TCA Awards and Volunteer Recognition

Celebrating Excellence in Counseling

The Texas Counseling Association (TCA) annually honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service and leadership in the counseling profession


The Call for Award Nominations is NOW OPEN.

Presidential Award 

This award honors individuals who have given outstanding service and/or leadership to TCA and/or the counseling profession.

Nominations for the Presidential Award close on 6/1/2025.

Submit Presidential Award Nomination

  • Any TCA member can submit a nomination for the Presidential Award. Nominees do not have to be members of TCA.
  • Nominations must be submitted in writing and include supporting data that cite the leadership and/or service.
  • Nominations must be received by the TCA office no later than June 1 of each calendar year.
  • The President presents all nominations to the Board for final selection at the June meetings.
  • An individual can receive a TCA Presidential Award only once.
  • The Past President presents this award at the TCA Annual Professional Growth Conference.

Dr. William E. Truax Award

This award recognizes the significant contributions of an individual TCA member who has demonstrated, over a long period of time, a global vision and significant impact on the counseling profession on a national, regional and/or statewide basis. The award is named in memory of Dr. William E. Truax, a "founding father" of TCA. Dr. Truax a was a counselor educator and Dean of the College of Education at East Texas State University. In 1950, he helped establish the TCA constitution and in 1958, he served as TCA President. Dr. Truax remained a significant force in the association for many years, giving freely of his time as TCA Executive Secretary for nearly 25 years. 

Nominations for the Dr. William E. Truax Award close on 6/1/2025.

Submit Dr. William E. Truax Award Nomination

Purpose:

To recognize the significant contributions of an individual TCA member who has demonstrated over a long period of time a global vision and significant impact on the counseling profession on a national, regional and/or statewide basis.

Process:

  1. Nominations may be made by any individual or organization and must be received by the ACOPP Chair no later than June 1 of each calendar year.
  2. The Advisory Council of Past Presidents (ACOPP) reviews all nominations and makes selections for presentation of the special paperweight award at the general session of TCA's Annual Professional Growth Conference. 
  3. Recipients receive emeritus membership in TCA.
  4. Awards are given at the discretion of ACOPP and are not required to be presented annually.

Dr. Jamesanna Kirven Outstanding Counselor Award

This award is presented to an individual in recognition of his/her contributions in one or more areas of professional counseling. The award was renamed in 2005 to the 'Dr. Jamesanna Kirven Outstanding Counseling Award,' in honor of Dr. Jamesanna Kirven, the first Certified Counselor in Texas. Throughout her life, Dr. Kriven was involved in some form of educational activity. One of her greatest accomplishments was bringing the Principles and Theory of Guidance to Texas. Dr. Kirven worked as a Counselor, Supervisor of Secondary Area Counselors, and Supervision Director of Trainees for License in the Division of Mental Health. She also served as a Senator for TCA and was a charter member of seven TCA Divisions. 

Nominations for this award close on 8/1/2025.

Submit Dr. Jamesanna Kirven Outstanding Counselor Award Nomination

The criteria for the award is as follows:

  • The individual must be a TCA member for at least one full year preceding the nomination.
  • The person must be a member of TCA, a local Chapter and a Division.
  • A resume must be submitted along with examples of professional achievement and personal dedication.

An individual TCA member, a Chapter or Division may submit a nomination for the TCA Outstanding Counselor Award.

Molly Gerold Human Rights Award

This award is presented to an individual in recognition of his/her contributions in one or more areas of human rights. The award is named in memory of Molly Gerold, a counselor for the Northeast Independent School District in San Antonio. Molly was an innovator and was the district's counselor for the gifted and talented program. She was a creative, energetic woman who served as the Elementary Vice-President for the Texas School Counselor Association, contributed her poetry to the TCA Journal, and co-authored several articles. 

Nominations for this award close on 8/1/2025.

Submit Molly Gerold Human Rights Award Nomination

The criteria for the award is as follows:

  • The individual must be a TCA member for at least one full year preceding the nomination.
  • Entries should contain evidence of activities that focus on the nominee's contributions to human rights.
  • Entries should contain documentation of or implications for change relative to an area of human rights.
  • Entries should demonstrate that the individual has exhibited a pattern of continued activity in the area of human rights.
  • Individual TCA members, Chapters or Divisions may submit nominations for this award.

