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Press Release

Press Release

M. Elsa Soto Leggett Begins Term as ֲý President

Elsa Soto Leggett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, professor and practicum/internship coordinator at Truman State University and sole proprietor of Shelter Counseling and Supervision, began her term as ֲý2025–2026 president on July 1.

Latest News


  • Federal Funding for Counseling
    Feb 7, 2023|1 min read

    The $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill (also known as “spending legislation”), is the year-long federal government spending package that will keep the federal government operating through the end of the fiscal ...

  • ֲý Names New Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
    Jan 25, 2023|3 min read

    ֲý Names New Chief Communications and Marketing OfficerStacy Brooks Whatley Joins ACAAlexandria, Va. (January 25, 2023) – The ֲý (ACA) has named Stacy Brooks Whatley as chief ...

  • We Did It! Medicare Reimbursement Now Law
    Dec 23, 2022|2 min read

    For over a decade, the ֲý and its partner organizations have advocated for the successful passage of the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828/H.R. 432). Although this bill has previously passed the U.S. House ...

Media Mentions


Published November 18, 2025 on The Post

Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Joe Burrow Foundation have partnered on a new program, the Burrow Blueprint, to provide and support mental health treatment in Appalachian Ohio schools. ֲýPast President Christine Suniti Bhat explains the importance of providing mental health services to students in rural Appalachian Ohio.

Aired September 25, 2025 on Spectrum News Columbus

More should be done to combat the dark side of social media that can endanger kids and teenagers. ֲýPast President Christine Suniti Bhat discusses the dangers of social media, its influence on societal pressures on young people and the role of parental supervision in protecting them.

Published August 27, 2025 in CNN

As AI chatbots become a popular way to access cost-free counseling and companionship, a patchwork of state regulation is emerging, restricting how the technology can be used in therapy practice. ACA’s AI work group member Russell Fulmer provides insight on using AI in counseling in this article.

Published August 19, 2025 on Associated Press

Transitioning to a new home or school environment can be an anxious time for kids, with worries about making new friends and adapting to new routines. ACA’s President Elect Victoria Kress provides insight on how these changes can affect kids.