Your home for professional counseling
Advancing the counseling profession, mental health and well-being through education, advocacy, community, inclusion and research.
What Is the Counseling Compact?
The Counseling Compact is an agreement among states to legislatively recognize other states’ counseling licenses.
Latest Update:
FEATURED EVENT
2026 Hill Day
Join us Sept. 16-17 on Capitol Hill as we advocate for counselors and the counseling profession.
Latest News
HHS Announces More Than $700 Million in Behavioral Health Funding
Jun 22, 2026|1 min read
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced more than $700 million in behavioral health funding opportunities to address mental illness, substance use disorders and homelessness.
529 Plan Changes: How These Accounts Can Be More Beneficial for Counselors
Jun 22, 2026|2 min read
H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, was signed into law in July 2025. Among many other provisions, the changes to 529 plans could positively affect counselors and their financial situation.
History Is Made: Indiana Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines
Jun 8, 2026|3 min read
Alexandria, Va. (June 8, 2026) — As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Indiana is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines.
History Is Made: Georgia Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines
Jun 2, 2026|4 min read
Alexandria, Va. (June 2, 2026) — As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Georgia is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines.
Share Your Story: How Insurance Practices Affect Counselors and Clients
Jun 1, 2026|1 min read
Insurers (including Medicaid managed care organizations) have been aggressively pursuing clawbacks, reimbursement reductions, downcoding, and other “cost-saving” approaches. This is enormously disruptive and harmful for the counseling community.
Legal Protections for Conversion Therapy Survivors in Colorado
May 20, 2026|2 min read
Colorado HB26-1322, “Legal Protections for Conversion Therapy Survivors,” has passed the Colorado General Assembly and is currently awaiting action by Governor Jared Polis. Because the legislature adjourned May 13, 2026, the Governor...
John C. Nance to Serve as ACA’s 2026-2027 President-Elect
May 19, 2026|2 min read
We are pleased to announce that John C. Nance, PhD, LCMHC-S, NCC, has been elected the 2026 – 2027 ֲý (ACA) president-elect. He will begin his term on July 1.
Rule Finalized Reducing Access to Federal Student Loans
May 4, 2026|2 min read
The Trump Administration has finalized its rule reducing counseling students’ access to federal student loans. Starting July 1, 2026, as part of provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the U.S. Department of Education (ED)...
Advocacy Win- CareSource of Ohio Suspends Planned Clawbacks
May 4, 2026|2 min read
Counselors in Ohio reported that CareSource, a nonprofit Medicaid managed care organization (MCO), was planning on taking back payments for behavioral health services after reviewing past claims.
History Is Made: Louisiana Allows Counselors to Practice Across State Lines
Apr 20, 2026|3 min read
As part of the historic interstate Counseling Compact agreement, Louisiana is the latest state that can now start granting privileges to licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines.
Announcing the Winners of the ֲýAwards for Achievement and Excellence in Professional Counseling
Apr 6, 2026|4 min read
Every year the ֲý (ACA) recognizes excellence in research, career and humanitarian achievement among counseling professionals and students with its awards and honors program.
Supreme Court Ruling in Chiles v. Salazar Poses Serious Threat to LGBTQ+ Rights and to Professional Counselors Nationwide
Apr 2, 2026|4 min read
Alexandria, Va. — In Chiles v. Salazar, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy, the practice of trying to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The March 31 ruling compromises the ethical standards...
Counseling Awareness Month Celebrates the Pivotal Work of Counselors in Strengthening Mental Health
Apr 1, 2026|3 min read
Alexandria, Va. (April 1, 2026) — To honor and recognize the counseling profession and to increase public awareness about when and how to engage with a counselor, the ֲý (ACA) celebrates Counseling Awareness Month each April.
Tennessee LPC/MFT Licensure Board Update
Apr 1, 2026|1 min read
The Tennessee General Assembly advanced a bill (SB 2227/ HB 2539) that would eliminate the Licensed Professional Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy Board and house the administrative functions of the board under a Department of Health commission.
TIPSHEET: Counseling Experts Present Latest Research at the 2026 ֲýConference & Expo, April 9–11 in Columbus, Ohio
Mar 30, 2026|4 min read
SELECT RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Broaching Current Events with Clients, April 10, 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET Current events can profoundly affect mental health, yet many counselors struggle with when and how to address sociopolitical realities in session.
Research Highlights at 2026 ֲýConference & Expo: Disaster’s Effect on Children, Mental Health Misinformation, How Body Acceptance Can Lead to Flourishing in Middle Age + More
Mar 26, 2026|5 min read
The 2026 ֲýConference & Expo, the premier professional development and networking event for professional counselors, will feature 200+ education sessions, organized across 24 mental health and counseling topic areas.
New Survey Reveals Professional Counselors Concerns About Consumers Use of AI for Mental Health Therapy
Mar 18, 2026|3 min read
With the rising popularity of artificial intelligence, consumers today are increasingly turning to AI for assistance in a variety of ways, including for mental health support.
Student Loan Borrowers Sue the Department of Education
Mar 11, 2026|1 min read
Student loan borrowers have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education, asserting that the Trump Administration must restart the SAVE plan. The SAVE plan, created under the Biden Administration, is an income-driven repayment program designed...
ֲý to Hold 2026 ֲýConference & Expo
Mar 10, 2026|1 min read
The 2026 ֲýConference & Expo is the premier professional development and networking event for professional counselors.
ֲý Adds TheraNest to Prestigious Strategic Partner Network
Feb 27, 2026|3 min read
The ֲý (ACA) is pleased to announce that TheraNest by Ensora Health has been selected as the newest addition to its Strategic Partner Network.
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