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


  • ILT 2013 Attendees Spend a Day on the Hill
    Jul 29, 2013|2 min read

    More than 130 ACA leaders spent the day on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress and their staff to lobby for legislation in the areas of mental health, school and career counseling, and veterans affairs.

  • New Partnership Promotes Nationwide Conversations on Mental Health
    Jul 29, 2013|2 min read

    Earlier this year, President Obama called on Americans to start a ?national conversation to increase understanding about mental health," and directed the secretaries of the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education to launch ...

  • Stacey Brown Wins Counseling Awareness Month Publicity Contest
    May 29, 2013|1 min read

    "Many times, I hear people say that they ’should be able’ to handle whatever is wrong on their own. According to whom?" - Stacey Brown, MA, LMHC, NCCThe winner of ACA’s first Counseling Awareness Month Publicity Contest is a private ...

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