College of Education Departments

Counseling and Guidance

Professional Organizations


American Counseling Association (ACA)

American School Counselor Association(ASCA)

Association for Adult Development and Aging (AADA)
Chartered in 1986, AADA serves as a focal point for information sharing, professional development, and advocacy related to adult development and aging issues; addresses counseling concerns across the lifespan.

Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC)
Originally the Association for Measurement and Evaluation in Guidance, AARC was chartered in 1965. The purpose of AARC is to promote the effective use of assessment in the counseling profession.

Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC)Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling aims to focus on the training needs of counselors who work with children and adolescents, while also providing professional support to those counselors, whether they are school counselors, play therapists, or counselor educators.

Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC)
The Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC) is a forum for counselors, counselor educators, creative arts therapists and counselors in training to explore unique and diverse approaches to counseling. ACC's goal is to promote greater awareness, advocacy, and understanding of diverse and creative approaches to counseling.

American College Counseling Association (ACCA)
ACCA is one of the newest divisions of the American Counseling Association. Chartered in 1991, the focus of ACCA is to foster student development in colleges, universities, and community colleges.

Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
Originally the National Association of Guidance and Counselor Trainers, ACES was a founding association of ACA in 1952. ACES emphasizes the need for quality education and supervision of counselors for all work settings.

The Association for Humanistic Counseling (AHC)
AHC, formerly C-AHEAD, a founding association of ACA in 1952, provides a forum for the exchange of information about humanistically-oriented counseling practices and promotes changes that reflect the growing body of knowledge about humanistic principles applied to human development and potential.

Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC)
Educates counselors to the unique needs of client identity development; and a non-threatening counseling environment by aiding in the reduction of stereotypical thinking and homoprejudice.

Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD)
Originally the Association of Non-White Concerns in Personnel and Guidance, AMCD was chartered in 1972. AMCD strives to improve cultural, ethnic and racial empathy and understanding by programs to advance and sustain personal growth.

American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
Chartered in 1978, AMHCA represents mental health counselors, advocating for client-access to quality services within the health care industry.

American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA)
ARCA is an organization of rehabilitation counseling practitioners, educators, and students who are concerned with enhancing the development of people with disabilities throughout their life span and in promoting excellence in the rehabilitation counseling profession's practice, research, consultation, and professional development.

American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
Chartered in 1953, ASCA promotes school counseling professionals and interest in activities that affect the personal, educational, and career development of students. ASCA members also work with parents, educators, and community members to provide a positive learning environment.

Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)
Originally the National Catholic Guidance Conference, ASERVIC was chartered in 1974. ASERVIC is devoted to professionals who believe that spiritual, ethical, religious, and other human values are essential to the full development of the person and to the discipline of counseling.

Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW)
Chartered in 1973, ASGW provides professional leadership in the field of group work, establishes standards for professional training, and supports research and the dissemination of knowledge.

Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ)
CSJ is a community of counselors, counselor educators, graduate students, and school and community leaders who seek equity and an end to oppression and injustice affecting clients, students, counselors, families, communities, schools, workplaces, governments, and other social and institutional systems.

International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC)
Originally the Public Offender Counselor Association, IAAOC was chartered in 1972. Members of IAAOC advocate the development of effective counseling and rehabilitation programs for people with substance abuse problems, other addictions, and adult and/or juvenile public offenders.

International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC)
Chartered in 1989, IAMFC members help develop healthy family systems through prevention, education, and therapy.

Military and Government Counseling Association (MGCA) formerly ACEG
Originally the Military Educators and Counselors Association, MGCA was chartered in 1984. MGCA is dedicated to counseling clients and their families in local, state, and federal government or in military-related agencies. (Website might not currently be available)

National Career Development Association (NCDA)
Originally the National Vocational Guidance Association, NCDA was one of the founding associations of ACA in 1952. NCDA provides professional development, connection, publications, standards, and advocacy to career development professionals who inspire and empower individuals to achieve their career and life goals.

