The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the flagship for Professional Counselors across the United States. A handful of dedicated members are preparing an application for Organizational Affiliate (OA) -- the stepping stone organization to full Division -- in ACA focused exclusively on counseling for traumatic stress, resilience, and post-traumatic growth.
Why this? Great question! Because trauma counseling differs sufficiently from the broader field of mental health counseling to require its own knowledge base, techniques, and competencies. Trauma counseling like the "intensive care" of mental health care, and differs in scope, complexity, and intensity. It takes a special kind of professional to be able to do this work and maintain sufficient self-care to avoid burnout.
Why now? Excellent question. While we have been pursuing unofficial work in traumatology within ACA since the mid-1990s, it's now time to have a professional home for those who work exclusively, or almost exclusively in the challenging field of traumatic stress and therapy. Climate change, COVID-19, racism, inequities, injustice, xenophobia, inequities, natural, and human-made disasters, and personal tragedies are driving a rise in traumatic stress that seems (to me anyway) unprecedented.
Through research and learning, we have the tools to address traumatic stress effectively and compassionately. The new OA will develop quickly into a full division with membership beyond the United States (and beyond the profession of Counseling). We seek a global scope because wisdom is not limited to America and there is much to learn and much to share, and many ways to support one another across our common bonds of human kindness.
Initially, we need current members of the American Counseling Association to join the forming Organizational Affiliate. As soon as we have been approved by ACA's Board of Governors, we will open membership to non-ACA members. There are many voices with considerable value to add to our understanding of trauma and transforming trauma. We seek many professional and personal voices for the work of an association -- training, standards, conferences, a peer-reviewed journal, resources, political advocacy for public policy change, and the camaraderie and connection that comes with finding one's professional home.
If you are an ACA member now, please consider completing this 1-question survey with your ACA member number to signify your willingness to join the new Organizational Affiliate (looking for about 300 signatures). When we reach 400 signatures, we will be qualified to apply for full Division status with the American Counseling Association.
Here's the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r...ogy_Interest_Network
If you are NOT an ACA member now, and want to become one, here is where you go to join (student-members of ACA count!): https://www.counseling.org/membership/join-reinstate
If you have questions or ideas, don't hesitate to reach out to me, Carol Smith. I would be delighted to talk with you.
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