The Colorado Counseling Association: A Legacy of Professional Excellence
The Colorado Counseling Association (CCA) stands as an active state branch of the American Counseling Association and has distinguished itself as one of the nation's leading professional membership organizations in the field of mental health. Through decades of dedicated service, the CCA has championed the counseling profession in Colorado, advancing clinical excellence, ethical practice, and professional development for mental health counselors across the state.
Foundation and Growth
Like many state branches of the American Counseling Association, the Colorado Counseling Association was established to bring professional counselors together at the state level. As the counseling field evolved from its vocational guidance roots into a distinct mental health profession during the latter half of the 20th century, counselors across Colorado recognized the need for a unified voice that could address the unique challenges and opportunities within the state.
The formation of the CCA reflected a growing understanding that while national organizations like ACA provided essential leadership and resources for the profession as a whole, state-level associations were critical for addressing licensure issues, state legislative concerns, regional professional development needs, and the building of local professional communities. Colorado's counselors sought to create an organization that would not only connect practitioners across the state but would also serve as a powerful advocate for the profession in the state capital and beyond.
From its earliest days, the CCA has distinguished itself through a clear and unique mission: to empower, equip, and advocate for professional counselors in Colorado. This distinctive three-part purpose has guided every initiative, from establishing the legislative victories that shaped the profession to creating the educational programs that support counselor excellence today.
Legislative Leadership and Advocacy
The CCA has established itself as a formidable advocate for the counseling profession, achieving legislative victories that have fundamentally shaped mental health practice in Colorado:
Creating the LPCC Licensure Designation: The CCA played an instrumental role in establishing the Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) designation in Colorado, creating a clear pathway for pre-licensed counselors and ensuring appropriate supervision and scope of practice during this critical professional development phase.
Establishing Supervision Standards: Recognizing that quality clinical supervision is essential to developing competent counselors, the CCA advocated for high standards in clinical supervision practice, elevating the profession's commitment to mentorship and professional development.
Interstate Practice Through the LPC Compact: The CCA successfully championed Colorado's participation in the Licensed Professional Counselor Compact, enabling licensed counselors to practice across state lines and expanding access to mental health services for clients while creating new professional opportunities for Colorado counselors.
Medicaid Policy Advancement: Through consistent advocacy efforts, the CCA has worked to improve Medicaid policies affecting counselors and their clients, fighting for fair reimbursement rates, expanded coverage for mental health services, and reduced barriers to care for Colorado's most vulnerable populations.
These legislative achievements represent more than policy wins. They reflect the CCA's commitment to strengthening the counseling profession while ultimately improving access to quality mental health care for all Coloradans.
Building Through Volunteer Leadership
The CCA's strength has always resided in its volunteers, professionals who have invested countless hours to build an organization that serves the entire counseling community. Over the past two decades, these dedicated individuals have:
- Led successful advocacy campaigns that shaped mental health legislation and regulation in Colorado
- Established robust continuing education programming that keeps Colorado counselors at the forefront of clinical practice
- Created networking opportunities that have strengthened professional connections across the state
- Built systems and structures that support both emerging and established counseling professionals
Academic Partnerships
The CCA's success has been significantly strengthened through collaborative partnerships with Colorado's counselor education programs. Universities including the University of Northern Colorado, Regis University, and Colorado Christian University have provided vital student and faculty support at various points in the CCA's history. These academic partnerships have fostered student engagement, bridged the gap between counselor education and professional practice, supported leadership development among emerging professionals, and enriched conference programming and professional development offerings.
A Thriving Professional Community
The CCA's impact is evident in both the quality and reach of its current operations. After decades of sustained membership growth, the CCA has established itself as one of the most vibrant state counseling associations in the nation.
Annual Conference: The CCA's annual conference has become one of the largest gatherings of any ACA state branch in the country, bringing together hundreds of counseling professionals for cutting-edge professional development, networking, and celebration of the profession. This premier event showcases national and regional experts, provides practical clinical training, and creates community among Colorado's diverse counseling professionals.
Continuing Education Excellence: Through the Colorado Counseling Association Continuing Education (CCACE) program, the CCA provides NBCC-approved, high-quality online trainings that result in continuing education units (CEUs). This accessible platform ensures that counselors across Colorado, from urban centers to rural communities, have opportunities to maintain their licensure while staying current with emerging clinical practices and ethical standards.
Looking Forward
As the counseling profession continues to evolve and the mental health needs of Coloradans grow, the CCA remains committed to its founding mission: to empower, equip, and advocate for professional counselors in Colorado. With a strong foundation built by dedicated volunteers, supportive academic partnerships, and a track record of meaningful legislative victories, the CCA is positioned to continue its leadership role in advancing the counseling profession for decades to come.
In the more recent history, the CCA was inspired by past presidents:
- Michelle Stevens, MA, LPC, JD- 2011-2012
- Dr. Dale Piper, PsyD, LPC- 2012-2013
- Dr. Linda Osterlund, PhD, LMFT- 2013-2014
- Sean Boyd, MA, LPC - 2014-2015
- Marc Coulter, MA, LPC - 2015-2016
- Jamie Davila, MA, LPC - 2016-2017
- Dr. Julaine Field, Ph.D., LPC, NCC - 2017-2018
- Dr. Ryan M. Burkhart, EdD, LPC - 2018-2019
- Dr. Rebecca Taylor, PhD, LPC - 2019-2020
- Dr. Gregory Elliott, PhD., LPC - 2020-2021
- Tonya Kron, LPC - 2022-2024
- Dr. Vasti Holstun, PhD., LPC - 2024-2025
Current President:
- Trever Shirtin, LPC - 2025-2026
The CCA is currently supported by the Executive Director, who serves at the pleasure of the Governing Council:
- Dr. Ryan M. Burkhart, EdD, LPC - Executive Director