From March 30 to April 3, 1952, four independent associations — the National Vocational Guidance Association, the National Association of Guidance and Counselor Trainers, the Student Personnel Association for Teacher Education and the American College Personnel Association — convened at a joint convention in Los Angeles with the goal of providing a larger and stronger professional voice. During that convention, the four organizations joined together to establish the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA), which today is known as the American Counseling Association.
With ACA celebrating its 60th year as an organization, Counseling Today asked those individuals who have spent time at its helm, the ACA presidents, to look back on their terms in office. Although each leader’s reflection is unique — recalling empowering speakers, natural disasters and national crises through the years — the overall sentiment is consistent. These reflections reveal a strong pride in promoting diversity, enhancing the counseling profession and creating strong bonds that last well beyond their year serving as ACA president.
Garry R. Walz (1971-1972)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
Presiding at the 1971 APGA Senate — note the older name — and national conference in Chicago during a huge blizzard that confined people to the hotel.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
Changing the way our governance was managed from a large Senate to the new streamlined, representative body.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
An increased focus on the use of technology for communication and developing group cohesion, leading to the current widespread use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
ACA has demonstrated in the most vivid terms how trained counselors can make a difference for the better in people’s lives.
Thelma Daley (1975-1976)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
The memory that stands out most would revolve around the size of the membership at the time and the excitement of becoming a more diverse organization.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
It is a bit difficult to remember the most significant thing that happened during my tenure. However, it was the beginning of a movement toward greater acceptance of a multicultural membership, which was not always easy in our great organization.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
My tenure coincided with the so-called “Me Period,” the increase in malpractice insurance, the opening of military academies to women and the founding of Apple Computer and Microsoft. All of these events have in some way related to aspects of the profession’s growth and even advocacy involvement.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
ACA has allowed me to grow and to meet some of the top persons in the field. Because of my personal respect for the organization, I have wholeheartedly encouraged students and unattached counselors to become a part of the world’s greatest counseling organization. It has given me the opportunity to form some lasting friendships with some wonderful people throughout the nation.
Betty Knox (1978-1979)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
In 1977, a major decision was made to relocate the APGA headquarters offices from Washington, D.C., to northern Virginia. To facilitate that process, our legal counsel suggested that an APGA Foundation be created wherein the assets from the sale of 1607-1609 New Hampshire Ave. NW and our building behind those buildings on Corcoran Street could be deposited as designated building funds and thus protected from general fund uses. The APGA Foundation was incorporated, and the sale, rental of temporary headquarters and purchase of property for the construction of our present headquarters building were completed. The late Dr. Charles L. Lewis, APGA executive director during that period of our history, provided significant foresight and leadership to the staff, officers and board. I remember how proud I was to sign those documents for the foundation and the sale of property.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
The growth and professionalism experienced by APGA in the 1970s was highly significant, as reflected in the largest division, the American School Counselor Association, and the growth of school counseling in the U.S. and abroad. The counseling profession became a respected and integral part of the educational delivery system from elementary [school] through college. The role descriptions of counselors, the definition of counseling, professional ethics and standards, licensure, national certification for counselors and federal funding for elementary through postsecondary settings were among the major issues addressed by APGA and ASCA. The first national counseling legislation was enacted as a result of our governmental relations and influence.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
Yes, in the 1970s, the desegregation of public schools in the U.S.; the increase in the recognition and provision for clients who have special needs physically, mentally, emotionally and socially; the role of individual counseling, group counseling, religious-based counseling, counseling needs and provision for minority populations; the number of women who held the top positions in APGA/ACA and its divisions; the roles of women in our society; federal funding for school counseling; and more. That was a period of rapid growth and change both in our society and in our profession that has contributed to our great nation and continues to do so.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
In the 1970s as a young school counselor, I was elected to serve as president of NCSCA, NCPGA, ASCA and then APGA, all of which now have somewhat different names. That decade transformed both my personal and professional lives, which are intertwined. My horizons were greatly broadened to include not only my state and all of the U.S., but also international locations where APGA and ASCA were organized.
Those experiences laid the groundwork for my future professional growth and development in employment, consulting, speaking engagements, volunteer activities and even the political arena. Among the greatest blessings of those experiences are the lifelong connections with whom I became both personal and professional friends. I write this response with the deepest of respect and gratitude for our professional associations. Congratulations to ACA on the 60th anniversary!
