Consumer Reports Includes Counselors For First Time In Survey, Article On Depression

In a major step forward for recognition of the counseling profession, Consumer Reports has for the first time included professional counselors in its annual article on depression. "Depression & Anxiety: Readers Reveal the Therapists and Drugs that Helped" appeared in the July 2010 issue.

In the past, the magazine has neglected to include professional counselors on their list of mental health providers rated by readers, and ACA has written letters to point out the omission. Now, professional counselors are included and placed on par with social workers, and psychologists. Under the subhead "Type of therapist doesn't matter," the 4-page article states: "Psychologists (Ph.D.s), social workers (M.S.W.s), and licensed professional counselors (L.P.C.s) receive equal helpfulness ratings from those who had talk therapy."

To be included in a research survey -- with the resulting positive outcomes -- of a mainstream publication such as Consumer Reports is a breakthrough for the counseling profession. Raising the awareness of the counseling profession continues to be a high priority within ACA.

Consumer Reports article... (PDF)

Consumer Reports website...