ACA News

AI Can Support — But Not Replace — Human Counselors, According to New Recommendations

Artificial intelligence (AI) shows promise as a valuable support tool but the American Counseling Association (ACA) warns that consumers should not use AI as a substitute for a human counselor. 

Administration Announces New Program: the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model

On Thursday January 18, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) held a behavioral health stakeholder meeting...

The House and Senate Vote to Pass Temporary Extensions on Government Funding

On Thursday January 18, 2024, the Senate and House passed the continuing resolution (CR), the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of 2024, that provides short term government funding through March 1, 2024.

New Jersey Becomes 32nd 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 Phil Murphy signing into law his state's Counseling Compact legislation.

Passage of the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act Could Benefit Licensed Professional Counselors

The Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) are rates set by statute and formula. Physicians and some practitioners are paid the full fee schedule amount ... while other non-physician practitioners are paid a percentage of the fee schedule amount.

Government Affairs December 2023 Updates

Medicare UpdateThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are currently accepting applications for any counselors interested in becoming a Medicare provider.

DC Mayor Signs Bill Offering Financial Assistance for Counseling Students

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is pleased to announce ... a unique funding program offering tuition and further funding to graduate students attending the HBCU University of the District of Columbia (UDC).

Wisconsin Becomes 31st State to Sign Interstate Counseling Compact into Law (CC)

The dream of many licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines took another step forward as Governor Tony Evers signed into law his state’s Counseling Compact legislation. 

An Update on the Brokamp Case

In 1976, Virginia became the first state to gain licensure for counselors; in 2009, California became the 50th. In the interim 33 years, counselors worked tirelessly across the country to convince state legislators ...

The Most Frequent Questions About the Counseling Compact

The Counseling Compact is making tremendous progress. On June 29, the governor of Connecticut signed the legislation into law, making Connecticut the 30th state to join the compact.

ACA Attends the Inaugural HHS 'Music is Medicine' Event

This week, the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team attended the inaugural Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 'Music is Medicine' event. 

Professional Identity and the Counseling Compact

The Counseling Compact — an agreement among states to legislatively recognize other states’ counseling licenses — has generated a lot of excitement and momentum since December 2020 when the initial draft was finalized.

White House announces new initiative on Women’s Health Research

In a recent Presidential Memorandum, President Joe Biden established the new White House Initiative on Women's Health Research, aiming to mobilize the Federal government, private sector, and philanthropic organizations to enhance women's health.

Labor HHS Releases Report Which Includes Billions in Mental Health Provisions

Recently, the House Appropriations Committee released the report for the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024 (L-HHS), which includes $2.7 billion for SAMHSA mental health activities and programs.

Senate Finance Legislation May Expand Mental Health Care

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID), released a set of policies aimed at expanding mental health care under Medicaid and Medicare, in addition to lowering prescription drug cost for seniors.

ACA Attends Congressional Briefing on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

  Recently ACA attended the Congressional Briefing “Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act: What Has Changed (and Hasn’t) 15 Years Since Passage,” sponsored by REDC.  Since the passage of the Mental Health Parity and ...

Workplace Wellness Policies Could Soften the Effects of Workaholism

Employers should consider more ways to facilitate time off for the employees who are least likely to take it — workaholics. That’s the conclusion of counseling experts who conducted a workaholism study published in Career Development Quarterly

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Release Final Rule for Medicare Reimbursement

  November 3, 2023 (Alexandria, VA) — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule Rule. Many of the policies within the rule relate to mental health counselors (MHC) and marriage and ...

President Biden Signs Artificial Intelligence (AI) Executive Order

President Biden recently signed an Executive Order which focuses on regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Executive Order establishes new standards for AI safety and security, protects Americans’ privacy, advances equity and civil rights, ...

ACA 2025 Conference & Expo in Orlando FAQs

The American Counseling Association will continue with its longstanding plan to host its 2025 Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida. In a letter to members, ACA President Edil Torres Rivera, PhD, and CEO Shawn Boynes shared the rationale ...