Nebraska Counseling Association

04/11/2026

Start making plans! See you all in Portland!

The 2026 ACA Conference & Expo has officially ended! Thank you to everyone who joined us in Columbus over the past few days. We look forward to seeing you in Portland next year!

04/11/2026

Thank you to our Board of Directors Janet Johnson, Arden Szepe, Andrea McGrath and Kristin Erickson for representing Nebraska at the American Counseling Association 2026 Conference! If you’re in Columbus, drop a photo in the comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️

04/10/2026

Are you a photographer? We are looking for someone capable of doing headshots on location for April 24th. Email us today!

04/10/2026

Show us your teal in the comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Today is Teal Day! Join us by donning a teal t-shirt, ribbon or accessory and posting a picture on social media. Make sure you use and tag us!

https://counseling.org/cam

04/10/2026

We’re very excited to welcome Dr. Victoria E. Kress, who has officially sworn in as ACA’s 2026-2027 President by current ACA President Dr. Elsa Soto Leggett!

04/08/2026

Join us for Teal Day on April 10th! Share your photos of your teal in the comments ⬇️

Next week, join us for Teal Day! Teal Day encourages awareness of the importance of counseling and self-care for counselors as they enlighten their clients, colleagues and the greater public of the same.

On Teal Day, we encourage everyone to share a picture of themselves wearing teal on social media, to help spread awareness of the work counselors do!

https://www.counseling.org/cam

04/08/2026

With ACA’s new governance structure in place, the ACA Nominations and Elections Committee is pleased to announce the candidates for the 2026 election for the inaugural ACA Board of Directors. Elected candidates will begin their terms on July 1, 2026.

More info: https://bit.ly/3Lwnux0

04/08/2026

Hear ye, hear ye! This morning, members of the Nebraska Counseling Association Executive Board, along with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, proclaimed the month of April Counseling Awareness Month in Nebraska.

Please enjoy the video of NCA Public Policy Chair, Kristen Rose, making her remarks:

https://youtu.be/eQP6vVxm8Dg

Thank you team for your hard work!

American Counseling Association

04/07/2026

The Nebraska Extension, along with two federal partner agencies will hold informational meetings on wildfire recovery April 8-10. These meetings are designed to help farmers and ranchers learn about available resources and address local needs. Meetings are scheduled 3:30- 6pm local time with a meal served at 6pm. Learn more: https://bit.ly/ExtensionMeetings.

04/05/2026

✅ LB958 just advanced to select file!

This bill protects Medicaid retroactive coverage, which covers health care bills for low-income Medicaid enrollees for a certain time prior to their month of application if they would have been eligible for Medicaid at the time.

This coverage is especially critical for those facing health crises and protects low-income Nebraskans from crippling medical debt and ensures that hospitals can keep their doors open.

See how your senator voted: bit.ly/LB958vote

04/02/2026

Statement from the ACA and SAIGE on the Supreme Court Decision on Conversion Therapy: https://www.counseling.org/about/values-statements/aca-saige-joint-statement-chiles-salazar-supreme-court-ruling/?_zs=f7FdJ1&_zl=hxi28

On March 31, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy related to a lawsuit brought by counselor Kaley Chiles (Chiles v. Salazar). This ruling is a devastating blow to LGBTQ+ rights and to professionally trained counselors nationwide. It puts those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity at risk of serious harm and compromises the ethical standards of the counseling community.

ACA, in partnership with the American Psychological Association, the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE) — a division of ACA — and other key stakeholders, filed an amicus brief in August 2025 in support of the Colorado law. We strongly disagree with the Court’s ruling and stand strong in our opposition to conversion therapy.

Despite the Court’s decision, the evidence remains clear: conversion therapy is harmful, discredited and not supported by science. Furthermore, its risks to client wellbeing are well documented. Research shows that individuals subjected to conversion therapy experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance use and suicidal thoughts. These risks are particularly acute for LGBTQ+ youth, who are disproportionately targeted by these practices.

The premise of the case the Court ruled on was one of free speech instead of professional conduct. However, psychotherapy is a regulated medical treatment, not a form of unregulated conversation. Despite this, the ruling centered on the viewpoint of the complainant and struck down the Colorado law as a restriction on expression. ACA maintains that conversion therapy bans regulate professional conduct, not speech. Such laws ensure that counseling practices are evidence-based, ethical and aligned with accepted standards of care.

The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how states regulate licensed mental health professionals nationwide, particularly regarding practices deemed harmful or unethical. With the Colorado law overturned, other states conversion therapy bans could be challenged, jeopardizing client welfare.

ACA and SAIGE remain committed to ethical, evidence-based and affirming care. In its preamble, the ACA Code of Ethics references the fundamental values of the counseling profession: nonmaleficence, beneficence and justice. Section C.7.c. on harmful practices states: “counselors do not use techniques/procedures/modalities when substantial evidence suggests harm, even if such services are requested.” Similarly, SAIGE’s statement on conversion therapy states: “Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to align with heterosexual and cisgender norms. It is based on the belief that being a member of the LGBTQ+ community is an aberration, which is irrefutably false.”

ACA and SAIGE will continue to advocate for policies and laws that protect clients from harmful practice and support client wellbeing. Conversion therapy has no safe place in ethical counseling.

Resources
Take Action: Oppose Conversion Therapy: https://americancounseling.quorum.us/campaign/120427/

ACA Position Statement on Conversion Therapy: https://www.counseling.org/about/values-statements/conversion-therapy?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ7maFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzamhjMXpkeVFGczZTelBac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhaxG8X1X0y3wQbVp4QJNBRDklh4YkpQNb6lLlReuwySC2etnSZCGZi7Dzrr_aem_t4ygOkqRtES0H8l4gO9pjA