Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act (S.B. 4202 / H.R. 8081)
Mental health counselors are essential providers for Medicare beneficiaries, but current reimbursement rates limit access to care for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
We’re asking you to take a minute to make your voice heard.
The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act (S.B. 4202 / H.R. 8081) would improve reimbursement rates and expand access to mental health services for underrepresented communities. Your outreach can help move this forward.
Thank you for advocating for the profession and the clients we serve,
NBCC Government Affairs Team
International Institute for the Advancement of Counseling Theory
Consider joining the International Institute for the Advancement of Counseling Theory (IIACT). Everything on IIACT’s website is FREE and includes such things as their quarterly newsletter, videos, research they’ve conducted, podcasts, access to books and videos, a theoretical orientation survey, and much more.
It’s all free and underwritten by my endowment. Please join and let others know about our institute.
The RISE Model: A Culturally Adapted CBT Framework for Helping Clients Foster Resilience in the Political Climate
The RISE Model – Reframe, Integrate, Strengthen, and Establish – offers a culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and self-affirmation framework for addressing psychological distress rooted in political climates. Developed in response to heightened sociopolitical stress, particularly among Black and Brown communities, this framework bridges evidence-based practice with cultural and identity-affirming strategies. Drawing from qualitative insights, the model highlights how reframing thoughts in context, integrating cultural and spiritual strengths, strengthening community connections, and establishing coping boundaries can foster resilience and agency. A case illustration demonstrates the application of the model in therapy, showing meaningful improvements in anxiety reduction, cultural pride, and community re-engagement. Findings underscore the potential of the RISE Model as a creative intervention that transcends symptom reduction to function as cultural reclamation and collective healing.
ACA Responds to HHS Request for Information tied to Great American Recovery Initiative
On July 1, ACA submitted comments in response to the Department of Health and Human Services’ request for information for input on policy recommendations to strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery services for substance use disorders and mental illness.
ACA’s response focused on three policy proposals addressing the behavioral health workforce shortage, as we recognize the limited supply of mental health counselors and other behavioral health professionals available to meet the needs of people living in rural and underserved communities.
The first proposal recommended expanding the existing Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Professionals to establish a post-graduate behavioral health residency program that supports provisionally licensed counselors and other behavioral health professionals as they complete their required clinical hours. The second proposal focused on expanding the behavioral health workforce by adding counseling students to the existing National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program as they are currently excluded from the program’s eligibility requirements. The third proposal aimed to expand workforce capacity by allowing professional counselor licensure boards, the Counseling Compact and relevant state board associations to apply for funding through the Licensure Portability Grant Program (LPGP).
Together, these proposals would have a significant impact on the counseling profession by strengthening the pathway to independent licensure, helping to ensure that trained behavioral health professionals successfully enter the workforce, reducing financial barriers for counseling students to support degree completion and expanding the reach of licensed counselors to practice across state lines. These changes would reduce disparities and increase access to mental health and substance use disorder services in rural and underserved communities.
ACA will continue to respond to federal and other policy opportunities that improve counselors’ ability to ensure that individuals seeking mental health and substance use disorder treatment can access affordable, timely and clinically appropriate care in their communities.
If you would like to become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, contact us at .
Therapodcast: When Faith Enters the Counseling Room - Ethics, Prayer, and Spiritual Competence
In the second installment of our series on spirituality, religion, and counseling, Dr. Martin Wesley welcomes Dr. Craig Cashwell, Dr. Aparna Ramaswamy, Dr. David Walther, and Dr. Matt Buckley for an engaging discussion about one of the counseling profession’s most nuanced ethical challenges.
Together, the panel explores what it means to provide spiritually competent counseling while remaining grounded in client autonomy, informed consent, multicultural competence, and professional ethics. Rather than offering simple answers, the conversation wrestles with the complexity counselors face when clients bring deeply held religious or spiritual beliefs into therapy.
The discussion examines practical questions such as when prayer may be appropriate, how counselors can ethically integrate spiritual practices, the role of forgiveness in healing, and how counselors can avoid unintentionally crossing the line into persuasion or proselytizing. The panel also considers the differences between counseling that helps clients explore their own beliefs and approaches that seek to direct clients toward predetermined religious conclusions.
Whether you’re a counselor, counselor educator, graduate student, clergy member, or simply interested in the intersection of faith and mental health, this episode offers thoughtful perspectives that encourage humility, self-awareness, and ethical decision-making.
