As the deadline to comment on proposed changes to the upcoming fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) draws near, the American Counseling Association and its DSM-5 Proposed Revision Task Force are asking members to share their comments and concerns with the American Psychiatric Association. Rebecca Daniel-Burke, ACA staff liaison to… continue reading
Amid concerns of the way its medical facilities are handling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other behavioral health evaluations, the Army on Wednesday launched a nationwide review of those facilities. As The Washington Post reports, the Army has decided to review diagnoses and evaluations made at all of its medical facilities since 2001 due to concerns that some… continue reading
The newest way to detect whether a person is depressed might be to survey the way he or she uses the Internet, according to researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Their new study reveals that college students who show signs of depression use the Internet differently from those who don’t show signs. The… continue reading
The American Counseling Association is now hiring for the following positions: Project Coordinator The American Counseling Association, the world’s largest private, not-for-profit organization dedicated exclusively to serving and promoting the counseling profession seeks a Project Coordinator for our busy Professional Projects & Career Services Department in Alexandria, VA. Responsibilities include assisting the department Director on… continue reading
Parents and teachers who punish their children or students using humiliating techniques are actually doing more harm than good, according to Andy Grogan-Kaylor, associate professor of social work at the University of Michigan. “The research is pretty clear that it’s never appropriate to shame a child or to make a child feel degraded or diminished,”… continue reading
Researchers from Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute in Toronto, the University of Michigan and Stanford University teamed up for a study that suggests that when paired with therapy, nature walks have positive cognitive benefits for individuals struggling with major depression. “Our study showed that participants with clinical depression demonstrated improved memory performance after a walk in nature [as compared… continue reading
The American Red Cross (ARC) is offering a Foundations of Disaster Mental Health (FDMH) training webinar on June 8 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. EDT. This three-hour webinar is available to eligible mental health professionals interested in working as disaster mental health (DMH) volunteers at the local and national level. The purpose of the course is… continue reading
Features
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity now affects 17 percent of U.S. children and adolescents, which adds up to roughly 12.5 million kids. Since 1980, obesity prevalence among this group has almost tripled. Among children and adolescents ages 2 to 19, being overweight translates to a body-mass index (BMI) at or above… continue reading
When Hilda Davis Carroll turned 60, she was between counseling positions following a layoff. As she watched the sun rise on the morning of her birthday, she thought to herself, “OK, I’m 60. Where do I go from here, and what am I going to do with the rest of my life?” The answer for… continue reading
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… continue reading
Cover Stories
Specialist, generalist or niche provider? When budding counselors finish their graduate programs and head out into the world with degrees in hand, they face an often complex decision — whether to specialize in a certain area of counseling in hopes of working with a particular type of client or issue or whether to serve a broad swath of clients presenting… continue reading
From the President
True specialization In my previous column, I discussed my belief that counselors are facing a critical time and that we need to be united regardless of our “specialization of practice” or the “location of practice.” This month I want to focus on my concerns regarding “true specialization.” I developed concerns about this designation first during counselor training… continue reading
From the Executive Director
Congrats to graduates and newly minted professional counselors Every May, the ACA staff and I excitedly anticipate welcoming a new cadre of professional counselors. As those of you who are earning your master’s or doctoral degrees reach the important milestone of graduation, we want you to know that the American Counseling Association stands ready to assist as you begin the next phase of… continue reading
Knowledge Share
The need for advocacy with African American parents African Americans are a complex cultural group. Although considered to be one culture, many cultural differences exist within this group. That same statement could be applied to any culture, but it is African Americans who have one of the most historically oppressive pasts and who continue to face numerous microaggressions along the lines of colorism, sexism… continue reading