An individual, TCA Chapter or Division may submit a nomination for this award.

Graduate Student Award

This award is presented to a graduate student in counselor education whose dedication and academic work demonstrate excellence in the theory and practice of some significant area of counseling and exhibits outstanding scholarship. Students may submit nominations on their own behalf or have their work submitted by a colleague or professor. 

Nominations for this award close on 8/1/2025.

Submit Graduate Student Award Nomination

Criteria is as follows:

  • The individual must be a TCA member for at least one full year preceding the nomination.
  • The individual must be a student pursuing a graduate degree in counseling at any time during the year preceding the nomination.
  • The individual must have compiled an outstanding academic record in his or her graduate studies, in some significant area of counseling.
  • The individual must have demonstrated through independent work a commitment to issues of counseling (e.g. published or engaged in scholarly activities related to issues of counseling, developed innovative programs, demonstrated leadership in counseling at the local, state, regional, national, or international level, participated actively in community service and/or advocacy initiatives).

Students may submit nominations on their own behalf or have their work submitted by a colleague or professor.

John Shirley Advocacy Award

The John Shirley Advocacy Award recognizes an individual or community organization for excellence in legislative advocacy efforts. Effective legislative efforts require the tireless energy of individuals dedicated to making a difference for the future of the counseling professional and the communities in which they serve. Only through legislative advocacy can counseling professionals educate the state and governmental leaders regarding the importance of mental health wellness.

Nominations for this award close on 8/1/2025.

Submit John Shirley Advocacy Award Nomination

The criteria for this award is as follows:

  • The individual must be a TCA member for at least one full year preceding the nomination.
  • The nominee must be an individual or community counseling organization.
  • Self-nominations are welcome.
  • Award recipients must have engaged in a concerted activity aimed at achieving a specific legislative, regulatory, or organizational goal. Although actual legislative accomplishments are particularly worthy of recognition, a greater emphasis will be placed on the effective, collaborative, and productive efforts of the individual or organization.

Nomination may only be submitted by a member of TCA, its Divisions or Chapters.

Research Award

This award is presented to an individual (or individuals) whose in-depth, academic research and work demonstrate excellence in the theory and practice of a significant area of professional counseling. 

Nominations for this award close on 8/1/2025.

Submit Research Award Nomination

The criteria for this award is as follows:

  • The individual must be a TCA member for at least one full year preceding the nomination.
  • Research materials must be submitted with the resume as part of the documented evidence.
  • The nomination will be judged on the basis of how the research was accomplished and the benefits to counseling.
  • The Research Award cannot be given to an individual in the following areas:
    • Doctoral dissertations
    • Masters papers

An individual, TCA Chapter or Division may submit a nomination for the Research Award. 

Professional Writing Award

This award is presented to an individual (or individuals) whose writing demonstrates excellence in a significant area of the counseling profession. 

Nominations for this award close on 8/1/2025.

Submit Professional Writing Award Nomination

The criteria for this award is as follows:

  • The individual must be a TCA member for at least one full year preceding the nomination.
  • The written document must be submitted with the resume as a part of the documented evidence. The document must pertain to counseling and guidance activities.
  • The Professional Writing Award cannot be given to an individual in the following areas:
    • Doctoral dissertations.
    • Masters papers.

An individual TCA member, a Chapter or a Division may submit a nomination for the Professional Writing Award.

Layperson Exemplary Service Award

This award is presented annually by the Texas Counseling Association to a layperson as recognition of his/her exemplary service in the support and promotion of guidance and counseling in the State of Texas. 

Nominations for this award close on 8/1/2025.

Submit Layperson Exemplary Service Award Nomination

The criteria for this award is as follows:

  • Nominees must not be in the profession of guidance and counseling.
  • Provide documented evidence of the individual's support and promotion of counseling and guidance.
  • Submitting a resume is suggested, but not required.

An individual TCA member, Chapter or Division may submit a nomination for this award.

Outstanding TCA Chapter Award

This award is presented to a regional Chapter of the Texas Counseling Association in recognition of their exemplary service to their members and in the support and promotion of professional counseling in the State of Texas. 

Nominations for this award close on 8/1/2025.