In this episode, we discuss:
* When prayer belongs in the counseling session, and when it doesn’t
* Ethical use of Scripture, meditation, and other spiritual practices
* Client autonomy, informed consent, and multicultural competence
* Forgiveness, healing, and spiritual decision-making
* The difference between exploring a client’s beliefs and imposing our own
* How counselors can work effectively with clients from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds
* Practical guidance for integrating spirituality into counseling ethically and responsibly
Spirituality can be a profound source of strength, resilience, and meaning. It can also be a source of conflict, pain, and unanswered questions. This conversation explores how counselors can respectfully walk alongside clients in that journey without losing sight of either ethics or empathy.
Link to this episode: When Faith Enters the Counseling Room – Ethics, Prayer, and Spiritual Competence
Link to past episode: Spirituality, Religion, and Counseling – Personal Journeys, Professional Perspectives
Link to Therapodcast website
Duration of Status for international students and scholars
I have been striving to follow the proposals about DHS’ Plan to End Duration of Status for international students and scholars, which just reached the final rule status today.
This has severe implications for international students and scholars who hope to transition to work pathways in the U.S.— such as more rigid academic rules and timelines; visa delays and disruptions; travel bans; the threat of ending postgraduate OPT; more restrictions on freedom of speech and greater risks of being targeted; new H-1B visa rules and fees, and so much more – overall, more uncertainty, fear and anxiety… And of course, recognizing the intersectionality, we can hardly imagine the vulnerabilities of the international students who seek asylum and navigate immigration uncertainty in the current, highly threatening political climate.
You can find the detailed information and implications here.
You can further explore the proposed regulations and their implications, as well as ways to take advocacy action, under these organizations:
- President’s Alliance
- The NAFSA Don’t End DS page, also helps you send a letter to your congressional representatives in 2 minutes! I encourage you to share your story and insight/experiences about the contributions of international students and scholars.
I hope you will consider sharing this information with your institutions/organizations, professional networks, and other social circles, and invite them to advocate by publishing statements with specific calls to action such as contacting the congressional members and other representatives from your region and state. I hope you will also consider contacting and checking whether our professional organization leaders and university/college leaders are making efforts to reach Congress.
If you have very limited time, you can consider increasing visibility on LinkedIn – NAFSA makes great content for you to-share and add thoughts.
Or other social media such as NAFSA on Instagram
or follow and share with #DontEndDS – you can share insight and experiences about the contributions of international students and scholars.
Finally, please consider attending or sharing information about this upcoming conference by the NCDA International Student Services Committee on Friday, August 7 (virtual; free for the NCDA members) – “Building Together: Centering Advocacy, Community, and Adaptability”- a very timely, critical theme!
A Toolkit for Culturally Responsive & Evidence-Based School Counseling
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 3, 2026 – The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute of Leadership, Equity, and Justice (Proctor Institute<https://rutgers.us7.
“At a time when student mental health needs are both urgent and widespread, and federal funding for school-based mental health programs continues to shrink, the role of school counselors has never been more critical,” shares Ian Levy, Assistant Professor of School Counseling and Educational Psychology at Rutgers Graduate School of Education. “Rather than responding only in crisis, school counselors are uniquely positioned to build systems of prevention, affirm student identity, foster community, and equip students to navigate a complex world.”
The toolkit is based on a review of school counseling research and practice, which says that “academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary development” are the most important parts of a school counselor’s job. With an average of 376 students per counselor, classroom-level instruction and prevention are very important. Other important areas include culturally responsive counseling methods, working with teachers and families, strengths-based assessment, and data-driven leadership and advocacy. Leaders in the field say that success means helping students grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally, especially Black and Brown youth who have to deal with systems that were not made for them.
To support this vision, the report introduces the Educator-Counselor (EC) identity as a framework for school counseling practice. It suggests that counselors provide universal mental health services through classroom instruction, employ culturally relevant counseling techniques such as Bibliotherapy, Hip Hop and Spoken Word Therapy, and conduct strengths-based evaluations that respect students as complex human beings. The toolkit also advocates for deliberate cooperation, community asset mapping, and funding for data systems that allow school counselors to recognize and resolve racial disparities in achievement, attendance, and discipline. The toolkit concludes by highlighting the necessity of implementing these tactics with a steadfast dedication to social justice, development, wellness, and prevention.
Department of Counseling accredited for 8 more years!
We have received official communication from CACREP that our department is accredited until 2034. Please join us in celebration!
