capacity, member engagement, and sustainability. My national service with ACES and SAIGE has further allowed me to represent larger divisions focused on counselor education, supervision, professional identity, and social justice.  If elected, my priorities would be to: (1) strengthen advocacy efforts that advance access to counseling services and protect the counseling profession; (2) support professional excellence through a sustainable and inclusive counselor pipeline grounded in education, supervision, and workforce development; and (3) ensure that equity, access, and cultural responsiveness remain embedded in ACA’s decision making, governance, and strategic initiatives. I am committed to transparent, member‑centered leadership and to helping ACA continue to thrive in service of counselors and the communities we serve.

Candidate Biography:

Kristopher M. Goodrich, PhD, NCC, ACS, LPCC, is Dean and Professor of Counselor Education at the University of New Mexico. He is a National Certified Counselor, an Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the State of New Mexico. His professional career reflects a sustained commitment to counseling practice, counselor education, leadership, and professional service.  Dr. Goodrich began his career as a counselor in a community agency, an experience that continues to ground his work in advocacy, ethical practice, and access to quality mental health services. As an educator and academic administrator, he has taught, supervised, and mentored counselors at various stages of professional development, while also providing leadership in program administration and institutional governance.  He has held numerous leadership roles at the state and national levels, including Past President of the New Mexico Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE). He also previously served as Editor of The Journal for Specialists in Group Work. His leadership experience spans both large and small professional organizations, providing him with broad insight into governance, advocacy, and member engagement.  Dr. Goodrich is a Fellow of the American Counseling Association and the Association for Specialists in Group Work. He has published three books, just under 80 peer‑reviewed journal articles, and numerous book chapters. His scholarly interests include counselor education and supervision, group work, leadership, and social justice in counseling.