David Capuzzi (1986-1987)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
A very dynamic, growing association with almost 50,000 members and a Governing Council composed of 45 members. Agendas for the meetings of the Governing Council were comprised of issues — many controversial and cutting edge — submitted by state branches, divisions and regions. Grass-roots participation was at an all-time high.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
I was the first president, I think, ever to promote a diversity theme. Over a dozen of our journals did special issues on some aspect of the diversity theme for that year.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
The middle ’80s marked the beginning of the use of the Internet for email within ACA. Interest in the importance of developing a multicultural worldview was beginning. The importance of addressing the needs of the elderly as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender clients was beginning to be discussed and accepted. New divisions were being proposed for inclusion in ACA. And there was a willingness to collaborate and reach consensus when issues were addressed or needed to be resolved. It was a very positive period in the evolvement of ACA and the counseling profession.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
On a personal level, involvement in ACA has precipitated lifelong friendships that I value and that might never have occurred without the opportunity to be part of the ACA network. On a professional level, involvement in ACA has kept me more current and better able to serve those I have worked with in my roles as a counselor and counselor educator.
Brooke Collison (1987-1988)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
It’s always great to see how the organization can come together and do good things in spite of the individual and organizational differences which we represent. I’m a firm believer in the deliberative process and, at its best, ACA demonstrates that things can happen. I also have wonderful memories of the Chicago convention — an example of constant and continual noise reflecting new ideas and activities which advance our profession.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
During the years I held office, it was good to see the organization step out to become more involved with and accepting of individual differences. An example would be the decision to publish and distribute a small but very good pamphlet titled “When a Friend Has AIDS.” This was a time in the organization when some thought we shouldn’t be distributing such a document. It is also the time when AGLBIC (now the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling) took hold and moved in a direction of benefit to us all. They were small steps in one respect, but giant in another — steps I’m proud of.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
The development of standards, ethical guidelines, licensing, availability of liability insurance and other forms of professionalization moved in a positive direction in the years I held office. They continue to be at the forefront of association activity today. I often think that new counselors who are unaware of the struggles present in creating the things that many take for granted today are missing an important part of their heritage. The effort of the early-day members makes the life of contemporary practitioners much easier.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
Belonging to ACA has always been a key part of who I see myself as being. It is the place that gave me a knowledge base and a friend base which have both been valuable components. It is good to see that the organization continues to change and grow. I would like to think that I have continued to change and grow with it, even though I am retired and proudly claim “emeritus” as part of my identity.
Marianne Mitchell (1991-1992)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
The Bilateral Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, was a memorable event. Counseling professionals from numerous countries came together for professional development and fellowship. Friendships among internationals were formed. Participants commented that the experience had widened their professional as well as their personal vision.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
It was thrilling to see such a significant number of ACA members descend on Capitol Hill to talk with their state legislators during the Baltimore convention. The Government Relations Committee worked very hard to prepare members for their visit to Capitol Hill. Upon their return to the convention, the most often-repeated comment I heard was their sense of empowerment and their resolve to return to their communities determined to use the legislative process to bring about change.
Also, the association changed its name to the American Counseling Association during the Governing Council meeting in Baltimore.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
The establishment of professional counseling organizations in other countries accelerated. Counseling continued to become more accepted as a profession nationwide due to counselor credentialing.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
It was very rewarding to meet dedicated, hardworking counseling colleagues from around the country. It was a privilege to work with the staff at headquarters as well. Friendships have led to continuing professional collaboration and personal support.
Lee Richmond (1992-1993)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
There are many memories, but I suspect the one that stands out most vividly relates to convention. The convention-planned events, glorious in intent, had to be radically changed because of a freak and very unexpected snowstorm in Atlanta. The storm just about crippled the unprepared city, stopping all transportation and stranding members who were in the process of arriving and hotel workers as well. But it did not cripple ACA. Those of us who “got there” carried forth with vigor. Although we did not do our march to the Martin Luther King Center as planned, I took the walk on behalf of the association. Thanks to ACA management, an association car driven by a longtime staff member followed me there and back.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
During my time as president, the first year of the last governance restructuring took place. ACA became leaner and more adaptable to the association needs and values at that time. I understand that restructuring is [being discussed] again now, and probably for the same reason.
Another significant happening was fiscal. ACA was having financial [troubles] at the time. They were uncovered by governance and … there came to be greater member interest and openness about money matters.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
It was during my presidency that the theme “Development, Diversity and Dignity” was adopted, and the idea stuck with us. I think it was because I asked the region chairs and the division presidents to select the theme for the year. Group thought created a theme that was based on human worth and social justice, and it remained permanent within ACA.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
Because of my involvement with ACA, I was able to meet some very caring people, some very great counselors across generations. I got to know scholars like Donald Super and Gilbert Wrenn and scholar leaders who are still active and too numerous to name. Finally, I was able to meet young students then who are today’s ACA leaders. Several people with whom I worked on ACA projects still inspire me and are my closest friends to this day.
