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 Accepts 2016 ASAE Summit Award in Washington, DC
    Oct 19, 2016|1 min read

    Representatives from ACA and Boys & Girls Clubs of America recently attended ASAE's 17th Annual Power of A - Summit Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC to accept an award for the 2016 Grow-Connect-Empower! Toolkit.

  • Supreme Court
    Oct 17, 2016|1 min read

    The American Counseling Association (ACA) is pleased that the Supreme Court has permitted the decision of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to stand and that Gavin Grimm will finally be able to attend high school without being stigmatized.

  • ACA Applauds White House Efforts to Ensure Safe and Supportive Schools
    Oct 4, 2016|1 min read

    New resources from the White House address the critical need for coordination among Federal, State, school, and community in creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

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