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


  • Fast Fact: Parents Set Lofty Goals for Children
    May 6, 2008|1 min read

    A new report from the National Center for Educational Statistics finds contemporary parents setting high educational attainment goals for their children. According to the report, about 9 in 10 students (91%) in grades 6 through 12 have parents who ...

  • ACA Pushing Hard for LPC Coverage
    May 6, 2008|1 min read

    A lack of time and available money late last year prevented Congress from passing any substantial reforms to many of Medicare's antiquated policies, including the identification of licensed professional counselors as service providers. ACA and AMHCA ...

  • ACA Members Sound Off on Title: Licensed Professional Counselor Wins
    May 6, 2008|1 min read

    Earlier this year, a "Sound Off" poll in ACAeNews for Mental Health, Private Practice and Community Agency Counselors asked members to voice their opinion on consolidating licensure titles into one standard occupational title that would promote ...

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