Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Empowering Professional Counselors Nationwide
We are the leading home for professional counseling, dedicated to advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, community engagement, inclusion, and research. Founded in 1952, our organization serves as the largest membership body for professional counselors and trainees, providing essential resources, advocacy, and professional development opportunities. Our mission drives us to empower counselors through initiatives like the Counseling Compact, which enables cross-state practice, and Suicide Prevention Month, addressing critical public health challenges. We publish influential journals, offer career development tools, and advocate for policy changes to improve access to mental health care.Our strategic partnerships and research grants foster innovation, while our membership tiers deliver tailored benefits to support counselors at every career stage. With a commitment to diversity and cultural competence, we address unique challenges faced by marginalized communities through specialized counseling interventions. Our team of experienced professionals works tirelessly to ensure counselors have the tools and recognition needed to deliver impactful client care nationwide.
Services
Counseling Advocacy
Membership Programs
Continuing Education
Research Grants
Counseling Compact
Career Development
Mental Health Resources
Publications
Suicide Prevention
Policy Updates
Details
- Year established: 1952
Highlights and features
- We advocate for counselor access to mental health funding and policy changes.
- Our Counseling Compact enables cross-state practice for licensed counselors.
- We publish leading counseling journals and research publications.
- We offer career development resources through Career Central.
- Our Suicide Prevention Month initiatives address critical public health needs.
Services
Counseling Advocacy
We champion mental health policy reforms at federal and state levels to expand counselor access to funding and improve client care standards. Our advocacy includes lobbying for Medicare coverage, reimbursement rates, and the Counseling Compact, which enables cross-state practice for licensed counselors.
Membership Programs
Our tiered membership provides counselors with exclusive resources, including networking opportunities, continuing education credits, and access to research publications. Members receive advocacy support, career development tools, and discounts on conferences and training programs.
Continuing Education
We offer accredited continuing education courses and certifications to help counselors maintain licensure and stay current with industry advancements. Our programs cover emerging mental health trends, ethical practices, and specialized counseling modalities for diverse populations.
Research Grants
Our Presidential Research Grants fund innovative studies addressing critical issues in counseling, such as culturally appropriate interventions for marginalized communities and self-employment challenges for Black women with disabilities. These grants advance evidence-based practices and policy solutions.
Counseling Compact
The Counseling Compact allows licensed counselors to practice across state lines without additional licenses, enhancing access to care in underserved areas. We coordinate with 38+ member states to streamline interstate practice and advocate for broader adoption.
People
Syvonne Carter
Interim CEO
Syvonne Carter serves as Interim CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience to advance ACA's mission of supporting professional counselors nationwide.
M. Elsa Soto Leggett
President
Dr. M. Elsa Soto Leggett is ACA President and a licensed professional counselor-supervisor with expertise in counseling education and supervision.
Questions
What does the American Counseling Association do?
We support professional counselors through advocacy, education, and resources to improve mental health care access and standards nationwide.
How can I join ACA's membership programs?
Visit our website to explore membership tiers and register for benefits like continuing education, publications, and networking opportunities.
What is the Counseling Compact?
It's an agreement allowing licensed counselors to practice across state lines, expanding care access without additional licensure requirements.
Does ACA offer career development resources?
Yes, Career Central provides job listings, resume tools, and guidance to help counselors advance their professional opportunities.
How does ACA support mental health research?
We fund research grants and publish journals covering multicultural counseling, disability interventions, and other critical mental health topics.
