System Update: We are experiencing issues with login functionality for our store and digital assets. We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the issue and apologize for any inconvenience. Learn More

Learn About Counseling
Learn About Counseling

Professional counselors help people gain personal insights, develop strategies and come up with real-life solutions to the problems and challenges they face in every area of life.
What Is Counseling?

Counseling Corner

Counseling Impact

Counselor Stories

Provider Directories
Membership
Membership

ACA is a community dedicated to the advancement of the counseling profession, mental health and well-being. More than 60,000 members strong, we are the largest membership organization serving the counseling profession.
Join Now

Member Benefits

Membership Savings Program

Membership Tiers

Awards
Government Affairs
Government Affairs

ACA advocates for its members and the counseling profession on a range of issues. We educate policymakers, advocate for policies, support state-level advocacy efforts of ACA branches and elevate member voices.
Legislative Advocacy

Legislative Updates

Federal Issues

Medicare Coverage for Counseling

State Issues

Counseling Compact

Take Action

Resources
Events & Education
Events & Education

ACA events provide spaces that allow professional counselors to share, learn and connect with their peers and colleagues, no matter their career stage or workplace setting.
ACA Conference & Expo

Continuing Education

Events

ACA 75th Anniversary
Publications & News
Publication & News

ACA publishes research, educational texts, professional development resources, and other works that amplify and elevate the counseling field.
About Our Publications

Books

Book Proposal Process

Product Ordering Information

Upcoming Releases

Counseling Journals

Journal of Counseling & Development

The Career Development Quarterly

Counselor Education and Supervision

Journal of Addictions & Justice-Involved Counseling

Journal of Employment Counseling

The Journal of Humanistic Counseling

The Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development

Counseling Nexus

Counseling Today Magazine

Media Center
Ethics & Resources
Ethics & Resources

ACA offers an array of resources to help counselors in their daily work, including the ACA Code of Ethics; licensure and career resources; and practice briefs.
Ethics

Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment

Anxiety Disorders

Depression

Disordered Eating & Body Image

Disruptive, Impulse-Control, & Conduct Disorders

Dual Diagnosis / Co-occurring

Gender

Suicide Prevention

Trauma & Stress-Related Disorders

Treatment & Interventions

Substance-Related & Addictive Disorders

Cultural Identities, Multiculturalism & Diversity

Black & Brown Communities

Conversion Therapy

Cultural Responsiveness

Disabled Communities

Immigrant Communities

Indigenous Communities

LGBTQ+ Communities

Military & Veterans

Religion & Spirituality

Social Justice

Sexuality

Modalities

DBT

Creative Art Therapies

Creative Complementary

Group Work

Humanistic Counseling

Professional Counseling

Business Administration

Career Development

Counseling Specialties & Workplace Settings

Ethics, Legal, Healthcare Regulation & Compliance

Government Agencies

Licensure

Professional Development

Supervision

Technology & Related Topics

Wellness & Self-Care

Special Considerations

Adoption & Foster Care

Aging Issues

Children & Adolescents

Couples, Marriage, & Family

Grief & Loss

Gun Violence

Intimate Partner Violence

Relationships

Natural Disasters

Competencies & Exemplary Practices

Licensure Requirements

Practice Briefs

Research & Reports
About ACA
About ACA

ACA is the largest professional organization serving counselors and counselors in training in the U.S. Learn more about our history, mission, leadership and ways to partner and work with us.
Who We Are

Meet Our Staff

Strategic Plan

Work at ACA!

Year in Review

Leadership & Governance

Elections

Board of Directors

Advisory Council

Divisions, Regions and Branches

ACA Foundation

Media Kit

Partnerships

Values & Statements

DBT

DBT

Transforming mental health through thought pattern modification

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) aims to adjust information processing and initiate change in all systems by acting through the cognitive system. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness-based strategies for acceptance and tolerating distress.

Continuing Education on This Topic