Value of Membership

Build and sharpen your skills through leadership development programs.

• Advance your knowledge and earn CEs at the Conference & Expo (spring) and Professional Practice Summit (fall).
• Enjoy in-depth news and features about professional counseling through the award-winning Counseling Today magazine and read the latest research online in the Journal of Counseling & Development (JCD).
• Earn continuing education (CE) credits online at your convenience, including 12 free online CE courses each year (a $299 value).
• Find digital and print resources at member prices through the bookstore. Plus, listen to podcasts, webinars and blogs for engaging conversations on hot topics.
• Receive discounts on malpractice  liability insurance to protect your assets and cover your expenses in the event of a claim. (Free to master’s degree students. Professionals receive a 10% discount each year – some exclusions apply.)

Discover and navigate the steps to build and sustain a successful career.

• State licensure requirements and education prerequisites, including private consultations scheduled exclusively with members.
• Career Services Programs enable members to search job boards, post resumes, receive custom job alerts, schedule career consultations and/or resume, CV and cover letter reviews and more.
• Ethics consultations with a staff expert are available if a challenging ethical dilemma arises — an exclusive member benefit. Guidance on setting up a private practice is available with experienced professionals.
• Members-only savings discounts on professional malpractice liability, auto, home and personal insurance products, as well as discounts on car rentals and hotels.

Amplify your voice on legislation and other issues impacting the profession.

• Medicare reimbursement is now law. This law will allow over 200,000 mental health professionals to enroll as Medicare providers. Review the fact sheet on how to prepare to accept Medicare in starting in January 2024.
• The  Counseling Compact is a contract among states allowing professional counselors licensed and residing in a Compact member state to practice in other Compact member states without the need for multiple licenses.
• ACA’s annual Hill Day (held virtually 2020-2023) is a chance to learn how to speak with legislators and understand the ins and outs of the Washington political field. Members listen to and learn from government affairs experts on a variety of topics affecting their careers and the counseling profession.

Share your knowledge, showcase your expertise and expand your network.

• Access ACA Connect, a private, secure space where members ask for advice, gather input on counseling-related topics, join discussions about trends or challenges and more.
• Submit a proposal to present at a professional development event.
• Celebrate your peers! Since 1956, our National Awards have shone a spotlight on those who go above and beyond in their commitment to the counseling profession.