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


  • 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 ...

  • ACA Wins Two Hermes Creative Awards
    May 7, 2013|1 min read

    The ACA Website Launch Video won a Platinum Award in the Video category and the ACA Website Redesign won a Gold Award in the Website Overall/Association category.

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