Doris Coy (1994-1995)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
The opportunity to meet and dialogue with counselors on the local, state, regional, national and international levels about the profession of counseling and the work being done by the American Counseling Association to meet the needs of counselors and their clients.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
The financial history of ACA needed to be addressed. The loss for 1992 was $15,507; for 1993, $892,303; for 1994, $417,684.
The treasurer, Rich Mozier, and I made major adjustments to the budget for 1995. The adjusted budget was presented to the Governing Council, passed and became known as the “half a loaf” budget. The profit for 1995 was $981,815.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
The theme for the year was “Celebrating Diversity Through the Art of Counseling.” The opening session for the convention in Denver was “Promoting Human Dignity and Development Through Diversity.” A panel of ACA counselors highlighted progress that ACA had made regarding its support and advocacy of multicultural and diversity counseling and outlined specific strategies ACA could take in the future to address this issue.
The second general session featured Dr. Mel White, the dean of the Cathedral of Hope, which was the largest gay-lesbian congregation in the nation. Dr. White addressed what it was like to be gay in America. He accepted ACA’s invitation because he believed that “counselors are the only thing that stands between gay people and total depression.” He further stated, “I’m looking forward to bringing the plea from the million of my gay brothers and sisters that counselors hold the lifeline — if they don’t get it, nobody will.”
These two topics continue to be areas that need to be addressed by the counseling profession and society as a whole.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
The opportunity to develop lifelong friendships and to continue to be a spokesperson for the counseling profession.
Joyce Breasure (1995-1996)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
The amazing people I met who still hold a major place in my life today. I was the youngest person to be elected to the ACA presidency at the time and the first clinical mental health counselor and gerontologist in private practice to be president. So, I was not exactly what was typical of the ACA leadership. So many people stepped up to help me. I was amazed and will always be thankful and honored.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
When I became President, ACA was in turmoil. The leaderships from both AMHCA (the American Mental Health Counselors Association) and ASCA were threatening to leave ACA because ACA did not fit their needs and did not represent them. And ACA was in a financial mess. So, two of the things I considered major were keeping the divisions and regions within the national group and putting ACA on a firm financial footing. I believe asking Dr. Betty Hedgeman to become my ACA treasurer was one of the wisest things I could have done. She actually went on to be the ACA treasurer for several presidents after me. This gave ACA the continuity it needed in the financial arena, and numerous long-term policies were initiated.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
My theme for the year was the holistic arena of the mind, the body and the spirit. I believed that to treat someone mentally, you had to work with the whole person. This has gone on to become a national movement. In following this path, you also have to recognize the culture and the heritage of the person. This has also come to be a major focus in the healing arena. Credentialing of the profession was a major emphasis for me. Now certification and licensure is just considered a part of the professional journey.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
It was a home for me when I was a practicing therapist. The journals and newspapers kept me abreast of the counseling world. Personally, it provided me with lifelong friends who were with me in times of great difficulty and continue to be extended family now. I am so blessed to have met them and to have the ACA leadership journey in my life.
Gail Robinson (1996-1997)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
Conducting Governing Council meetings. The agenda went on for pages and the meetings lasted the better part of three days.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
We made a strong effort to draft new bylaws that would have facilitated making desired changes to the organization. It was defeated, however.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession has evolved?
Significant gains were being made in establishing state licensure laws. Counseling was taking on a much more widely recognized professional role.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
ACA gave me a truly professional identity.
Courtland C. Lee (1997-1998)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
It is very hard for me to isolate one memory. What stands out most are the collective memories of traveling to every part of the country and meeting and working with the dedicated people who make up the membership of ACA at the state, regional and national levels.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
When I assumed the presidency, ACA was in a precarious state financially, and several divisions that were philosophically opposed to the mission of ACA were threatening to disaffiliate. My leadership objective was to build consensus around our core values as professional counselors regardless of our various work settings or specialties. Within this context, the ACA Governing Council approved a policy that allowed members a degree of choice regarding their membership in the association and its divisions. Both of these measures helped to stave off division measures to disaffiliate.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
When I was ACA president, the Internet was still in its infancy. The primary means of communication were the telephone and the U.S. Postal Service. No one I knew, including me, owned a cell phone. However, it was obvious to me that the Internet, and with it the widespread use of email as a primary means of communication, were about to change not only the world, but the way ACA would be conducting its business in the future.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
As I became more involved in leadership positions in ACA over the years, I developed a network of friends and colleagues who have now become an important personal and professional support system. I have accumulated a large repository of memories of good times spent with ACA colleagues as we engaged in counseling/leadership activities in all parts of the world.
