ACA News

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...

Federal Court Blocks Student Loan Rule Affecting Counseling Students

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education from implementing a new rule that would have restricted access to higher federal student loan limits for students in counseling and other graduate health professions.

American Counseling Association Forms New Advisory Council

Alexandria, Va. (July 1, 2026) — Today, the American Counseling Association (ACA) has seated its inaugural Advisory Council for 2026 to 2027, consisting of representatives from each of ACA’s 20 divisions and four regions, plus one student representative.

American Counseling Association Elects FY2027 Board of Directors

Alexandria, Va. (June 30, 2026) — The American Counseling Association (ACA) announced its new board of directors for fiscal year 2027. Terms for the new officers and directors-at-large begin on July 1, 2026 and end on June 30, 2027.

HHS Announces More Than $700 Million in Behavioral Health Funding

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced more than $700 million in behavioral health funding opportunities to address mental illness, substance use disorders and homelessness.

529 Plan Changes: How These Accounts Can Be More Beneficial for Counselors

H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, was signed into law in July 2025. Among many other provisions, the changes to 529 plans could positively affect counselors and their financial situation.

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

Alexandria, Va. (June 8, 2026) — As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Indiana is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines.

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

Alexandria, Va. (June 2, 2026) — As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Georgia is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines.

Share Your Story: How Insurance Practices Affect Counselors and Clients

Insurers (including Medicaid managed care organizations) have been aggressively pursuing clawbacks, reimbursement reductions, downcoding, and other “cost-saving” approaches. This is enormously disruptive and harmful for the counseling community.

Legal Protections for Conversion Therapy Survivors in Colorado

Colorado HB26-1322, “Legal Protections for Conversion Therapy Survivors,” has passed the Colorado General Assembly and is currently awaiting action by Governor Jared Polis. Because the legislature adjourned May 13, 2026, the Governor...

John C. Nance to Serve as ACA’s 2026-2027 President-Elect

We are pleased to announce that John C. Nance, PhD, LCMHC-S, NCC, has been elected the 2026 – 2027 American Counseling Association (ACA) president-elect. He will begin his term on July 1.

Department of Health & Human Services Summit on Mental Health and Overmedicalization

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Institute hosted a summit titled, “Mental Health and Overmedicalization.” During his closing remarks, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy introduced a plan to “promote appropriate...

Rule Finalized Reducing Access to Federal Student Loans

The Trump Administration has finalized its rule reducing counseling students’ access to federal student loans. Starting July 1, 2026, as part of provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the U.S. Department of Education (ED)...

Advocacy Win- CareSource of Ohio Suspends Planned Clawbacks

Counselors in Ohio reported that CareSource, a nonprofit Medicaid managed care organization (MCO), was planning on taking back payments for behavioral health services after reviewing past claims.

New Data Shows Lack of Parity Between Mental and Physical Health Care

Kennedy Forum, Third Horizon, American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, and Ballmer Group analyzed data from four major insurance providers.

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

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

Announcing the Winners of the ACA Awards for Achievement and Excellence in Professional Counseling

Every year the American Counseling Association (ACA) recognizes excellence in research, career and humanitarian achievement among counseling professionals and students with its awards and honors program.

Supreme Court Ruling in Chiles v. Salazar Poses Serious Threat to LGBTQ+ Rights and to Professional Counselors Nationwide

Alexandria, Va. — In Chiles v. Salazar, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy, the practice of trying to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The March 31 ruling compromises the ethical standards...

Counseling Awareness Month Celebrates the Pivotal Work of Counselors in Strengthening Mental Health

Alexandria, Va. (April 1, 2026) — To honor and recognize the counseling profession and to increase public awareness about when and how to engage with a counselor, the American Counseling Association (ACA) celebrates Counseling Awareness Month each April.

Tennessee LPC/MFT Licensure Board Update

The Tennessee General Assembly advanced a bill (SB 2227/ HB 2539) that would eliminate the Licensed Professional Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy Board and house the administrative functions of the board under a Department of Health commission.