As we move the discipline of counseling into a season of stability, increased professionalism and sustainability, we must place greater emphasis on research in counseling. There are four primary reasons for this impetus. First, by prioritizing counseling research, we move forward as a discipline to our next developmental step — from
Category: From the President
Over the past few years, our association has sought to enhance its visibility within the global counseling community. The standing ACA International Committee historically has been charged with highlighting counseling issues that affect our international members, as well as those global issues that have import for our overall membership. However,
It has always been intriguing to note the low percentage of members who volunteer for professional service. Despite the numerous studies that have shown that service to the profession offers both tangible and intangible benefits, organizational leaders continue to reach out to their members, imploring them to serve. Perhaps people
I recently had the distinct pleasure of attending the centennial conference of the National Career Development Association, held, quite appropriately, in Boston. I have long asserted that the core value of social justice in counseling is an intrinsic part of our identity, as it has been since Frank Parsons’ early outreach
N ow that the delegates of 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling have had their final deliberations, it is time for all of us to reflect on the outcomes of the labor of those individuals from 31 of the most influential organizations in counseling. Unification of the profession?
One of the most disheartening experiences I have had as a counselor educator was overhearing a counselor sound ashamed and apologetic about our profession. Admittedly, counselors do experience a disproportionate amount of marginalization within the mental health community. When we take a look at the job descriptions, we are noticeably
The year has flown by very quickly and we have accomplished a great deal together, both as the American Counseling Association family and the larger counseling profession. There are many accomplishments I would like to share with you and many people to thank in the brief space available, but let
If you did not attend the 61st annual ACA Conference & Expo in Cincinnati, you missed an incredible experience. Almost 3,500 counselors converged on the Queen City for education, fellowship, food and fun. Even though it was a bit chilly and the city sent us home on Sunday with a
We owe so much to those who have supported, influenced and nurtured our development as professionals and people. After completing a master’s degree in school psychology and working in the public schools near Richmond, Va., in a hybrid role of school counselor/psychologist, I decided to pursue my doctoral degree in
The Who, performing “Who Are You?,” was playing in my head this morning. The song was released in 1978 but easily could have been inspired by the events of 1964, when the band transformed its identity and went through four name changes in a single year: from The Detours to