Most importantly, however, my service to ACA has given me an opportunity to give back to a profession which has been very good to me. It gives me a great sense of pride and accomplishment when I see that my ACA involvement has benefited my colleagues, students and the profession as a whole.
Loretta J. Bradley (1998-1999)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
The selection of our ACA presidential theme, “Advocacy: A Voice for Our Clients and Communities,” is a memory that stands out. I think the advocacy concept has been an important component of our profession.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
The implementation of the concept of advocacy and encouraging counselors to advocate for their clients at various levels was a significant event.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
When I was president of ACA, the bylaws for Counselors for Social Justice were approved. I think the concept of social justice has had a profound impact on society as well as the counseling profession.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
ACA has been my professional home. I have always had trust in ACA to focus on the welfare of its members. ACA has provided me with both personal and professional networks. Through ACA, I have been able to make many friends, personal and professional. ACA has been a cornerstone for my professional journey, and I thank ACA and its members for their support and encouragement throughout my career.
Donna Ford (1999-2000)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
It is difficult to choose since there are so many. One of the memories includes several aspects. It was the opportunity to work with a group of people who shared a common interest in “best practices” for online counseling (cybercounseling) and their willingness to contribute and support my goal to introduce ACA members to the topic.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
The publication of the first ethical standards for online counseling; the first publication about online counseling, Cybercounseling and Cyberlearning: Strategies and Resources for the Millennium; featured Learning Institutes and workshops about cybercounseling at the annual ACA conference; and the opportunity to provide best practice guidelines related to the use of technology and counseling.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
Yes, my goal for the year was to provide best practice guidelines for members of ACA about the emerging trends in technology and the practice of online counseling. I continue to believe that technology will have a profound influence on the way counselors will deliver services and [believe in] the importance of ongoing leadership in this area. The emergence of social media, apps, Skype, etc., are just a few of the new technologies that provide opportunity and challenge for the counseling profession.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
My participation in leadership at the state, regional, division and governance [levels] and as ACA president has been an enriching professional experience. The opportunity to serve, meet and work with a diverse group of leaders, emerging leaders, members and ACA staff has been a remarkable journey.
Jane Goodman (2001-2002)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
It is really a mélange of memories of people: people being welcoming when I visited their branch or division; the collaborative work of Governing Council; the caring and warmth of staff, in particular the ongoing help and support from Executive Director Rich Yep; the friendships I made that last to this day — over 10 years later. I remember how closely I worked with Judy Lewis, past president, and David Kaplan, president-elect, and then Mark Pope, president-elect-elect.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
Sept. 11, 2001. I was in the air returning from a conference in Scotland. Our plane was diverted to Toronto, and I only learned what had happened after we were searched extensively and released to the waiting area. We had a Governing Council meeting scheduled [that we had] to cancel, and then we needed to plan our response. It was complicated by the fact that New York did not yet have licensure, so counselors were not seen as appropriate responders by the Red Cross. Staff got wonderful information on the website. We managed to enlist volunteers for New York City as well as for other sites since, clearly, the whole country was traumatized by these events.
Personally, it was helpful to be able to “do something,” and the events affirmed for me the importance of having ACA “at my back” as a counselor. I was humbled by the offers of my colleagues to help and impressed by the staff’s expertise in responding.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
Disaster response began to be seen as more important and more prominent. Other changes were more incremental, as licensure became more widespread and issues of ethics, insurance and so on became more central to counseling as a profession.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
I joined ACA as a student. My professors expected that of us. At first, it was only a source of journals; later, a source of continuing education and growth as I began to attend conferences. I became involved in leadership at the state level, then at the division level and later with ACA directly through committees, Governing Council and, in time, as president. In all of these connections I felt a sense of belonging to my profession, connection with colleagues from around the country and, to some extent, around the globe, and that I mattered as a professional and as a person. ACA has been there for me in times of personal struggle and transition, and as a place to celebrate good times in my life also. I can’t imagine my life without ACA.