Mental Health and Medicare Update
By Matthew Fullen
The good news is that legislation to increase the rate from 75% to 85% was recently introduced in both chambers of Congress. These bills, which have bipartisan sponsorship, are referred to as the Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act, 2026 (S. 4202/H.R. 8081). Professional associations like ACA, ACES, NBCC, and AMHCA are working alongside AAMFT and NASW to advocate for these bills.
Ethical Use of AI Course for Mental Health Professionals
Millions of people are already using AI tools like ChatGPT for mental health support. Sentio’s research shows this is not a future scenario. It is happening now, at massive scale, and most clinicians have never been trained to work with it safely, ethically, or effectively.
This free, on-demand course from Sentio University gives you the practical frameworks you need to respond to this moment. Whether you are a licensed therapist, a clinical supervisor, an MFT trainee, or a mental health educator, this 4-part training will help you understand how AI actually works, where the real risks are, and how to use these tools as a responsible clinical thinking partner.
PTSD Training
The VA utilizes CAPS-5 to assess for PTSD, and they offer a free, online training for it via train.org.
If you aren’t able to access via the link, you can email a request to with CAPS-5 in the subject line.
Association for Humanistic Counseling unequivocally opposes the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy (Chiles v. Salazar, 2026)
The Association for Humanistic Counseling unequivocally opposes the recent
Supreme Court decision overturning Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy
(Chiles v. Salazar, 2026). This ruling represents a profound departure from
decades of established clinical research, ethical standards, and the core
principles that guide the counseling profession. Conversion therapy has
been consistently shown to cause significant psychological harm, including
increased rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidality among
LGBTQ+ individuals. As humanistic counselors, we are committed to honoring
the inherent dignity, autonomy, and worth of every person. Practices that
seek to suppress or alter an individual’s identity stand in direct
opposition to these values.
This decision not only places vulnerable individuals at greater risk but
also undermines the integrity of the counseling profession by opening the
door to interventions that violate established ethical codes, including
those outlined by the American Counseling Association and other governing
bodies. Humanistic counseling is grounded in authenticity, unconditional
positive regard, and the belief that individuals possess the capacity for
self-understanding and growth. It is not the need to be “fixed” or
redirected to conform to external expectations.
identities are valid, worthy, and deserving of respect and support. We also
stand with counselors who remain committed to ethical, evidence-based, and
affirming care. The Association for Humanistic Counseling calls on
policymakers, licensing boards, and professional organizations to continue
advocating for protections that prioritize client well-being and uphold the
ethical standards of our field.
safe, affirming, and compassionate spaces where all individuals can explore
their identities freely, without fear of harm or coercion.
With my deepest respect for our profession,
Christie Jenkins, PhD, LPCC-S, NCC
Free Your Mind Book Club
The Free Your Mind Book Club meetings is our social justice book club that promotes important dialogue and community building around social justice issues. We just read “Dallas, 1963”. Reach out to , PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, ACS, QS, if you are interested in joining this work!
CPCE and NCE exam prep sessions
Here is the sharable registration link for the second half of the CSI Epsilon Tau Honor Society Spring 2026 CPCE and NCE exam prep sessions.
This is a year-round opportunity for all students (Fall, Spring, Summer).
They also provide pre- and post practice exams and study materials with the sessions each semester.
A Federal Court Decision Challenges Interstate Telehealth Licensing—And Raises Critical Questions About Professional Standards
On June 24, 2026, a federal court made a decision that holds the power to reshape how Mental Health Counselors navigate state licensing requirements. In Brokamp v. District of Columbia, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the District violated Elizabeth Brokamp’s First Amendment rights by requiring her, a Virginia-licensed counselor, to obtain a D.C. license before providing telemental health counseling to District residents from her Virginia-based office.
Background: Chiles v. Salazar and the First Amendment
States and jurisdictions have long held the power to establish licensing requirements for professionals providing health care services to individuals residing in the state or locality, including requirements for Mental Health Counselors. The Supreme Court’s decision in Chiles v. Salazar referred to counseling as “talk therapy” and established that talk therapy constitutes protected speech under the First Amendment.
Critically, the Supreme Court rejected the argument that professional licensing eliminates constitutional protections, concluding that talk within the context of a Counselor’s professional work does not lose free-speech protections simply because it occurs in the context of a regulated professional relationship. This decision raised important questions about how courts should balance states’ regulatory and licensing authority with clinicians’ constitutional rights.
