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 Participates in National Dialogue on Mental Health
    Oct 21, 2013|2 min read

    On October 12, 2013, ACA participated in a Creating Community Solutions discussion on mental health. Convened by Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, the town hall event was part of a national dialogue to promote solutions to the challenges faced by ...

  • CACREP/CORE Announce New Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Standards
    Oct 9, 2013|1 min read

    CACREP and its corporate affiliate CORE have released the newly adopted Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Standards (ClRC) for immediate use by master?s degree counseling programs seeking to become accredited.

  • ACA in the News: Joblessness and Mental Health
    Oct 9, 2013|1 min read

    American Counseling Association president, Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji, was recently interviewed by RT-TV America as part of a news story addressing unemployment and suicide. In the segment, which aired on Monday, October 2, 2013, in Washington D.C., ...

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