ACA News

More counselors needed for children in U.S. border detention facilities, ACA CEO Says

American Counseling Association Chief Executive Officer Richard Yep recently sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, urging HHS to increase the number of mental health counselors at influx care facilities in the United ...

Application process open: Two student-loan debt-forgiveness programs for LPCs

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications through Feb. 21 for two student-loan repayment-assistance programs for behavioral health clinicians, including licensed professional counselors (LPCs).

ACA Statement Regarding The Mass Shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue

We are deeply saddened by the horrific anti-Semitic violence carried out at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday, October 27. We grieve for those who were directly impacted.

Call for Disaster Mental Health Volunteers for Hurricane Michael

The American Red Cross has asked ACA and their other mental health partners to issue a call for disaster mental health volunteers who are not currently in the Red Cross system to respond to those affected by Hurricane Michael.

Red Cross Issues Call for Mental Health Volunteers for Florence Response

Although now a tropical depression, Florence has devastated the Carolinas, dumping more than 30 inches of rain in some communities, causing catastrophic flooding. More than 19,000 people are living in temporary shelters and it will be some time before ...

Senate Approves Bill Expanding Training Support for School-Based Mental Health Professionals

A $10 million training program for school-based mental health support is included in the fiscal year 2019 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations bill that was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate on the evening of Aug. 23.

ACA Opposes Ohio Bill Requiring Teachers, Counselors to ?Out? Transgender Kids to Parents

The American Counseling Association strongly opposes H.B. 658, a measure in the Ohio General Assembly that would require professional counselors and teachers to ?out? transgender children and youth to their parents.

ACA Asks White House to End Forced Family Separations at U.S. Border

The American Counseling Association called on the Trump Administration to immediately end its practice of separating children from their families at the international border and ports of entry. The practice, part of the Administration?s new ?zero ...

Gun Violence Trauma: ACA Offers Free Resources for Counselors

ACA members?and all professional counselors?are fully prepared to assist anyone in need of support following an episode of trauma.

Get Ready. April is Counseling Awareness Month!

Each year, the American Counseling Association designates April as Counseling Awareness Month. The celebration, first held in 2002, was created to recognize the important work done by professional counselors and to draw attention to the many ways ...

American Counseling Association and the American School Counselor Association Announce New Collaborative Relationship

The American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) are pleased to announce a new collaborative relationship that will support continued growth of both organizations as we continue to serve the best interests ...

In Support of Counselors and Students Seeking a Reduction in Gun Violence

The American Counseling Association recently adopted a resolution calling for more school counselors to support children affected by gun trauma.

ACA Calls for More School Counselors to Support Children Affected by Gun Trauma

On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the Executive Committee of the American Counseling Association adopted a resolution supporting and highlighting the role that school counselors play in addressing the anxiety, stress, and trauma students experience after a school ...

ACA Names National Award Winners

The American Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association Foundation are pleased to announce the 76 winners of their annual awards competitions for professional counselors and counseling students.

ACA Announces 68th President

Heather Trepal, Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Approved Supervisor (LPC-S, Texas), will begin her term as ACA President-Elect on July 1, 2018, and will begin serving as American Counseling Association President on July 1, 2019.

ACA Stands in Support of Parkland, Florida: Free Resources Are Available for Counselors

The American Counseling Association is saddened by the tragedy in South Florida and holds the Stoneman Douglas High School Community in its thoughts.

Puerto Rico: The Crisis Continues

Nearly five months after Hurricane Maria upended life for everyone in its path, Puerto Rico remains in critical condition. Power has not been completely restored to the island?and some areas are not expected to have power until May. An estimated ...

White House Supports Additional Type of Group Health-Care Insurance Plan

Late last month, the White House proposed new rules that would make it easier for small businesses, sole proprietors, and individuals to group together in ?association? to buy insurance in the large group market. These association plans, as they are ...

ACA Weighs In on Wording Restrictions at the Centers for Disease Control

According to recent press reports, officials at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have been told to not use the terms ?diversity,? ?transgender,? ?evidence-based,? and ?science-based,? among others, in the upcoming budget request for 2019. This ...

Tax Bill Compromise Under Way

The House and Senate have approved different versions of tax reform and now the conference committee is preparing to release the final compromise version, which both houses must then pass before the measure goes to the President for signature. There ...