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


  • Faces of Counseling 2015
    Apr 13, 2015|1 min read

    Counselors are a reflection of the people they help - they come from all walks of life and every corner of the globe. Our special Counseling Awareness Month portrait gallery, ?Faces of Counseling 2015,? celebrates the diversity of the counseling ...

  • ACA in the News: ACA Supports Obama?s Conversion Therapy Announcement
    Apr 10, 2015|1 min read

    Richard Yep, ACA?s Chief Executive Officer, spoke with the Washington Times yesterday to share ACA?s support of President Obama?s statement encouraging all states to ban the practice of conversion therapy.

  • President Obama Calls for End to Conversion "Therapy"
    Apr 9, 2015|2 min read

    In a statement released last night (Apr. 8), Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Obama, wrote that, "As part of our dedication to protecting America?s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors."

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