Press Release

Press Release

Brian D. Banks Joins the American Counseling Association as Its Next CEO

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian D. Banks as its new chief executive officer. Banks is a nationally recognized leader in government affairs, public policy and strategic advocacy.

Latest News


  • ACA Sponsors Final White House Convening on College and Career Readiness
    Oct 25, 2016|2 min read

    2016 marks the fifth and final White House convening of the Obama administration to examine and explore the intersections of ?cultural competence,? counseling, and college and career readiness of under-served youth. ACA members Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, ...

  • 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 ...

Media Mentions


AI & U: Taking Your Chatbot on a Dinner Date

Published February 16, 2026 on NBC News New York

AI developers are creating opportunities to explore relationships with chatbots and to use AI technology to search for human companionship. However, results from a new survey of over 700 ACA counselors show concern about developing unhealthy dependencies on chatbots. Watch the Video

AI & U: How Artificial Intelligence is Leading to Anxiety in the Workforce

Published February 13, 2026 on NBC News New York

There’s growing concern about the ability of AI to displace humans in the workforce. ACA’s AI Work Group co-chair, Russell Fulmer, talks with NBC News about what counselors are hearing from their clients. Watch the Video

AI & U: Could ‘Grief Bots’ Be a Source of Comfort, or a Mental Health Risk?

Published February 11, 2026 on NBC News New York

Emerging AI technology is making it possible to create AI versions of deceased loved ones. But in a new survey of ACA counselors, 89% says that these new grief bots interrupt the grieving process. Watch the Video

Tech developers say AI chatbots can battle loneliness and depression. Experts are skeptical.

Published February 9, 2026 on NBC News

More the 700 ACA counselors participated in an NBC News survey about the use and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on mental health. Olivia Uwamahoro, co-chair of ACA’s AI Work Group, explained why counselors are skeptical of the future of AI on mental health and wellness. Read Full Article