Perry Blair, LPCC-S, NCC

Candidate Statement:

I am seeking to serve on the American Counseling Association Board of Directors to advance the counseling profession through service, advocacy, and intentional leadership. My professional journey as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-Supervisor, educator, and organizational leader has been grounded in a commitment to ensuring that counselors are supported, heard, and equipped to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve. It is my belief that leadership is an act of service—and that in our profession, love must show up in how we lead, collaborate, and advocate. My vision for service on the Board is to help strengthen ACA’s strategic impact by prioritizing member engagement, leadership development, and equitable access to professional resources. Having served in multiple elected roles, including President of the Kentucky Counseling Association and ACA Southern Region Chair, I understand the importance of building strong, connected systems that amplify the voices of counselors across all regions and specialties. I also bring experience in governance through my work on the ACA Bylaws Committee, ensuring organizational decisions align with mission and sustainability. I am committed to fiscal responsibility, ethical leadership, and transparent decision-making that reflects the trust placed in us by ACA members. I believe in fostering collaboration, supporting emerging leaders, and advocating for policies that strengthen counselor identity and profession. ACA has played a significant role in my professional development, and I have demonstrated my commitment by actively engaging at every level, including attending Southern Region conferences in each branch during my leadership tenure. I am prepared to continue serving as a resolute ambassador for ACA’s mission and to help guide the organization with integrity, compassion, and purpose.

Candidate Biography:

Perry L. Blair, MEd, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-Supervisor in Kentucky, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Indiana, and a National Certified Counselor. He is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of the Cumberlands, where his research focuses on the experiences of BIPOC clergy responding to psychological and spiritual distress following the COVID-19 pandemic.  Perry is the owner of Crimson Dove Counseling Services, where he provides therapeutic services to individuals, families, and couples, with specialties in trauma-informed care, substance use, and child and family counseling. He is also the owner of Crimson Dove ABI providing residential and rehabilitative therapies to adults with acquired brain injuries. In addition to his clinical work, he has served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University Southeast, where he has taught and mentored future counselors in areas including counseling techniques, ethics, and mental health practice.  A dedicated leader within the counseling profession, Perry has served as President of the Kentucky Counseling Association, Advocacy Committee Chair and the Child and Adolescent Counseling Director of the Indiana Counseling Association, and as Chair of the Southern Region of the American Counseling Association. Perry also serves on the ACA Bylaws Committee. He has remained actively engaged at all levels of the profession, including consistent participation in regional conferences and leadership development initiatives.  Perry’s work is rooted in the belief that leadership is service and that “love shows up” in how we support, advocate, and lead others. He is committed to advancing equity, strengthening counselor identity, and creating meaningful opportunities for connection and growth within the profession. This commitment earned him the Tim Robertson Advocacy Award from the Kentucky Counseling Association.  Perry will bring integrity, compassion, and a collaborative spirit to his leadership, along with a dedication to advancing and supporting the counseling profession.