The Court’s application of First Amendment protections to talk therapy as protected speech risks obscuring the professional complexity underlying clinical counseling practice. Mental Health Counseling constitutes regulated professional conduct and professional service—not mere conversation—grounded in specialized graduate education, supervised clinical experience requirements, licensure standards, ethical codes, clinical assessment competencies, diagnostic expertise, and systematic treatment planning. Judicial emphasis on speech protections may inadequately account for the training, credentials, and professional judgment distinguishing licensed practice from ordinary interpersonal communication.
The groundbreaking ruling in Chiles v. Salazar influenced the outcome and rationale in Brokamp v. District of Columbia.
Brokamp: Applying Chiles to Interstate Telehealth
Elizabeth Brokamp, a Virginia-licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience, sought to provide teletherapy to D.C. residents from her Virginia-based office without obtaining a D.C. license. A D.C. law prohibits Counselors from other jurisdictions from providing online teletherapy to District residents without holding a D.C. license.
In June 2026, U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly ruled that D.C.’s licensing requirement violated the First Amendment, specifically as applied to Brokamp. The court held that because counseling practice consists entirely of talking with clients, the District’s licensing laws restricting these conversations act as direct restrictions on speech in violation of Brokamp’s First Amendment rights. Notably, D.C. failed to provide evidence that out-of-state Counselors not licensed in D.C. provide low-quality care or harm District residents.
Critical Distinction: Narrow, not Universal
The Brokamp decision is legally narrow. It does not strike down state licensing laws, eliminate professional licensure requirements, or create an automatic nationwide right to practice across state lines. The ruling applies specifically to Brokamp and her First Amendment rights. Mental Health Counselors should not assume they can now practice across state lines without verifying local jurisdiction requirements.
Implications for Mental Health Counselors
Reduced Public Protections: Brokamp provides a potential First Amendment basis for challenging restrictions on cross-border telehealth. Occupational licensure boards have traditionally been able to regulate professional conduct, even when those services are delivered via telehealth modalities. The Brokamp decision presents risk that occupational licensure boards may not be able to apply and enforce certain requirements surrounding providers of telemental health services. Additionally, clients served by non-licensed Counselors may have reduced pathways for filing complaints and legal recourse. Further, services provided by Counselors who are not licensed in-state may not be covered by major medical health insurance plans.
Practical Limitations: In response to Brokamp, states may develop new licensing frameworks or develop rules or laws to distinguish their regulations from D.C.’s approach. Counselors should continue complying with all applicable state licensing laws until courts provide broader clarity.
Brokamp’s Relationship to the Counseling Compact
The Counseling Compact represents an alternative regulatory pathway for interstate practice—an interstate administrative agreement requiring formal entry, applications, fees, and registration in participating states. The Compact does not grant automatic nationwide rights; it requires state-by-state participation and compliance, and it offers a process for licensed Counselors in states participating in the Compact to access privileges to practice.
Brokamp establishes a First Amendment defense, upheld by one District Court, as applied to professional speech restrictions, independent of formal interstate agreements.
Counseling Compact: The Compact provides administrative portability and includes key protections through established interstate agreements and legislation. The public is protected and Professional Counselors have efficient access to privileges to serve clients in many states through telehealth modalities and other direct service opportunities.
Strategic Implications: Counselors may increasingly challenge state licensing requirements through similar First Amendment arguments rather than waiting for Compact implementation. However, the Compact remains the more administratively straightforward pathway for states committed to interstate portability.
Future Landscape: Both mechanisms may evolve independently. As more Counselors challenge licensing restrictions based on the Chiles and Brokamp
The convergence of constitutional protections and interstate compacts creates emerging opportunities for telehealth expansion, but Counselors must remain informed about jurisdiction-specific requirements and ongoing legal developments.
Conclusion
NBCC remains dedicated to supporting and sustaining professional regulation for Counselors through occupational licensure. State/jurisdiction-level regulation provides clients, taxpayers, and citizens in each state with access to qualified professionals who are accountable for providing services in ethical and legal ways. Additionally, licensure ensures that clients who are harmed by licensed professionals have a pathway for filing a complaint and pursuing legal action.
Though the Brokamp decision applies only to Brokamp’s First Amendment rights, the case presents significant risk to the legal oversight of Professional Counseling practice by states and jurisdictions. Occupational licensure extends public protections into professional healthcare, and healthcare providers delivering services through telehealth means should be held accountable to state laws just as healthcare providers providing services in physical offices.
NBCC will continue to provide Counselors with prompt, substantive communication regarding evolving legal developments impacting Professional Counseling practice and emerging regulatory, legislative, and judicial issues affecting the profession.