ACA News

Iowa ACA Members Help Defeat Legislation That Would Harm Counseling Profession

The proposed bill would have eliminated the licensure process for a number of professions including counseling, instead requiring anyone who wanted to be considered a counselor to simply register with the State Department of Public Health.

ACAF Grant Brings Play Therapy Room to an Orphanage

Youngsters at the St. Aloysius Orphanage in Cincinnati, Ohio, now have access to a play therapy room, thanks to funds from the American Counseling Association Foundation's (ACAF) Growing Happy and Confident Kids (GHCK) program grant.

ACA Supports Foster Kids Through Comfort Kits

ACA staffers recently formed an assembly line in a conference room to pack 40 duffel bags with an array of items designed to offer comfort to children entering foster care.

ACA Media Spotlight: Softening the Blow of Divorce for Kids

David Kaplan, ACA past president and chief professional officer, recently shared tips for parents with Thrive Global.

Winners of 2017 ACA National Awards Announced

Each year, the American Counseling Association recognizes and celebrates the achievements of counseling professionals who have distinguished themselves professionally, as well as through service to others.

2017 Graduate Student Essay Competitions Winners Announced

ACA student members were competing for prizes in two essay competitions: the Future School Counselors Essay Competition (sponsored by the Roland and Dorothy Ross Trust) and the Graduate Student Essay Competition (sponsored by Gerald and Marianne Corey ...

2016-2017 Ethics Competition Winners Announced

Winners were identified from the top three Master?s teams and the top three Doctoral teams, with one honorable mention in each academic level. Members of the winning team will be recognized at the National Awards Ceremony at the ACA 2017 Conference & ...

Prognosis for the Affordable Care Act

As Congress begins to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, it finds that one of those is easier than the other.

More States Considering Bans on Conversion Therapy

Five states and the District of Columbia have laws prohibiting conversion therapy. Five more are considering similar bills introduced this month.

ACA and Cities Thrive Coalition Urge Congressional Leadership Not to Dismantle the Affordable Care Act

The American Counseling Association has joined with over 100 mayors and other partners in the Cities Thrive Coalition in urging leaders in Congress to ?build upon, not tear down, the progress that has been made to our behavioral health system through ...

ACA Attends American Association of State Counseling Boards Conference

Licensing reform, board consolidation, codes of ethics, and portability are some of the issues being discussed by licensing board members and other stakeholders in the profession.

ACA Announces Counseling Symposium Focused on Serving the LGBTQ Community

ILLUMINATE will take place in Washington, DC during the 42nd Annual Pride Festival, June 8-10, 2017.

ACA Media Spotlight: Bouncing Back from 2016

2016 was a difficult year for many. In fact, studies show that 55 percent of Americans labeled it as one of the worst or below average.

ACA Media Spotlight: Confronting FOMO

ACA's Danielle Irving spoke to Reader's Digest about the very real phenomenon of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), its relationship to social media, and how to keep jealousy in check.

ACA to Sponsor International School Counselor Study

Conducted by the RH Fredrickson Center for School Counseling Outcome Research (CSCORE) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the research will explore commonalities and differences in the activities of school counselors around the world with ...

ACA Contributes to Thrive Global

The mission of Thrive Global, a well-being and productivity platform, is to end the stress and burnout epidemic by offering companies and individuals sustainable, science-based solutions to enhance both well-being and performance.

ACA Celebrates the Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2016

On December 16, 2016, President Obama signed H.R. 6416, which authorized the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) who have a doctoral degree. ACA and its members have advocated for this specific issue for ...

New Law Creates More Opportunities for LPCs to Serve Veterans

President Obama and the 114th Congress gave the counseling profession a small gift before wrapping up their legislative business before the holiday season and the end of the year. On December 16, 2016, the President signed H.R. 6416, the ?Veterans ...

President Signs Landmark Mental Health Legislation

By signing the 21st Century Cures Act, President Obama approved the first major mental health legislation in nearly a decade.

Federal Spending, Federal Programs on Hold Until Spring

Congress has adjourned for the year. The 115th Congress will convene on January 3rd. Republicans will still control the majorities in both parties, although with slightly smaller margins.