ACA News

Access to the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Lifeline Restored

Access to the 988 LGBTQ+ youth lifeline has finally been restored after months of advocacy and congressional intervention. This program allows LGBTQ+ young people to connect with a specialized crisis counselor when they call the 988 Lifeline.

ACA Supports Doctors Not AI Act

As a member of the Mental Health Liaison Group, the American Counseling Association (ACA) has joined Inseparable and 44 mental health and medical organizations in supporting the Doctors Not AI Act (H.R. 10210).

History Is Made: Oklahoma Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines

Alexandria, Va. (October 1, 2026) — As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Oklahoma is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines.

ACA Shares NCMHA Statement on DOJ Olmstead Memorandum

As a member of the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging (NCMHA), ACA is joining our coalition colleagues in sharing important information about a recent U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) memorandum concerning Olmstead v. L.C. and the right of...

Call for Additional Contributors: ACA Encyclopedia of Counseling, Second Edition

ACA is seeking contributors for a limited number of remaining entries in the forthcoming second edition of the ACA Encyclopedia of Counseling, to be published in 2027 as part of ACA’s 75th anniversary. 

History Is Made: Tennessee Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines

As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Tennessee is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines.

Brokamp v. District of Columbia: What Counselors Should Know

On June 24, the U.S. District Court for Washington, District of Columbia (D.C.) ruled in favor of a Virginia-licensed professional counselor who challenged D.C.’s counselor licensing requirements as applied to her provision of teletherapy.

History Is Made: Wyoming Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines

As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Wyoming is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines.

Advocate Against Proposed Medicare Payment Cuts for Counselors

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2027 Calendar Year Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. They propose reducing the conversion factor applicable to most mental health counselors who are non-alternative payment...

Capturing Counseling Priorities

During Advocates in Action Month this September, we’re excited to announce a new initiative, Capturing Counseling Priorities. Capturing Counseling Priorities was inspired by Photovoice methodology, which promotes ethical photography for social change.

Court Temporarily Blocks Termination of School-Based Mental Health Grants

A federal district court issued a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Education (ED) from terminating grants under the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) Grant Program and the Mental Health Service Professional...

History Is Made: Arkansas Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines

As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Arkansas is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines.

Advocacy Secures Victory for VA Community Care Providers

Due in part to your advocacy efforts, Optum has reportedly confirmed, in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs, that providers who received recoupment notices related to 2024 claims will not be required to repay the alleged overpayments.

American Counseling Association Adds Insight Timer to Prestigious Strategic Partner Network

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is pleased to announce Insight Timer as the newest addition to its Strategic Partner Network. Strategic Partner Network was built for organizations that align closely with ACA’s strategic plan, mission, and goals.

Introducing the ACA Books Editorial Board

ACA is proud to announce the formation of its inaugural Books Editorial Board. Representing a broad range of counseling expertise and professional perspectives, this five-member board will work closely with the ACA publications department to help...

Pennsylvania (PA) Counselors Advance Legislative Priorities During 2026 Hill Day

Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA) members spent the day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. We met with state legislators and staff to advocate for policies that strengthen the counseling profession and improve access to quality mental healthcare.

Pennsylvania Becomes 39th State to Sign Interstate Counseling Compact into Law

The dream of many licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines continues to move forward with Governor Josh Shapiro signing into law his state's Counseling Compact legislation.

Beyond Resilience—The Next Frontier of Counselor Wellness

While resilience is a hallmark of counseling, an important question remains: What exactly are counselors being asked to be resilient against? For years, conversations about counselor wellness have appropriately focused on self-care, boundaries...

ACA Responds to HHS Request for Information tied to Great American Recovery Initiative

ACA submitted comments in response to the Department of Health and Human Services’ request for information for input on policy recommendations to strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery services for substance use disorders and mental illness.

Update on the RISE Final Rule and Professional Degree Designation

In late June, a D.C. Federal Judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education from implementing the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) rule. Following that decision, the Department of Education released updated guidance...