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TCA News

Announcement of TCA Election Results

In accordance with our Governance Manual, it is my honor, as Immediate Past President and Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee, to formally announce the certified results of the recent TCA elections.

Please join me in congratulating our newly elected leaders:

  • TCA President-elect: Mario De La Garza
  • TCA Secretary: Wendy Helmcamp
  • Region II Director: Wayne Smith
  • Region V Director: Latosha Kessell

The terms of those elected will begin on July 1, 2025.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our nominations and elections process. Leadership is both challenging and important, and the willingness to step into these roles should always be acknowledged and celebrated.

I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to the members of the Nominations and Elections Committee and the dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth and successful process. TCA is a large and dynamic organization that thrives because of the collaboration between our volunteer leaders and staff.

Thank you all for your unwavering commitment to TCA and to the counseling profession across Texas.

Warm regards,

Katherine Bacon
Immediate Past President
Chair, Nominations and Elections Committee

TCA Newsline Archives

TCA Newsline is sent weekly to all TCA members and is a comprehensive collection of timely news from across Texas and around the nation. Articles focus on topics of interest to professional counselors and other mental health professionals.

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TCA News: TCA Welcomes New CEO Elke R. Gonzalez

Aug 22, 2023

After an extensive nationwide search, the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) has named Elke R. Gonzalez as their new Chief Executive Officer.

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LPCs and LMFTs Become Independent Medicare Providers - We Did It!

JAN 3, 2023

The omnibus funding measure passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in December included a provision to authorize LPCs and LMFTs to bill Medicare as independent providers. 

Senator John Cornyn was the only Republican from Texas to support this legislation. Rulemaking is the next step in the process for independent billing. ACA will take the lead on this process. TCA will keep you informed. Thanks so much to everyone who ever made a call, held a visit or sent an email to support this initiative. 

TCA News: TCA's Statement on Racial Injustice

JUN 1 2020

TCA must speak out as Texas and our nation struggle with the violent pandemic of racial injustice. Too many people are dying. We cannot stand on the sidelines...

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Archive: TCA in the News

TX Capital Tonight
 
Jan 7, 2019    School Counselors & School Safety  
TX Capital Tonight May 29, 2018 Increasing Number of School Counselors Encouraged
 
 
Houston Public Media May 28, 2018 Helping Students Return to School After a Shooting
 
 
Austin American-Statesman May 25, 2018 As Abbot Weighs Gun Violence Proposals, Cost will be an Issue
 
 
Austin American-Statesman May 31, 2017 Retiring High School Counselors Share 70 Years of Lessons
 
 
Star Local Media May 12, 2017 GISD Staff and Students Recognized
 
 
Community Impact Newspaper May 8, 2017 Counselors: Community Colleges Along with Dual-Credit Courses Help Curb Costs
 
 
Denton Record-Chronicle April 12, 2017 After Recent Suicides in Denton, Counselors Talk Prevention
 
 
The Pine Log April 5, 2017 Professor Named Woman of the Year for Higher Education
 
 
The Rockwall County Herald-Banner February 12, 2017 Rockwall High School counseling staff recognized for excellence
 
 

Temple Daily Telegram

December 28, 2016 Temple and Belton schools strive to make safe space for all
 
 
McKinney Courier-Gazette May 22, 2016 McKinney ISD names new director of guidance and counseling
 
 
Austin American Statesman February 28, 2016 Texas counselors battling over proposed 'distance' therapy restrictions
 
 
Rowlett Lakeshore Times February 24, 2016 'Reinforce Excellence': Liberty Grove, Stephens elementary schools receive counseling award
 
 
KXAN-NBC TV News February 11, 2016 Some Austin Schools Face Counselor Shortage
 
 
Office of the Education Commissioner - TEA February 5, 2016 TEA Commissioner Recognizes the Services, Hard Work and Dedication of Texas School Counselors
 
 
SanAngelo Live! February 1, 2016 Governor Abbott Declares This Week as 'School Counseling Week'
 
 
Office of the Governor January 27, 2016 Governor Abbott Issues Proclamation Declaring 'School Counseling Week in Texas' -
February 1-5, 2016

 
 
Office of the Governor December 9, 2015 Governor Abbott Appoints Three To Texas State Board Of Examiners Of Professional Counselors
 
 
McKinney Town Square Buzz December 7, 2015 MHS’ Cranmore, Akins Earn 2015 Texas Counseling Association Outstanding Research Award
 
 
Dallas Child Magazine November 2015 Beyond Physical Health - an interview with BJ Barksdale, TCA President
 
 
Dallas Morning News November 6, 2015 High school seniors' career choices lining up well with Texas' future needs
 
 
Angelo State University News October 13, 2015 ASU Prof Named Counseling Educator of Year
 
