ACA News

ACA Participates in NIH Global Mental Health Workshop

The American Counseling Association (ACA) was an invited participant at a National Institute for Health (NIH) global mental health workshop

House Passes Healthcare Bill. Senate to Find Some Remedies.

The House passed a healthcare reform bill that substitutes tax credits for insurance subsidies, removes the requirement for mental health coverage, and removes millions from the Medicaid rolls. The Senate will now write its own bill that will not be ...

President Signs Spending Bill; Government Stays Open, Mental Health and Education Programs Funded

This afternoon the President signed the bill that funds the government through September 30. Money for mental health programs, money for fighting opioid abuse, and money for schools becomes available.

Controversial Nominee Picked to Oversee SAMHSA

A former chief medical director at SAMHSA has been chosen to oversee the agency. She criticized its approach to severe mental illness after she left, and the Congressman who helped create the post overseeing the agency has criticized the nomination.

Supreme Court Turns Away Challenge to Conversion Therapy Ban

The Supreme Court upholds California's conversion therapy ban, which was challenged on religious freedom grounds and previously on free speech grounds. This protects bans in other states as well. Congress is considering a nationwide ban on conversion ...

Bills Introduced in Congress Would Ban Conversion Therapy. Add your support

Bills in the House and Senate would ban conversion therapy as a fraudulent practice because sexual identity is not a treatable medical condition, or a medical condition at all. You can add your support.

ACA in the News: Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2017

ACA offered support for a bill that will amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to classify commercial conversion therapy and any advertising that claims that such therapy is able to change sexual orientation and gender identity as ?fraud.?

Keeping the Government Open, and Obamacare Funded, or Not: A Busy Week

Congress has until Friday to fund school counseling programs, drug and alcohol programs, the VA, and the rest of the government, or trigger a shutdown. How will the President's priorities affect the outcome?

ACA Launches App for Journal of Counseling & Development (JCD)

The association's latest member benefit offers unparalleled professional content through the convenience of a phone or tablet.

ACA Members Volunteer at Local Boys & Girls Clubs

ACA arranged a unique volunteer opportunity with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) during the week of April 17-21, in celebration of Counseling Awareness Month (April).

ACA in the News: Roadblocks to Treatment in Fight Against Opioid Addiction

Dr. Carol Smith, ACA member, professor of counseling at Marshall University, and past president of the West Virginia Counseling Association, recently spoke to The Daily Caller about challenges counselors see on the front lines of addiction treatment.

New Mexico Bans Conversion Therapy

New Mexico becomes the first state this year to pass bipartisan legislation that bans conversion therapy on minors.

ACA Hosts Congressional Briefing on Opioid Addiction

ACA hosted a briefing for Capitol Hill staff on the opioid crisis and how counselors can be involved in the response. The event is available on video.

Limbo for the Affordable Care Act Is Coming To An End

The White House and Congress must decide whether to proactively weaken the Affordable Care Act or whether to prop it up because deadlines are looming on a court case, a spending bill, and for insurance companies to remain in the program.

ACA Media Spotlight: Time to Stop Glorifying Workaholism

Dr. David Kaplan, ACA chief professional officer, wrote an article for Thrive Global explaining the perils of workaholism and ways to address it.

ACA Hosts Congressional Briefing on Epidemic of Opioid Addiction

On Tuesday, April 4, 2017, ACA hosted a two-hour Congressional briefing at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center. The briefing explored the effects of opioid use disorder and the unique roles Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) play in helping ...

ACA Launches 2017 Counseling Awareness Month 2017 Campaign

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.? ? Viktor Frankl

Repealing and Replacing Obamacare Becomes Retreating and Regrouping

The House bill to repeal and replace Obamacare could not attract enough votes to pass. Its future viability, and the mental health benefits it provides, are up to the insurance companies and the Administration.

ACA Media Spotlight: Helping Teen Boys Express Emotions

ACA member Dr. Dana Kasper recently shared helpful tips with Huffington Post Canada.

ACA Urges Members to Rally Against American Health Care Act

"Tell your Congressional members that it would be unacceptable to pass any healthcare legislation that would not require insurance companies to cover mental health services!"