Advocacy Hub

Your voice makes the difference!

The Texas Counseling Association actively advocates for the counseling profession with both the Texas legislature and the mental health licensing boards. Our goal is to influence the creation of laws and rules that positively impact counselors as well as to improve access to mental health care for Texas citizens.

TCA Strategic Plan FY 2023 - FY 2028

YOU are the Texas Counseling Association's greatest asset in this advocacy process! TCA works hard to keep its members informed about current issues that impact the profession. Please use that information to speak up! We offer the following resources and tools to help you feel confident and comfortable advocating for your needs and the needs of your clients.

The 2025 legislative session is underway, and TCA is hard at work to fight for the rights of counselors across the state. You, the members, are the backbone of our advocacy efforts because of your ability to provide first-hand testimony on the benefits of counseling.

We are asking all interested TCA members to email Noah@TXCA.org to indicate your willingness to engage in advocacy during the 2025 legislative session (January-May 2025). Please note that filling out this form means you may be contacted to provide testimony at the Capitol or to state boards with short notice, so be prepared!

Know The Capitol

RECENT ADVOCACY NEWS

Mid-Session Update Webinar - April 4, 2025 at 12P

Thank you to those who attended.

Register for TCA Advocacy Day - April 15, 2025

Registration is open for TCA’s second Advocacy Day on Tuesday, April 15.

Register

TCA will provide limited breakfast options and lunch for onsite attendees. Onsite space is limited, so register early to lock in your seat.

TCA’s “Know Before You Go” webinar, was held on April 1.

If you can’t make it to the TCA Advocacy Day in April, don’t worry! TCA will have one more Advocacy Day on May 13.

TCA Advocacy Day - March 11, 2025

Hello TCA members,

On Tuesday, March 11th, TCA hosted our first advocacy day of the 89th legislative session. Rep. Janie Lopez (R-San Benito), author of a school counselor ratio bill, addressed our orientation session and then recognized TCA from the House floor.

Counselors, students, and advocates from across the state joined together in the Capitol to speak to their legislators about the issues that matter to the counseling profession. We spoke to offices about important issues like the Interstate Counseling Compact, Student Loan repayment for counselors, and our opposition to school vouchers.

Thank you to everyone who attended on Tuesday, from experienced advocates to first-timers. We hope this opportunity was one big step in your advocacy journey.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to TCA member and school counselor Jacque Cunningham. Jacque volunteered her time to provide TCA’s testimony in opposition to HB 3 and stayed until 5:30 in the morning to speak.

Here are a few photos from the day. Our next Advocacy Day is on April 15, 2025. Please email Noah@TXCA.org to sign-up for this date, or to ask any questions related to TCA Advocacy Day.

Look out for our upcoming Webinars including the Know Before You Go Webinar on 4/1 and our Mid-Session Update on 4/4.

The Quadrennial Rule Review Town Hall

Counseling Profession Meeting on August 13, 2024.

Speaking points of testimony included:

In favor of keeping the requirement of being fully licensed for 5 years before applying for the supervisor designation
In favor of keeping high academic standards for licensure and maintaining continuing education requirements for licensure renewal
Requested consideration of extending the expiration on the Supervision course for doctoral programs from 2 years to 5 years

Public comment on the Quadrennial 4-year Rule review remains open through September 1st.
Proposed Rule Changes and the Rulemaking Process: click here for info
Provide feedback here on the Public Comment Form: (Deadline 9/1 at 5 pm): click here for info