Counseling Professional Associations & Organizations

List of Counseling Professional Associations & Organizations

The following List of Counseling Professional Associations & Organizations features a compilation of membership-based organizations for counseling professionals.

Joining professional associations is a great way to pursue professional development and connect with like-minded counseling professionals. It also enhances your credentials on your Resume and LinkedIn profile.

Read: Best and Worst Resume Services on BBB

Related: How to Build Your Network Using Professional Associations

I recommend using this list as a starting point to identify organizations you’re interested in joining, then researching membership costs, eligibility, and how each aligns with your career goals.

Here’s the List:

• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) is a membership organization for professionals specializing in the treatment of addiction and related psychiatric disorders.
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is dedicated to promoting the healthy development of children, adolescents, and families.
• American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL) is a membership-based organization serving psychiatrists who are interested in the intersection of psychiatry and law.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) is a membership-based organization dedicated to representing the professional interests of marriage and family therapists.
• American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) is a membership organization for promoting understanding of human sexuality and healthy sexual behavior.
• American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession.
• American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) enhances the profession of mental health counseling through advocacy, education and professional development.
• American Psychiatric Association (APA) is a membership-based association for specialists in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses.
• American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to providing education, research and membership development for psychoanalysts.
• American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to advancing the practice, education, and research of rehabilitation counseling.
• American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors’ efforts to help students focus on academic, career and social/emotional development.
• Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) represents the professional interests of addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused health care professionals.
• Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) is a membership organization for professionals who incorporate humor into their work to promote health and well-being.
• Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback (AAPB) is a membership-based organization for professionals in biofeedback, neurofeedback, and applied psychophysiology.
• Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) is a membership-based organization for psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, physicians, and more.
• Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) is one of the oldest interdisciplinary organizations in the field of dying, death and bereavement.
• Association for Play Therapy (APT) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to advancing the practice, research, and education of play therapy.
• Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) is a professional society dedicated to serving leaders and rising stars in physiatry.
• Association of Educational Therapists (AET) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to advancing the practice and understanding of educational therapy.
• Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) is dedicated to promoting and advancing the science and practice of applied behavior analysis.
• International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) is a membership-based organization dedicated to advancing mental health care for older adults worldwide.
• National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing post-secondary education.
• National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) is a membership organization dedicated to advancing the practice and education of aromatherapy through resources, training, and certification.
• National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists (NACBT) functions to support cognitive-behavioral therapists through continuing education and networking.
• National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to the advancement of family science, research, and practice.
• National Organization of Forensic Social Work (NOFSW) is dedicated to the advancement of education in the field of forensic social work.
• National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) is a membership-based organization dedicated to promoting the professional interests of genetic counselors.
• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) is a membership-based organization dedicated to leading the advancement of professional equine-assisted services.
• Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP) is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of psychology as it relates to the physical and mental health of children, adolescents, and families.

View the entire List of Professional Associations & Organizations >>