Submit Outstanding TCA Chapter Award Nomination

The criteria for this award is as follows:

  • Documented evidence, no more than ten pages, such as communication, service to membership, research activities, promotional activities, and any other data that reflect the Chapter's accomplishment during the previous association year.
  • Consideration will be given to Chapter newsletters based on originality and creativity, promotion of professional counseling and enhancement of Chapter activities. One copy of each issue of the newsletter should be submitted.
  • Consideration will also be given to activities that focus attention on human rights issues, such as workshops, special projects, development of materials, or interactions with other groups or associations. Entries should contain documentation of or implications for change relative to an area of human rights. The entries should demonstrate that activities were an intentional act of the Chapter to address the topic of human rights.
  • Consideration will be given to public relations products that positively promote the guidance and counseling profession to the public. The product can be, but is not limited to, the following: brochure, video tape, newspaper series, T-shirt, or billboard. The product must be a non-commercial item and must be sent to the committee. If it is impossible to send the product, an enlarged photograph will suffice. Entries should list specific markets/groups targeted by the public relations activity/product. Some public acknowledgment of the public relations effort should be included, such as letters from the community, newspaper articles, etc.
  • In the area of membership, consideration will be given to the Chapter with the greatest annual percentage of growth in TCA membership during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Creative and innovational promotional activities, projects, or strategies for encouraging membership in TCA and the Chapter will be taken into consideration as well as the Chapter's processes of recognizing new members and acknowledging current members sponsoring/promoting professional membership. Chapter strategies for inclusion of all kinds of counselors, for flexibility in accommodation for various meeting structures (e.g. time, date, location, needs assessments, survey results, etc.) and for communication in inviting and keeping TCA members should be listed. Upon receiving the award, the Chapter should be prepared to share information about their promotional projects and strategies. This information would be shared through Guidelines, information sent to Chapters by the Membership/Member Services Committee, and a display at the Membership/Members Services booth.

Individual Chapter members or groups of members may submit nominations.

Outstanding TCA Division Award

This award is presented to a practice-specific Division of the Texas Counseling Association in recognition of their exemplary service to their members and in the support and promotion of professional counseling in the State of Texas. 

Nominations for this award close on 8/1/2025.

Submit Outstanding TCA Division Award Nomination

The criteria for this award is as follows:

  • Documented evidence, no more than ten pages, such as communication, service to membership, research activities, promotional activities, and any other data that reflect the Division's accomplishment during the previous association year.
  • Consideration will be given to Division newsletters based on originality and creativity, promotion of professional counseling and enhancement of Division activities. One copy of each issue of the newsletter should be submitted.
  • Consideration will also be given to activities that focus attention on human rights issues, such as workshops, special projects, development of materials, or interactions with other groups or associations. Entries should contain documentation of or implications for change relative to an area of human rights. The entries should demonstrate that activities were an intentional act of the Division to address the topic of human rights.
  • Consideration will be given to public relations products that positively promote the guidance and counseling profession to the public. The product can be, but is not limited to, the following: brochure, video tape, newspaper series, T-shirt or billboard. The product must be non-commercial item and must be sent to the committee. If it is impossible to send the product, an enlarged photograph will suffice. Entries should list specific markets/groups targeted by the public relations activity/product. Some public acknowledgment of the public relations effort should be included, such as letters from the community, newspaper articles, etc.
  • In the area of membership, consideration will be given to the Division with the greatest annual percentage of growth in TCA membership during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) Creative and innovational promotional activities, projects, or strategies for encouraging membership in TCA and the Division will be taken into consideration as well as the Division's processes of recognizing new members and acknowledging current members sponsoring/promoting professional membership. Division strategies for inclusion of all kinds of counselors, for flexibility in accommodation for various meeting structures (e.g. time, date, location, needs assessments, survey results, etc.) And for communication in inviting and keeping TCA members should be listed. Upon receiving the award, the Division should be prepared to share information about their promotional projects and strategies. This information would be shared through Guidelines, information sent to Divisions by the Membership/Member Services Committee, and a display at the Membership/Member Services booth

Individual Division members or groups of members may submit nominations.

Recognizing the Best in Professional Counseling

Our members work hard for the advancement of professional counseling in Texas. TCA offers several awards to recognize hard work in all aspects of the field. Award winners are recognized annually at our Professional Growth Conference in November.

Award Archives

Questions? For additional questions regarding the TCA Awards, contact bobbie@txca.org.