M. Elsa Soto Leggett Begins Term as American Counseling Association President

Alexandria, Va. (July 2, 2025) — 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.

Soto Leggett is the 74th president of ACA, the leading organization providing education, community and professional development opportunities for professional counselors and counselors-in-training. She is also the association’s fourth Hispanic, Latina president.

Soto Leggett takes over the role previously held by Christine Suniti Bhat, PhD, who will now serve as immediate past president through June 2026.

“As ACA President, I’m committed to expanding our profession’s reach through inclusion, advocacy and servant leadership,” Soto Leggett said. "The future of counseling is rooted in honoring our diverse stories and building pathways for those still finding their voice."

A distinguished counselor educator and licensed professional counselor with a robust academic background, Soto Leggett came to counseling later than most but at the right time in her career. She now has more than two decades of experience in the field. “For some the road to their destination is not a straight line. It is the path that fits their life and their needs,” she said.

Soto Leggett holds a Ph.D. in counselor education and an M.S. in school counseling from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, along with a B.S. in elementary education from Texas Southern University. She is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor and registered play therapist-supervisor™ in Texas, and a licensed professional counselor in Missouri. Soto Leggett discusses her priorities as president and her journey to becoming a professional counselor in Counseling Today.

An ACA member for more than 20 years, Soto Leggett has served in a variety of leadership roles with the association and its chartered divisions, including on ACA’s Governing Council, as a founding member of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC), and a past president of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA). Her leadership and dedication to service has been recognized with numerous awards and honors over the years, including the Texas School Counselor Educator of the Year award, ACAC’s National Leadership & Advocacy Award, and the Ashley Jadine Foundation Distinguished Recognition.

She is an author of numerous publications which concentrate on counseling children and adolescents as a marginalized and underserved population. Soto Leggett is also a frequently invited speaker, delivering more than 100 peer-reviewed presentations at local, regional and national conferences. In addition to Soto Leggett, the association also welcomes new and returning members of its Governing Council. For more information, contact news@counseling.org or karen@addispr.com.

About the American Counseling Association

Founded in 1952, the American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA represents more than 60,000 members and is the world’s largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Driven by the belief that all people can benefit from the power of counseling, ACA’s mission is to promote the professional development of counselors, advocate for counselors, and ensure that ethical, culturally inclusive practices protect our members’ clients and all people who seek counseling services.