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 Media Spotlight: Vicarious Trauma
    Jun 14, 2016|1 min read

    ACA?s chief professional officer, Dr. David Kaplan, recently discussed the impact of terrorism on society's collective mental health in an interview with the Huffington Post.

  • ACA Offers Condolences to Those Affected by Orlando Tragedy
    Jun 14, 2016|1 min read

    The American Counseling Association (ACA) wishes to convey our deepest sympathies to those who have been harmed in the Orlando shooting this weekend, friends and family who have lost someone, and the community affected by this tragedy.

  • ACA 2017 Conference & Expo Will Be Held in San Francisco
    Jun 13, 2016|1 min read

    After withdrawing from Nashville due to the passage of Tennessee HB1840/SB1556, which is a discriminatory law that clearly targets the LGBTQ community, the American Counseling Association (ACA) has decided to relocate its 2017 Conference & Expo to San ...

Media Mentions


Burrow Blueprint Tackles Mental Health in Appalachian Schools

Published November 18, 2025 on The Post

Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Joe Burrow Foundation have partnered on a new program, the Burrow Blueprint, to provide and support mental health treatment in Appalachian Ohio schools. ACA Past President Christine Suniti Bhat explains the importance of providing mental health services to students in rural Appalachian Ohio. Read Full Article

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