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The 2025 ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Conference & Expo was a wonderful few days filled with engaging sessions, moving speakers and opportunities for fellowship. Here are a few advocacy highlights from the event:

• How "Anti" Legislation Affects the Counseling Profession — Frank Gorritz, PhD, LPC, NCC, and Lauren Shure, PhD, spoke about the Florida Counseling Association’s recent Hill Day, the impact of ‘anti’ legislation on counselors, and the importance of sustained advocacy despite challenges.
• The Counseling Compact: Everything You Need To Know — Lynn Linde, EdD, chief of professional practice at ÀÖ²©´«Ã½and Greg Searls, executive director of the Counseling Compact Commission, gave an overview of the Counseling Compact, when counselors can begin to apply for the privilege to practice, and a deep dive on how the Compact will operate once counselors can apply for the privilege to practice.
• Steps for Counselor Legislative Engagement — ACA’s Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) team shared methods for grassroots advocacy, discussed ACA’s 2025 legislative priorities, and explained how ÀÖ²©´«Ã½is advancing these priorities, as well as how counselors can get involved in ÀÖ²©´«Ã½advocacy.
• How to Become an Effective Advocate —Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani shared her advocacy story, strategies for minimizing the impact of harmful legislation despite challenging political environments, and the importance of counselors getting involved in the policymaking process. Katie Brown, Policy Advisor at Arnold & Porter, highlighted methods for federal-level advocacy and how recent federal debates could impact the counseling field.

If you would like to learn more about ACA’s legislative priorities, get involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts or have questions, please contact us at advocacy@counseling.org. If you would like to request an advocacy training, please fill out this form.

Please note: Training can only be requested by an ÀÖ²©´«Ã½member.