Colleen Logan (2008-2009)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
The absolutely extraordinary experience of introducing and then listening to Judy Shepard poignantly share her story at the ACA Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Her courage, determination and unparalleled commitment to social justice and equality for all, in spite of what happened to her precious son Matthew, has forever changed who I am and what I do. I am so grateful to and for Judy.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
The most significant thing that happened during my presidency was a change in ACA’s editorial policy for Counseling Today that brought us in line with our sister organizations in terms of what kinds of letters are appropriate for publication, specifically reflecting the reality that the written and spoken word can hurt as well as heal. Our policy now allows for a diversity of opinion, while also requiring a professional level of discourse, reflecting more effectively a diverse and inclusive organization. I am very, very proud of this accomplishment.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
I was keenly aware of both the power and possible pitfalls of technology and social media. I am very pleased to see ACA incorporating technology more fully to communicate with membership, mental health consumers and myriad other constituents. I am also pleased to see that the global, multicultural community of counselors is becoming more connected and, thus, more powerful and influential with regard to healing the world. I also noted time and again ACA’s potential to serve on the forefront of social justice, advocacy and equal rights. I hope that our organization can continue its efforts in the pursuit of these critically important human rights for all, even when we don’t have perfect consensus. We are all, after all, all human.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
It was and remains an extraordinary privilege to serve as president of the American Counseling Association Personally, I was challenged to stretch and grow in terms of how I think about counseling from an international perspective in particular. And professionally, I developed a broader and more complex view of what it means to serve a diverse constituency moving toward common goals, work through disagreement and systemic challenges, improve communication and achieve great things together. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I am humbled by all I learned, and I would never have had the opportunity or made an impact without the work and dedication of those who served before me and the support of my family.
Lynn E. Linde (2009-2010)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
There are two. The first was that in July 2009, we held the first annual leadership institute (the ACA Institute for Leadership Training), which changed the model for leadership training. The branch, region and division leadership attended the three-day event in Alexandria (Va.), during which a wealth of information and opportunities to network were provided. It was a successful activity.
The second memory is from the International Association for Counselling Conference in Romania, which began just prior to the eruption of the volcano in Iceland. Air travel stopped, and we didn’t know when we would be able to get home. We returned a week later.
What do you view as the most significant thing that happened during your time as president?
California’s licensure bill was signed by their governor, which meant that counselors in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were finally eligible to be licensed. Virginia was the first state to achieve licensure in 1976; it took 34 years for everyone to have licensure.
During your time as president, did you take note of any new trends or developments that went on to have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession evolved?
Probably the most significant development was the beginning of the revisions to the DSM (the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). We appointed a task force, which worked very hard to gather input from ACA members and provide that information to APA (the American Psychiatric Association, which publishes the DSM). The task force also updated members on the progress of the revisions. The final DSM-5 will significantly impact both the way in which counselors and other mental health professionals practice and the welfare of our clients, so it was important for us to become involved.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
I love the profession of counseling and ACA, so becoming the president was an incredible honor. I had a wonderful three years representing the association, meeting counselors from across the country and around the world and being able to advocate for the profession. I had opportunities I never would have had otherwise. I will always be grateful for the experiences I had and, I hope, the difference that I was able to make.
Don W. Locke (2011-2012)
What memory stands out most to you from your time as ACA president?
Since I am currently serving, each day provides a new memory. One of the most memorable was standing this year with a large group of graduate students and realizing that they were the profession’s future and realizing the challenge I had to work to ensure that they would have jobs and a strong profession in the future.
What do you view as the most significant thing that has happened during your time as president?
The realization that we as an association must stand together to become stronger. The continued development and progress of the 20/20 initiative (20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling), the efforts of the Governing Council to look at a restructuring process that would benefit all of the ACA membership, the development of a graduate student mentoring program and ACA taking a stand on issues such as the DSM-5. No one issue is the most significant. They come together to make ACA stronger.
During your time as president, have you taken note of any new trends or developments that might have a significant impact on the way ACA or the counseling profession will evolve?
Currently, as a profession, we must face technology and the growth of social media and determine how we are going to incorporate it into what we do. We must also understand how fast changes occur and be prepared to make necessary changes quickly.
What has ACA meant to you in your personal and professional journey?
I talked about “payback time” when I started this year. ACA has been a significant part of my personal and professional life for over 40 years. I sincerely hope that I have taken this year and given back in a way that will make the organization and the profession stronger because I came this way at this time.
Heather Rudow is a staff writer for Counseling Today. Contact her at hrudow@counseling.org.
Letters to the editor: ct@counseling.org