American Counseling Association (ACA)

Overview:

Profession(s): Counseling
Scope: National - United States
Formed: 1952
Members: 44,000
Address: 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22304, USA
Phone: 800-347-6647
Fax: 800-473-2329
Website: www.counseling.org

Description:

The American Counseling Association is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. Founded in 1952, ACA is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings.

By providing leadership training, publications, continuing education opportunities, and advocacy services to nearly 44,000 members, ACA helps counseling professionals develop their skills and expand their knowledge base.

ACA has been instrumental in setting professional and ethical standards for the counseling profession. The association has made considerable strides in accreditation, licensure, and national certification. It also represents the interests of the profession before congress and federal agencies, and strives to promote recognition of professional counselors to the public and the media.

Mission/Aims:

Vision
The American Counseling Association is the publicly recognized organization to which all professional counselors belong.

Mission
The mission of the American Counseling Association is to enhance the quality of life in society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the counseling profession, and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity.

Principal Activities:

One major convention, four region leadership training meetings. Most state branches hold an annual convention as well.

Member Benefits:

Leadership training, an award winning monthly newspaper, books, audiotapes, videotapes, and journals, continuing education opportunities, and advocacy services. The Association has a Code of Ethics which defines specifically the ethical practice of members, clarifying the nature of ethical responsibilities of all its members.

Training/Licensing/Certification:

40-50 National workshops are held at the annual convention, as well as 500 education sessions, offering continuing education units.

Affiliations:

Associations to which we are a member:
Chi Sigma Iota (CSI)

Verification Criteria:

48 states, as well as the District of Columbia, have enacted some type of counselor credentialing law which regulates the use of titles related to the counseling profession and/or regulates the practice of professional counseling. While the term "Licensed Professional Counselor" is the most frequently used by state regulatory boards, it is sometimes difficult to determine from the title of the law what is being regulated. Some states license counselors but in reality only regulate the use of titles. There are some states that certify counselors but actually regulate the practice of counseling as well as who may call themselves professional counselors.