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


  • ACAF 2014 Graduate Student Essay Competitions Winners Announced
    Feb 24, 2014|2 min read

    The 2014 ACA Foundation Graduate Student Essay competitions have come to a close. A record 400 essays were submitted for the annual competition.

  • ACA in the News: Hispanics and Access to Mental Health Care
    Feb 20, 2014|1 min read

    NPR affiliate, WDDE, recently looked at the barriers individuals within the Hispanic population face when seeking mental health care in the U.S. Dr. Patricia Arredondo, past president of ACA, was interviewed to discuss accessibility issues and more.

  • First Scholars-in-Residence Announced
    Feb 19, 2014|2 min read

    The ACA Center for Counseling Practice, Policy, and Research announces its selection of the first two Scholars-in-Residence (SIR) interns: Adam Carter, a doctoral degree student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Jasmine Mcleod, a ...

Media Mentions


When It Feels Like Your Family Is Making Your Depression Worse

Published April, 2026 on WebMD

Criticism from family members on the care of loved ones with depression can worsen a care giver’s own depression. ACA President Elect Victoria Kress and Shari Moody, discuss how care givers can manage their depression and how they can deal with family members. Read the Full Article

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