Professional Counseling Memberships

The American Counseling Association is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. Founded in 1952, ACA is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings.

The Texas Counseling Association is the largest organization for professional counselors in Texas. TCA leads, educates, and advocates to advance the counseling profession, to increase access to professional counselors, and to promote wellness. Texas Counseling Association (TCA) is the state professional association for school counselors, LPCs, LMFTs and other mental health professionals. 

We provide continuing education opportunities, networking, advocacy, and other member benefits such as Legal Care and professional liability insurance discounts.

Texas Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, a specialty division of the Texas Counseling Association and a state division of Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, is an organization of professional counselors in different settings: in schools, in private practice, in agencies, counselor educators and supervisors, and graduate students. 

Their Mission

• To seek to develop programs specifically to improve ethnic and racial empathy and understanding.
• To advance and sustain personal growth.
• To improve educational opportunities for persons from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• To provide an alliance with other divisions of TCA to advance multicultural counseling.
• To defend human rights and civil rights as prescribed by law.
• To encourage changing attitudes and enhance understanding of cultural diversity

The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates (NBCC) is the premier credentialing body for counselors, ensuring that counselors who become nationally certified have achieved the highest standard of practice through education, examination, supervision, experience, and ethical guidelines.

Established as a not-for-profit, independent certification organization in 1982, NBCC’s original and primary purposes have broadened, and its divisions and affiliates have taken on additional responsibilities to advance the counseling profession and enhance mental health worldwide.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Program (CACREP) is the independent agency that accredits graduate programs in addiction counseling; career counseling; clinical mental health counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; school counseling; and student affairs and college counseling.

As an independent agency that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, CACREP ensures the quality and reputation of counseling programs in higher education. CACREP accredited programs reflect the highest standards in counselor education. Only a handful of Texas Master’s programs in counseling have met these standards.

The UTRGV Counseling program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

The Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) is the state affiliate of the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).  We  promote the advancement of addiction professionals by uniting prevention, intervention, counseling, recovery support and addiction professionals throughout Texas. 

Together, we have a voice in critical matters relating to our profession, as well as those we serve. Using our collective voices in legislative initiatives, community awareness, continuing education, and professional networking opportunities, TAAP brings attention to substance use disorder issues in Texas.