Every New Counselor Should Consider these Memberships

As the world’s largest organization catering specifically to professional counselors, the American Counseling Association offers membership to counselors of all experience levels. The ACA also charters over 18 divisions, each dedicated to specialty practices under the counseling umbrella and offering their own unique membership perks. This post will review the activities, advocacy opportunities, benefits, and potential drawbacks associated with membership to the ACA, both in general and from the perspective of a graduate student (me right now). It will also examine two of its divisions: the National Career Development Association (NCDA) and the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, chosen based on my personal interests as a counseling student. Regardless of your current of future speciality, there is likely an association that can help open doors to a more fulfilling career. My advise is to get involved!

American Counseling Association Membership

Membership at the ACA opens the door to an array of benefits, including but not limited to, ethical consultations, discounted services such as liability insurance, and continued education (CE) with access to 12 free annual online courses. Activities such as the Annual Conference and Expo, and online meet-ups are available to members only. These offer a unique opportunity for professional counsellors to expose themselves to some of the leading thinking in the field. Advocacy opportunities are led by the Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) team. Their goal is to make it easy to stay abreast of and vote on legislative issues important to the counseling field. GAPP fights at the federal and state level on issues ranging from addiction to medical reimbursement which can have a direct effect on counselors' daily work.

The numerous benefits of joining the ACA are especially valuable for newly-graduated counselors. Without the intuitive judgement that experienced counselors lean on, new professionals can rely on resources such as ethical consultations and award-winning ACA publications for guidance when facing questionable situations early in their careers. CE programs are also important, since counselors are expected to stay apprised of the latest in treatment methods and news, just as one would expect of their physician. These invaluable benefits are offset only by the annual membership fee that increases after year one as well as the potential of a conflict between the ACA Code of ethics and those that counselors hold personal.

National Career Development Association Membership

The NCDA is dedicated to supporting experts who help individuals achieve their aspirations both in life and the career setting. Some membership benefits are similar to those offered by the ACA, such as access to association-exclusive publications and discounted career services. Activities include networking events such as the NCDA Global Career Development Conference, and robust career development opportunities. For example, there are six credentials that NCDA members can earn in order to enhance and distinguish their expertise in career development. Additionally, members of any experience level have the opportunity to involve themselves directly in committee work to contribute to the advancement of the association and its goals. This includes direct advocacy experience through The Government Relations Committee, dedicated to advocating for the NCDA on key legislation. Drawbacks to membership include an annual fee separate from the ACA, which, let’s be honest, makes most counselors think twice. 

The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors Membership

The IAMFC is focused on the achieving and promoting the wellbeing of diverse families around the world. Members' benefits include a subscription to IAMFC publications such as The Family Journal which includes case studies, interviews, and more from leading experts in the field. CE resources are also made available. Activities include access to both national and international professional networking events, such as the IAMFC Oxford Family Counseling Institute which offers valuable professional insight across various cultures. Advocacy initiatives are also robust, with public policy initiatives and an Emerging Leadership Program that paves the way for mentorship and training for an elected leadership position within the association. Drawbacks include an additional membership fee. An additional code of ethics also increases the potential for personal ethical contention, especially in a morally sensitive area such as marriage and family counseling.

Final Thoughts

Membership to the ACA and its chartered divisions such as the NCDA and the IAMFC offer an abundance of benefits, activities, and advocacy opportunities to counselors of all levels. These resources pave the way for counselors to improve on their skillset, expand their networks and advance their careers. Multiple membership fees could quickly add up, and there is a risk that belonging to multiple organizations could increase the potential for ethical contentions or information overload. However, the support that counselors (especially new ones) receive through these associations is invaluable and can be instrumental in professional development.

You can read more about these sources below!

American Counseling Association(ACA)

https://www.counseling.org/about-us/about-aca

International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC)

https://www.iamfconline.org/public/iamfc-membership-benefits.cfm

National Career Development Association (NCDA)

https://ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/membership