National Employment Counseling Association (NECA)
NECA was originally the National Employment Counselors Association and was chartered in 1966. The commitment of NECA is to offer professional leadership to people who counsel in employment and/or career development settings.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or starting your career, the resources and services provided through your membership will: earn more about your specialty—join a division

 

Texas School Counselor Association(TSCA)

 

Texas Counseling Association(TCA)

 

TCA Divisions

TCA's 12 affiliated Divisions are segmented by distinct professional interests to address specific mental health populations and counseling issues.

TAARC

Texas Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling

Promotes research, development, technical competency and ethical practices for measurement and evaluation in counseling.

TAADA

Texas Association for Adult Development and Aging

Promotes resources and leadership on the development process of adults through the life span and the problems of aging.

TACES

Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision

Promotes the preparation of professional counselors through accreditation, certification, supervision and professional development.

TxSAIGE

Texas Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities

Promotes tolerance and non-threatening counseling environments that support the unique needs of clients and reduce stereotypical thinking and prejudice.

TAHC

Texas Association for Humanistic Counseling

Promotes human development practices that emphasize education of the whole person and instructional strategies that foster humanistic approaches.

TAMFC

Texas Association of Marriage and Family Counselors

Promotes issues, interests and the delivery of services in the area of marriage and family therapy, divorce counseling and mediation.

TCCA

Texas College Counseling Association

Promotes college counseling programs that foster student development, support ethical practices and encourage cooperation within higher education.

TCDA

Texas Career Development Association

Promotes a greater understanding of the meaning of work; fosters career development over the life span; and establishes standards of professional service in the field of career development.

TexAMCD

Texas Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development

Promotes the understanding and appreciation of ethnic, racial and cultural diversity; human and civil rights, and multicultural counseling.

TMHCA

Texas Mental Health Counselors Association

Promotes improvements to the availability and quality of mental health counseling services for professionals in private practice, agency, hospital, business and industrial settings.

TSCA

Texas School Counselor Association

Supporting counselors, strengthening students, promoting success: providing advocacy and best practice resources to empower school counselors to deliver comprehensive guidance and counseling programs which promote student success.

TxCSJ

Texas Counselors for Social Justice

Fosters optimal social, emotional, and cultural development with dignity for all individuals by actively promoting societal equity, access, participation, harmony, empowerment, and advocacy.


Gulf Coast Counseling Association

The Gulf Coast Counseling Association (GCCA) has hosted several workshops, presentations, and conferences in the Coastal Bend area over the past decade. For those that are not familiar with GCCA, our mission is to provide professional development opportunities to the community and counties served by our organization. These counties include Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, and San Patricio. This is a large area to cover and we need your support to establish this organization and reach every counselor, counselor-in-training, and mental health professional in these 10 counties.

Part of GCCA’s vision is to host an annual conference each April where attendees will learn of the latest changes and additions to the counseling field. A second part of that vision is to mobilize the counseling professionals in our area into advocating for their profession as well as advocating for those populations that are marginalized.

 Membership Categories

  • New Professional Membership - $10.00 *NEW
    Master’s/Doctorate Graduates (within past 12 months); applicable for 24 months or upon completion of internship/supervision requirements.
  • Professional Membership – $25.00
    Individuals licensed or certified as a school counselor, LPC/LMFT, or other mental health professional.
  • Student Membership– $10.00
    Students enrolled in a post-secondary program in the area of human development who are not employed more than half-time as a professional counselor.
  • Retired Membership - $10.00
    Any professional TCA member who is retired and no longer working or employed more than half-time as mental health professional.
  • Affiliate Membership - $25.00 *NEW
    Open to any person who supports the mission of the Gulf Coast Counseling Association.

Membership Chair: Rachelle Morales
E-mail: rachelle.renee.morales@gmail.com
Phone: 956-373-8733

Click here for the membership application