What is Counseling?
Professional counselors help people gain personal insights, develop strategies and come up with real-life solutions.
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View DirectoriesEdil Torres Rivera, PhD, LPC, ACS
"A counselor is a trained professional who walks with the client without judgement to wherever they see their destination to be. And, along the way, we’re equipped to provide different alternatives to help the client move past the obstacles they face."
Get Involved and Spread the Word
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2024 CAM: Sample Social Media Messages
- I’m so excited to join @ACACounselors for Counseling Awareness Month 2024 throughout the month of April! #CounselorsHelp https://counseling.org/cam
- Professional counselors across myriad settings play a central role in keeping people and communities healthy. Join me and @ACACounselors throughout the month of April as we celebrate the work counselors do during Counseling Awareness Month 2024! #CounselorsHelp https://counseling.org/cam
- Celebrate the counselors in your life! We’re excited to join @ACACounselors in highlighting the work counselors do throughout the month of April for Counseling Awareness Month! #CounselorsHelp https://counseling.org/cam
2024 Teal Day (April 12th): Sample Social Media Messages
- I’m excited to join @ACACounselors on Friday, April 12th for Teal Day. Teal Day works to build strong support, recognition and appreciation towards the work counselors do during Counseling Awareness Month! #CounselorsHelp https://counseling.org/cam
- Mark your calendars! On Friday, April 12th, we join @ACACounselors in celebrating Teal Day for Counseling Awareness Month. Teal Day encourages awareness of the importance of counseling and self-care for counselors as they enlighten keeping clients, colleagues and communities healthy. Be sure to take a pic of your teal gear, use #CounselorsHelp and join the movement! https://counseling.org/cam
Below you will find language that you may submit when soliciting a proclamation for Counseling Awareness Month. Feel free to modify to fit requirements.
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Whereas: The American Counseling Association [and state or local association] has [have] declared the month of April 2024 as Counseling Awareness Month, and
Whereas: Professional counseling contributes to the growth and development of people across the life span and assists them in achieving their full human, educational and career potential, and
Whereas: Citizens can utilize the services of professional counselors in schools, colleges, mental health agencies, community agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practice and other delivery settings; and
Whereas: An improved understanding of counseling and how it can address citizen [insert student or other word here if appropriate] needs will be beneficial to all,
[Ending below is for when proclamation is made by an official]
Therefore, I [insert name of governor, mayor or official] of [insert the name of state, city or community] do hereby proclaim the month of April 2024 as Counseling Awareness Month and asked all citizens to learn more about the role of counseling in our lives and recognize the important contributions made by counseling professionals.
[Ending below is for when proclamation is issued by a governing body or organization]
Therefore, the [insert identity of city council, school board, etc.] hereby proclaims the month of April 2024 as Counseling Awareness Month and encourages greater understanding of the role of counseling in our lives and enhanced recognition of the contributions made by counseling professionals.
Signature _______________________________________________________ Date______________________________
Get more information about State Proclamations Requests.
Join us for
TEAL DAYon April 12
Celebrated on the second Friday of April, Teal Day encourages awareness of the importance of counseling and self-care for counselors as they enlighten their clients, colleagues and the greater public of the same. It recognizes counselors place in the national mental health conversation and the importance of debunking the stigma related to mental illness. It also challenges people to broaden their understanding of counseling in the prevention and management of mental health conditions.
From the Counseling Corner
We all face daily challenges in today's complicated and demanding world. Counseling Corner articles take a closer look at those challenges and offer thoughtful ideas, suggestions and strategies to help you to live a happier and healthier life.
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Personal Identity and the Importance of Respecting PronounsAug 20, 2024|4 min readAccurately using a person’s pronouns is both a basic and critical way to show respect and support; acknowledge and validate the identity and sense of self of others; and ensure a sense of inclusion and belonging.
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Celebrating LGBTGEQIAP+ Diversity – Can One Acronym Say It All?Jul 17, 2024|3 min readYou may be familiar with using the letters “LGBTQ” to refer to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. But what about LGBTGEQIAP+?
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Getting Help When Grief Doesn’t EndMay 29, 2024|3 min readSome people face obstacles in healing emotionally after a loss. They may become stuck in their grief, mired in feelings of fear, helplessness, sadness and even anger.
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How to Work Effectively with Your CounselorApr 9, 2024|3 min readYou’ve selected and scheduled an appointment with a counselor. You’re about to embark on a special relationship — one that involves honesty, trust and collaboration.
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Related Counseling Today Articles
Addressing the loneliness epidemic
Loneliness is a growing public health concern, but counselors can help clients examine the underlying cause of this feeling and learn to rebuild their connections to others.
Prioritizing trauma-informed care
A trauma-informed approach benefits both counselors and clients, yet more work needs to be done to ensure these principles are adopted across health care systems.
The maternal mental health of Black women
Because Black women in the United States face an alarmingly higher rate of maternal mortality and mental health conditions, counselors should be prepared to help clients manage their mental health while also advocating for quality care from health pr
Self-diagnosis in a digital world
Thanks to the popularity of social media postings about mental health and the ease of searching for symptoms online, more people are being tempted to self-diagnose, but is that necessarily a troubling trend for counselors?
Why your own therapy is so important as a counselor
When clinicians shy away from engaging in therapy themselves, they are limiting their ability to be effective counselors.
Stress vs. anxiety vs. burnout: What’s the difference?
People often view stress, anxiety and burnout as three interchangeable conditions, but understanding what differentiates them can help in addressing what lies at the heart of each.
The emotional and social health needs of Gen Z
Uncertainty and stress have left Generation Z feeling anxious, depressed and isolated and in desperate need of skills that counseling can provide.
Perspectives on grief and loss
The experience of grief and loss is universal; the circumstances surrounding it and the way people understand and process it are anything but.
Recovering from the trauma of infidelity
Professional counselors play an important role in helping couples and individuals process and heal from the emotionally charged experience of confronting a betrayal in their relationship.
Procrastination: An emotional struggle
Procrastination is a common issue — one that people often equate with simply being “lazy” or having poor time-management skills. But there is often more to the story.
MEMBER SHOWCASE
Lisa J. Young, LCPC, LPC
Lisa J. Young, who joined ACA in 2001, is a professional counselor and owner of Let’s Fly Counseling Services in Maryland. She enjoys helping clients overcome their apprehensions about counseling and grow to embrace it.
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