ACTS - Anchored Counseling and Therapy Services Dothan AL 36305

The American Counselor’s Council (ACTS) is a non-profit association representing and educating the counseling profession. ACTS offers educational and professional counseling programs, workshops, and community events that empower counselors to help their clients achieve a higher quality of life. Their goal is to ensure that all qualified and licensed professionals practice within the law and that the public receive appropriate counseling and therapy services. They also strive to increase public awareness of counseling and to develop an awareness of counselors and their responsibilities. The primary function of ACTS is to establish standards and guidelines for professional training and continuing education activities.

A counselor is licensed by an organization, such as the American Counseling Association or the National Council for Professional Development, in order to provide mental health and substance abuse counseling. If a counselor does not have this certification, he/she can seek certification through the American Psychological Association or other recognized accreditation agencies. The Counseling profession also has a professional standard code of ethics and a Code of Professional Responsibility. It is also important that counselors are certified by one of the above organizations. A counselor’s certification ensures that they have been properly trained to provide their client with a comprehensive service that meets the client’s needs and goals. In Alabama, counselors must be certified by the National Certification Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NCBT) before they can register with the Alabama State Board of Marriage Licensing & Discipline.

In order to become certified by an NCPT, counselors must complete a two-hour training program. Once they pass their test and receive a certificate, they can then work with the Alabama State Board of Marriage Licensing & Discipline to become licensed. The first step in becoming licensed as a psychologist or marriage counselor is to complete the certification exam and then the process is the same in order to practice in Alabama.