Learn, Connect and Grow

By Christine Suniti Bhat, PhD, LPC, LSC

March 2025

Hello, ACA members! I am excited March is here because that means the ACA Conference & Expo is around the corner. ACA leadership and staff look forward to welcoming attendees to Orlando, Florida, on March 27-29. Consistent with my presidential themes, some sessions will focus on counseling with children and youth, some will focus on research, and some will focus on advocacy. Beyond these three areas, with more than 150 education sessions across 24 topic tracks, there’s going to be a lot to choose from.

If you have not registered yet, here are five great reasons to join us:

1. Community — At my first ACA conference as a student in 2002, I was so heartened by being around 3,000+ people who shared my passion for counseling. If you are a first-timer or a frequent attendee, you’re likely to feel that way, too!
2. Meaningful keynote and general sessions with Brandon Wolf, national press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign and a survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting; Jeanette Betancourt, EdD, senior vice president for U.S. social impact at Sesame Workshop; Tommie Mabray, PhD, author, scholar and advocate for impoverished youth; and Samirah Horton, aka DJ Annie Red, anti-bullying youth ambassador.
3. Invited presidential sessions by Cirecie West-Olatunji, PhD (“Counseling Interventions and Evidence-based Treatment for BIPOC Children and Youth Who Have Experienced Racial Trauma”) and Darcy Haag Granello, PhD (“Through a Servant Research Lens: Engaging in Research that Improves the Lives of Others”).
4. A fantastic, fun opening reception and Expo Hall grand opening with great food, fellowship, music and dance.
5. Opportunities to connect and network with counselors from around the country and around the world. 

For our members who cannot join us at the conference, we will miss you. Please take advantage of the free continuing education credits that are a benefit of your membership (bit.ly/ACAconted). I want to remind our members of the ACA Certificate in Counseling Interventions and Evidence-Based Treatment for Specific Issues with Children and Youth (bit.ly/certificateyouth). This is one of my presidential initiatives, and it is being offered for free to members until June 30. Please sign up and help spread the word.

Updating ACA Resources 

Another member resource I want to highlight are ACA Practice Briefs. Thank you to the Research and Knowledge Committee chaired by Nicole Stargell, PhD, which has been working hard to review and update the practice briefs. These were an initiative of former ACA President and current Journal of Counseling & Development Editor Bradley Erford, PhD. The briefs are another way ACA supports counselors in their practice. I encourage anyone who is interested in updating or writing a practice brief to check out the guidelines.

I am happy to let you know that revisions to the ACA Code of Ethics are progressing well under the able leadership of Marcelle Giovannetti, EdD, and Jeannette Baca, EdD, co-chairs of the Ethics Revision Committee. A big thank-you to the co-chairs, committee members and Lynn Linde, EdD, ACA’s chief of professional practice, for this important work. Speaking of ACA staff, I’m grateful for the many ways staff and the CEO support the mission of ACA with the work they do. Thank you!

As we look forward to spring as a time of rejuvenation, please remember your own wellness. Whether carving out “me” time, connecting with family or friends, finding a new hobby or traveling, please take care of yourself. Keep doing the amazing things you are doing, and may our counseling profession flourish and grow as we serve those who need our expertise. It is a true honor to serve you as ACA president.