 
KLRU September 30, 2015 KLRU Blog: Caring, consistent adults key to child success
 
 
Cypress Creek Mirror September 24, 2015 Seven inductees to join CFISD Wall of Fame
 
 
Counseling Today September 23, 2015 Retaining family focus
 
 
Allen American August 24, 2015 Collin College counselor named Texas Counseling Association president-elect
 
 
Corpus Christi Caller Times June 6, 2015 Counselor Honored as Outstanding
 
 
North East Independent School District News May 28, 2015 Madison home to top counselor in South Texas
 
 
KVII - TV News Channel 7 May 8, 2015 Former WT Director speaks about her transgender transition
 
 
KFDA - TV News Channel 10 May 7, 2015 Lecture on transgender equality issues
 
 
Waco Tribune April 16, 2015 Waco ISD board urges administration to allow private counselors on campuses
 
 
Waco Tribune April 2, 2015 Waco ISD shuts down private on-campus psychological counseling visits
 
 
KWES - TV News Channel 9 February 19, 2015 Advocates from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Join with Mental Health Groups to Urge Texas Lawmakers to Expand the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Workforce
 
 
The Brownsville Herald February 5, 2015 UT-RGV president: Counselors help students move up
 
 
The Tomball Potpopurri February 4, 2015 Family-to-Family Education course
 
 
News OK January 9, 2015 How to retire well
 
 
Humble Observer December 8, 2014 Humble ISD staff member named Supervisor of the Year by Texas School Counselor Association
 
 
Woodlands Online November 21, 2014 CISD Superintendent Dr. Don Stockton honored by Texas A&M University
 
 
Waco Tribune November 20, 2014 News briefs: Ethics Program
 
 
New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung November 1, 2014 Area elementary counselor wins award for work
 
 
KLRU Blog September 22, 2014 American Graduate Day 9/27
 
 
Waco Tribune September 18, 2014 News Briefs: HOTC Counseling
 
The El Paso Times September 13, 2014 EPISD Teachers, Coaches, Counselors to Discuss Domestic Violence with Students
 
Alice Echo News Journal July 10, 2014 Alice Native Named President at San Antonio College
 
El Paso Inc. July 6, 2014 New Rules Could Limit Mental Health Care for Soldiers
 
San Antonio Express-News July 1, 2014 Alamo Colleges Board Picks Two New Presidents
 
The Marlin Democrat June 25, 2014 MHS’s Brown Named Top Counselor in Area
 
Liberty County Vindicator May 27, 2014 Lee College Veterans Center Director Offers Guidance and Support to Incarcerated Vets
 
Texas Tribune April 21, 2014 Pressure to Pick Career Path Vexes Some Students
 
Cypress Creek Mirror April 11, 2014 Davenport Selected for College Board Membership Advisory Team
 
Deer Park Broadcaster February 5, 2014 DPJH Counselors Receive CREST Award for Fifth Year
 
Cypress Creek Mirror February 4, 2014 Klein Forest Counselor Receives Top Honor
 
Victoria Advocate January 25, 2014 Health care providers partner to provide mental health care
 
Longview News-Journal January 23, 2014 New Mental Health Law Challenges School Districts
 
Dallas Morning News January 13, 2014 57 Dallas ISD Counselors Receive State Recognition
 
Killeen Daily Herald January 4, 2014 Aware Center Focuses on Violence Prevention, Family Needs
 
San Angelo Standard-Times December 20, 2013 Standard-Times applauds
 
Dallas Morning News December 18, 2013 East Dallas schools among those in DISD to receive CREST awards
 
La Voz De Houston December 15, 2013 Los consejeros académicos, pieza clave para ayudar a estudiantes indocumentados
 
Jacksboro Gazette December 5, 2013 FCH adds help line
 
News @ Tech October 5, 2013 Awards luncheon honors Louisiana Tech’s 2013 Alumni of the Year
 
Dallas Morning News August 19, 2013 High School Counselors Face Learning Curve as State Law Assigns New Roles
 
Texas Tribune  July 14, 2013 Districts Prepare for New High School Diploma Rules
 
New York Times July 13, 2013  High School Diploma Becomes Less General
 
TCA Press Release June 21, 2013 TCA Honors Senator Lucio with TCA Presidential Award
 
Victoria Advocate April 7, 2013 State investigating Victoria day-care center after abuse allegations
 
The Daily Tribune December 6, 2012 MPISD counselor wins state award
 
Fort Worth Star Telegram November 17, 2012 Northwest High counselor receives statewide award
 
Victoria Advocate October 7, 2012 UHV associate professor to receive state counseling award
 
New York Times September 1, 2012 At Age 59, Interning to Fulfill Old Dream
 
Midland-Reporter Telegram August 29, 2012 MISD hires crisis counselor to help students with mental health issues