Call for Contributors to  Second Edition of the ACA Encyclopedia of Counseling

The American Counseling Association (ACA) invites applications from qualified contributors for the forthcoming second edition of The ACA Encyclopedia of Counseling, which will be published in 2027 in commemoration of ACA’s 75th anniversary.

This new edition will update and expand the original 2009 volume, incorporating current research, evolving counseling practices, and a broader range of voices and perspectives across the profession.

The encyclopedia will be published in print and also digitally through Counseling Nexus, ACA’s new digital publishing platform, which will allow for multimedia enhancements and timely updates as practice and policy evolve.

Contributor Qualifications

• Primary contributors must have, at minimum, a master’s degree in counseling or related fields.
• Primary contributors should demonstrate expertise in the subject areas of the entries they propose to write, as evidenced by relevant professional practice, teaching, or publication/presentation history.
• Contributors must be able to write clearly and concisely for a professional audience that includes practitioners, educators, and students.

Contribution Details

• Contributors may be responsible for one or more assigned encyclopedia entries.
• Submitted entries must be evidence-based.
• Individual topic entries will not exceed 2,000 words and must adhere to the ACA Publications author guidelines for formatting and citations.
• All entries must be original and will be peer-reviewed by members of the editorial team.

Timeline

• Contributor applications due: January 31, 2026
• Contributor selections announced: February 27, 2026
• Contribution drafts due to editorial team: August 10, 2026
• Publication date: September 14, 2027

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following materials to publications@counseling.org by January 31, 2026.

• A brief letter of interest (no more than one page) indicating your areas of expertise and identifying up to 10 topics you would like to author. A list of topical entries is available here. Additional topics may be suggested.
• A short CV (2–3 pages) highlighting topically relevant experience, publications and presentations.

Applications will be reviewed by the ACA Encyclopedia of Counseling editorial team and selected contributors will be notified by February 27, 2026.

We look forward to collaborating with counseling practitioners, educators, and scholars to produce a comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking reference work that reflects the depth and diversity of the counseling profession today.