Counseling Today - A Publication of the American Counseling Association

From pain to empowerment: Lessons learned through physical therapy

"I believe the lessons and approaches presented in the PT model of conducting therapy, albeit in the physical realm, apply in very concrete ways to our work as professional counselors."

From Combat to Counseling: Service members, veterans and military family mental health

There are not enough veterans in the counseling career field serving others in the military population. At the same time, that truth does not minimize the need for mental health counseling for the military population.

Member Insights

The pretend professional

Impostor syndrome — and the sense of self-doubt, insecurity and inadequacy that accompany it — isn’t a stranger to most counseling professionals, and that’s ultimately good news.

Online Exclusives

Voice of Experience: Giving away power

"He had no reason to trust me. If I had been in his shoes, I wouldn’t have trusted me either."

Knowledge Share

Facilitating support groups for caregivers

Professional counselors possess the skills to mold groups that offer caregivers a safe place to voice their strong feelings and stressful experiences while receiving authentic empathic understanding in return.

Online Exclusives

Caring vs. carrying: A therapeutic review of empathy and boundaries

Empathy allows for the full and complete exploration of thoughts, feelings and behaviors, with no intent to short-circuit the process simply because we cannot tolerate someone else’s pain.

Features

A passion for the profession

Heather Trepal didn’t initially set out to become a counselor, but as she takes the reins as ACA’s 68th president, no one questions her drive and desire to advocate for the profession she grew to love.

Cover Stories

Addressing intimate partner violence with clients

Professional clinical counselors are charged with learning how to spot red flags and then carefully respond to a complicated and emotionally charged issue that is present in an uncomfortably large percentage of intimate relationships.

Online Exclusives

Counseling Connoisseur: Revisiting the Spoon Theory

Counselors can assist clients and families who are impacted by chronic illness by validating their experiences, providing psychoeducation, and stepping up to advocate on local, regional and national levels.