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


  • Career Center Special Events at Convention
    Feb 24, 2006|2 min read

    Employers of counselors and counselors seeking professional opportunities will have a venue for meeting one another in the ACA Career Center, located in the Exhibit Hall, during our convention in Montreal.

  • ACA's Taskforce on Counselor Wellness and Impairment
    Feb 22, 2006|1 min read

    The Governing Council of the American Counseling Association established a Task Force on Impaired Counselors in the Spring of 2003. The creation of this task force reflects a growing awareness of impairment in the field as well as ACA's commitment to ...

  • The 2nd annual ACA Graduate Student Ethics Case Study Competition
    Feb 15, 2006|1 min read

    The ACA Ethics Committee has begun accepting registrations for the Case Study Competition for teams of Master's students and teams of Doctoral level students in counselor education programs.

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