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New Bill Authorizes Medicare Reimbursement for Counselors as Part of the Fight Against Opioids

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) introduced a bill April 17 that takes a multi-pronged approach to combatting the opioid epidemic and includes language that would allow mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to participate in the ...

Maryland Legislature Passes Conversion Therapy Bill

The Maryland State Legislature recently passed a measure that would ban the practice of conversion therapy on minors. The bill now goes to Governor Hogan for his signature. The legislation would impose fines or license suspension or revocation on ...

Get Ready. April is Counseling Awareness Month!

Each year, the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ designates April as Counseling Awareness Month. The celebration, first held in 2002, was created to recognize the important work done by professional counselors and to draw attention to the many ways ...

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Member Support Helped to Significantly Increase Funding for Student Mental Health Programs

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ (ACA) thanks its members for supporting ÀÖ²©´«Ã½efforts to increase funding for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Program (SSAE). You heard our call. With support from ...

Medicare Reimbursement Measure Builds Momentum

The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½â€™s signature legislative priority—Medicare reimbursement for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)—gained support and momentum in three ways over the past few weeks. As a result, everyone in favor ...

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ and the American School Counselor Association Announce New Collaborative Relationship

The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ (ACA) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) are pleased to announce a new collaborative relationship that will support continued growth of both organizations as we continue to serve the best interests ...

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY): Health Care Advocate, Champion of Counseling for Veterans

?We are saddened by the sudden death of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter,? ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ CEO Richard Yep said.

In Support of Counselors and Students Seeking a Reduction in Gun Violence

The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ recently adopted a resolution calling for more school counselors to support children affected by gun trauma.

Washington State Passes Bill Banning Conversion Therapy on Minors

The Washington State Legislature passed a measure that bans conversion therapy on minors. Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D) is expected to sign the bill soon. (This bill was signed into law by the governor on March 28th.) The legislation would impose ...

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Calls for More School Counselors to Support Children Affected by Gun Trauma

On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the Executive Committee of the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ adopted a resolution supporting and highlighting the role that school counselors play in addressing the anxiety, stress, and trauma students experience after a school ...

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Names National Award Winners

The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ and the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ Foundation are pleased to announce the 76 winners of their annual awards competitions for professional counselors and counseling students.

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½CEO Richard Yep's Congressional Testimony on Opioids and Medicare Reimbursement Legislation

Responding to a request for policy recommendations on the opioid crisis, ÀÖ²©´«Ã½CEO Richard Yep has written to the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee concerning the role counselors play in fighting the opioid crisis.  Mr. ...

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Announces 68th President

Heather Trepal, Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Approved Supervisor (LPC-S, Texas), will begin her term as ÀÖ²©´«Ã½President-Elect on July 1, 2018, and will begin serving as ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ President on July 1, 2019.

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Stands in Support of Parkland, Florida: Free Resources Are Available for Counselors

The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ is saddened by the tragedy in South Florida and holds the Stoneman Douglas High School Community in its thoughts.

Spending Deal Clears Way for Action on 2018 Health-Care Programs

Congress unexpectedly passed a wide-ranging budget deal that should avoid any further spending crises this year and allow completion of the 2018 spending plan including health-care programs..

Puerto Rico: The Crisis Continues

Nearly five months after Hurricane Maria upended life for everyone in its path, Puerto Rico remains in critical condition. Power has not been completely restored to the island?and some areas are not expected to have power until May. An estimated ...

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Takes Action Against State-Based Legislation Threatening Licensure for Counselors

Attacks on couselor licensure boards are becoming more frequent. ÀÖ²©´«Ã½is working with Arizona counselors to fight a bill that would eliminate the licensure process for counselors and other mental health professionals in that state.

ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Participates in the American Association of State Counseling Boards Conference

Staff from the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ attended the national counseling licensure boards conference to keep up with changes in licensing and to discuss portability with licensure board members.

White House Supports Additional Type of Group Health-Care Insurance Plan

Late last month, the White House proposed new rules that would make it easier for small businesses, sole proprietors, and individuals to group together in ?association? to buy insurance in the large group market. These association plans, as they are ...

December Federal/State Update: Washington Was Busy But Punted on Funding the Government

Congress earned its pay for one month by passing a huge tax cut and the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act among other bills, but punted on finally passing the bill to keep all the federal agencies funded for 2018.