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Press Release

Press Release

Brian D. Banks Joins the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ as Its Next CEO

The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ (ACA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian D. Banks as its new chief executive officer. Banks is a nationally recognized leader in government affairs, public policy and strategic advocacy.

Latest News


  • HHS Publishes National Model Standards for Peer Support
    Jun 8, 2023|2 min read

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has published the National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification for substance use, mental ...

  • Vermont and Iowa Sign Interstate Counseling Compact into Law
    Jun 5, 2023|2 min read

    The dream of many licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines continued to move forward as forward as Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law their states’ Counseling Compact ...

  • U.S. Surgeon General Releases Report: 2023 SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
    May 24, 2023|4 min read

    On Tuesday, May 23, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. “The most common question parents ask me is, ‘Is social media safe for my kids?’ The answer is that we don't ...

Media Mentions


Published February 16, 2026 on NBC News New York

AI developers are creating opportunities to explore relationships with chatbots and to use AI technology to search for human companionship. However, results from a new survey of over 700 ÀÖ²©´«Ã½counselors show concern about developing unhealthy dependencies on chatbots.

Published February 13, 2026 on NBC News New York

There’s growing concern about the ability of AI to displace humans in the workforce. ACA’s AI Work Group co-chair, Russell Fulmer, talks with NBC News about what counselors are hearing from their clients.

Published February 11, 2026 on NBC News New York

Emerging AI technology is making it possible to create AI versions of deceased loved ones. But in a new survey of ÀÖ²©´«Ã½counselors, 89% says that these new grief bots interrupt the grieving process.

Published February 9, 2026 on NBC News

More the 700 ÀÖ²©´«Ã½counselors participated in an NBC News survey about the use and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on mental health. Olivia Uwamahoro, co-chair of ACA’s AI Work Group, explained why counselors are skeptical of the future of AI on mental health and wellness.