Counseling Awareness Month
As the world becomes more aware of what it means to be mentally and emotionally healthy, a significant increase can be seen in the number of people seeing counselors and therapists. In fact, the number of Americans seeking mental health treatment is almost double what it was just two decades...
Position counseling and mental health services as accessible, preventative care for life transitions and well-being—not just crisis intervention—to destigmatize therapy and drive awareness among professionals and families.
- Share counselor success stories and client testimonials highlighting non-crisis reasons for seeking therapy (career transitions, grief, relationships)
- Educate audiences on the difference between counseling and advice-giving; position counselors as guides for self-discovery
- Partner with employers and schools to promote mental health benefits and counseling access as part of wellness programs
- Thank-a-counselor campaign featuring employee spotlights or community recognition to build trust and normalize mental health support
Counseling Awareness Month has been celebrated for more than two decades, since it was founded in 2002. The event was established through the efforts of the American Counseling Association (ACA) to acknowledge counseling professionals and the important role they play to establish mental health and well-being in the lives of families, individuals and communities.
Each year, the organizers of Counseling Awareness Month choose a theme to promote a particular aspect related to counseling to help focus the celebrations. Some of the themes in past years have included:
Thank a Counselor
An excellent way to get involved with Counseling Awareness Month is to show appreciation and gratitude to a counselor. Whether a person has a professional relationship with a counselor or they have a friend or family member who works as a counselor, this is a great time to say thanks for the hard work they do.
Advocate for Counseling Awareness Month
Interested individuals as well as advocacy groups can participate by connecting their local school boards, city councils and other influential bodies with Counseling Awareness Month. The ACA website offers a sample proclamation supporting the cause that can be tailored to individual needs when promoting the event. Understand More About CounselingA goal of Counseling Awareness Month is to improve public knowledge and understanding about what counseling is and how it can be beneficial.Take some time during this event to brush up on some of the basics about counseling, including a few of these facts:Counseling isn’t just for people with mental health issues or huge problems – almost anyone can benefit from talking to a counselor for life transitions, grief, relationship problems, career goals and moreCounseling is not a quick fix for any problem – it is a process of growth and development that happens through emotional work over timeCounselors don’t necessarily give advice – they help their clients discover what would be best to meet their own needs and desiresLicensed counselors much abide by the American Counseling Association’s code of ethics