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


  • Senate Majority Up For Grabs
    Oct 24, 2016|3 min read

    While most of the attention is focused on the Presidential race, control of the Senate is also up for grabs in November and may have a significant impact on the way Washington works for the next two years. The result of these Senate races would ...

  • Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Responsibility.
    Oct 21, 2016|3 min read

    Once again we find ourselves in the middle of a presidential election. It is a time that really drives most of us to become unplugged from the digital world. Yet while many of us find the political process distasteful, we cannot let ourselves become ...

  • New Resource Page Helps Counselors Navigate the 2016 Election
    Oct 20, 2016|1 min read

    The ACA Government Affairs team has developed an online toolkit for counselors. While the ACA does not endorse any candidates for office, it does encourage people to participate in the democratic process.

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