Today, TCA represents both Certified School Counselors as well as Licensed Professional Counselors and remains the largest state branch of the American Counseling Association.
The Texas Counseling Association traces its roots back to 1935-1945 when interested guidance counselors would meet during the Annual Convention of the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA). On November 29, 1947, a group of counselors convened for the first time as the Guidance Section at the annual TSTA Convention. This meeting dealt mainly with establishing guidance programs in public schools. In 1948, the decision was made to develop a counseling association.
By 1950, the Texas Guidance Association (TGA) constitution was completed, and an organization was born. The following year, the Deans of Women and Mental Hygiene Groups joined the association. In 1954, the association began its efforts to become a state branch of the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA). On April 9, 1963, TGA accepted the APGA state charter recognizing it as the Texas Personnel and Guidance Association (TPGA).
In 1992, Texas followed the lead of APGA in changing its name to the American Counseling Association, TPGA‘s name was changed to the Texas Counseling Association (TCA). TCA led the campaign to pass legislation to license professional counselors in Texas by establishing the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors in 1981.