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History.

Founded in April 1999, the Counselors for Social Justice formed to push the importance of promoting social justice within ACA and the broader counseling profession. CSJ continues to serve as the "Social Conscience of ACA" and takes action to publish strong position statements, newsletters, journals, and research. 

CSJ   accomplishments

Since its conception, CSJ has been a consistent voice for counselors involved in social justice work. CSJ members have successfully advocated on a number of issues including: healthcare for women, equal access for disabled, issues of discrimination against the LGBTQ community, racism, classism, and immigration to name a few. CSJ has had an active voice within ACA, taking positions and issuing a number of statements such as one criticizing the use of reparative therapy, promoting the Multicultural Competencies, developing and instituting the Social Justice Advocacy competencies and most recently ushering the multiracial competencies through the Governing Council. 

​Our   History

Founding members believed in fostering increased levels of empowerment, psychological liberation, critical thinking, and the importance of having a social justice voice within ACA and the counseling profession. CSJ began through discussions between individuals from groups such as the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW), and the National Career Development Association (NCDA), who wanted to discuss the multicultural competency movement and the opportunity for ACA to better commit to multiculturalism. We remain committed to these founding ideals.

Read the full CSJ History

Notable accomplishments include:

• 2025: CSJ hosts its first-ever conference, as a direct response to ACA's decision to have their conference in Florida
• 2020: In response to ongoing undue police violence, CSJ led numerous interdivisional programs during the summer of 2020. These events were co-sponsored by ACA, all ACA divisions, ACA regions, and ACA Foundation.
  
• 2010: Manivong Ratts, Rebecca Toporek, and Judy Lewis published a book on the Social Justice Advocacy Competencies.
  
• 2007: CSJ has partnered with Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR) to publish The Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology (JSACP)
  
• 2005: ACA endorsed a number of resolutions promoting a socially responsible approach to counseling
  
• 2003: Social Justice Advocacy Competencies developed by Judy Lewis, Mary Smith Arnold, Reese House, and Rebecca Toporek, Officially Endorsed by ACA
  

CSJ ​ LOGOS

Former Logo 1999-2019

Design by Kate Madden

Past   Presidents

2024-2025 Chiquita Long Holmes
2023-2024 Shon Smith
​2022-2023 Ebony White
2021-2022 Delila Owens
​2020-2021 Colette Dollarhide
2019-2020 Lauren Shure
2018-2019 Anna Flores Locke
2017-2018 Rachael D. Goodman
2016-2017 Jane Goodman
2015-2016 Rita Chi-Ying Chung
2014-2015 Fred Bemak
2013-2014 Selma Yznaga
2012-2013 Rhonda Bryant

View all CSJ ELDERS AND FOUNDERS

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connect  with  csj

Join CSJ on social media @CSJNational and join our community on ACA Connect!

Still got questions? Email [email protected]

February 2024: PD webinar, "Mentoring the Marginalized and Minoritized: The Utilization of Critical Race Theory to Guide Mentorship."

​February 2024: PD webinar, "Why Do Black People Become Counselors? Results of a Grounded Theory Study." 

WATCH HERE

February 2024: I Need A Minute

March 2024: PD webinar, "Black MENtorship In Counseling."

WATCH HERE

March 2024: Advocacy Committee PD Webinar, "Understanding the Refugee Experience: Strength, Empowerment, & Advocacy." 

WATCH HERE

March 2024: Membership Committee PD Webinar, "Collective Learning: A Dialogue about Goals and Growth in Social Justice Practices." 

March 2024: PD Webinar, "Exploring the Criminalization of Black Male Youth from a Black Feminist Perspective." 

April 2024: "I Need A Minute." 

June 2024: MCSJ Annual Conference, "Normalizing Social Justice through Intersectionality, Diversity, and Inclusion."

July 2024: Advocacy Webinar, "Advocacy 101."

WATCH HERE

July 2024: "I Need A Minute"

August 2024: "I Need A Minute"

September 2024: Members & Chapters Fall Networking & Discussion Meeting.

October 2024: "I Need A Minute"

November 2024: "Cultivating Wellness for Queer Aging Men: A Conversation with Dr. Kooden."

Watch Here

November 2024: "CSJ Post-Election Community Town Hall."

December 2024: Student Committee Meeting

December 2024: Research Committee Webinar, "Social Justice and Advocacy Across the Counseling Landscape"

Watch Here

January 15, 2025: CSJ Chapter Leaders Forum

January 22, 2025: Advocacy Committee "I Need A Minute," facilitated by Sravya Gummaluri and Dr. Alex Hilert. This INAM space paid special attention to post-election community building.

March 5, 2025: Our Annual  Members Meeting is a chance to interact with the CSJ Board and learn more about CSJ as an organization. 

March 12, 2025: Advocacy Committee "I Need A Minute," facilitated by Dr. Sailume Walo-Roberts and Dr. Tina Onikoyi.

March 21, 2025: Research Committee  "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me around: Staying Grounding in Social Justice Principles During Challenging Times," with Dr. Cercie West-Olatunji.

May 21, 2025: CSJ New Member Orientation and Community Building: A CSJ member recently said that "CSJ is like family" and we shared what that means!