Press Release

Press Release

M. Elsa Soto Leggett Begins Term as American Counseling Association President

Elsa Soto Leggett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, professor and practicum/internship coordinator at Truman State University and sole proprietor of Shelter Counseling and Supervision, began her term as ACA 2025–2026 president on July 1.

Latest News


  • ACA to Sponsor International School Counselor Study
    Jan 3, 2017|1 min read

    Conducted by the RH Fredrickson Center for School Counseling Outcome Research (CSCORE) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the research will explore commonalities and differences in the activities of school counselors around the world with ...

  • ACA Contributes to Thrive Global
    Jan 3, 2017|1 min read

    The mission of Thrive Global, a well-being and productivity platform, is to end the stress and burnout epidemic by offering companies and individuals sustainable, science-based solutions to enhance both well-being and performance.

  • ACA Celebrates the Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2016
    Dec 21, 2016|1 min read

    On December 16, 2016, President Obama signed H.R. 6416, which authorized the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) who have a doctoral degree. ACA and its members have advocated for this specific issue for ...

Media Mentions


Protecting Kids and Teens on TikTok

Aired September 25, 2025 on Spectrum News Columbus

More should be done to combat the dark side of social media that can endanger kids and teenagers. ACA Past President Christine Suniti Bhat discusses the dangers of social media, its influence on societal pressures on young people and the role of parental supervision in protecting them. Watch the News Segment

AI Therapist Might Be Illegal Soon. Here’s Why

Published August 27, 2025 in CNN

As AI chatbots become a popular way to access cost-free counseling and companionship, a patchwork of state regulation is emerging, restricting how the technology can be used in therapy practice. ACA’s AI work group member Russell Fulmer provides insight on using AI in counseling in this article. Read Full Article

As AI Therapy Grows, Clinicians Try to Chart a Path Forward

Published August 5, 2025 in Healthcare Brew

Bots have the potential to both help and hurt the mental health crisis, and clinicians hold varied perspectives about AI for therapy. ACA’s AI work group members Russell Fulmer and Olivia Uwamahoro Williams discuss the pros and cons and are cited in this article. Read Full Article

What Does Disorganized Attachment Style look Like in Adults?

Published July 28, 2025 in WebMD

A person with disorganized attachment often wants conflicting things, so they have contradictory behavior. ACA’s President-Elect, Victoria Kress explains this attachment style and is quoted in this article. Read Full Article