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


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    Apr 4, 2022|2 min read

    On March 28th, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the report, Veterans Health Care: Efforts to Hire Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors (LPHMC) and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT).GAO conducted this study as required ...

  • Report From Senate Finance Looks Good for Counselors
    Apr 4, 2022|2 min read

    The American Counseling Association (ACA) commends the recent release of the Senate Finance Committee (SFC) report, “Mental Health Care in the United States: The Case for Federal Action” and their work to support bipartisan mental health ...

  • Maine Becomes Seventh State to Sign Interstate Counseling Compact into Law
    Apr 4, 2022|2 min read

    The American Counseling Association and licensed professional counselors nationwide are celebrating the signing of Maine House Paper 1427 in support of the Counseling Compact, which will authorize counselors to practice across state lines once enacted.

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