The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has released a proposed rule that would limit how much federal student aid graduate students can borrow to finance their education. The loan caps rule is tied to the definition ED is proposing for professional degree, which excludes Counseling and most other behavioral health professions. These changes are being proposed along with the elimination of the Grad PLUS program, which also assists graduate students in financing their education.

The loan caps rule is now open for public comment. ED is accepting feedback through March 2, 2026, after which the rule could be finalized and take effect on July 1, 2026. 

The full entry in the Federal register of the proposed rulemaking is available here.

Key Issue

A primary concern is that Counseling and most other behavioral health professions are excluded from ED’s definition of professional degrees, despite meeting the specified criteria. Students entering programs that are not designated by ED as professional degree programs are eligible for only half of the aggregate total federal graduate student loan amounts that will be available to those entering programs designated as professional degree programs. ED’s proposed list of professional degrees is limited to nine programs, most of which are doctoral level and in the medical professions: Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Chiropractic, Law, Medicine, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatry, Theology, and Clinical Psychology. Clinical Psychology is the only mental health program included. 

If implemented, these borrowing limits could significantly restrict access to counselor education programs at both the entry and doctoral levels and exacerbate the workforce shortage of qualified mental health professionals providing services addressing critical needs in the United States.

What is Needed

Counselor educators, counseling students, and counseling practitioners need to make their voices heard on these important issues during this public comment period. 

The Professional Counseling Leadership Coalition, consisting of CACREP, NBCC, ACES, CCE, AMHCA, AASCB, ACA, CRCC, and NAADAC has prepared resources, including instructions for submitting public comments and letter templates. 

Recommendations for the Use of the Resources

•   ED has strict guidelines as to where and how public comments can be submitted. The resources include step-by-step instructions for the submission of public comments.

• CACREP joins with its partner Counseling organizations in emphasizing the importance of this issue for educators, students, and practitioners alike. The importance of your participation in dissemination of this information cannot be overstated.

   

  Sincerely,

  CACREP
  

Public comments should be submitted prior to the deadline of March 2, 2026, to ensure they get included.

• Respondents must only submit one copy of their public comment.
• CACREP recommends that public comment letters be focused and limited to 1-2 pages.
• There are letter templates for use by counselor educators, counseling students, and counseling practitioners.
• Each letter template initially includes several pages of representative information addressing the harmful impact of the proposed changes on preparation programs and the mental health workforce. 
• We recommend that each respondent select several of the issues that are most salient to them in their respective role(s) and highlight these in their public comment, providing supporting data and examples, if available.

This summit brings together mental health professionals, organizational leaders, and policymakers to advance mental health equity through strategic policy engagement and evidence-based practice implementation. Participants will gain actionable frameworks for translating clinical expertise into policy influence while strengthening community-level intervention strategies.

Featured Keynote Speaker: Illinois State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, Chair of the Illinois Mental Health & Addiction Committee, will address legislative priorities and opportunities for expanding mental health access in underserved and historically marginalized communities.

Why Attend:

• Engage directly with Illinois policymakers and behavioral health system leaders
• Earn 10 CEUs (Social Workers & Counselors)
• Build cross-sector partnerships to advance your organization's mission

Ideal for: Clinical directors, program managers, policy analysts, community mental health leaders, and practitioners seeking to expand their impact beyond direct service delivery.

Registration:

• General Admission: $125
• Use promo code "impact" for $15 off

This summit offers a critical opportunity to strengthen the bridge between clinical practice, organizational leadership, and policy reform while expanding your professional network within Illinois's mental health infrastructure.

Register at: https://mentalhealthimpact.eventbrite.com

 Please share this invitation with colleagues and teams who would benefit from this professional development opportunity.

Governor JB Pritzker signed The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act into law which, "prohibits anyone from using AI to provide mental health and therapeutic decision-making, while allowing the use of AI for administrative and supplementary support services for licensed behavioral health professionals."

Read the full press release here.

As President of the Illinois Counseling Association (ICA), I am honored to serve you — our diverse members, valued partners, and the communities we stand alongside — and to greet you with gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to ICA’s mission: to enhance the quality of life in society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the counseling profession, and using the practice of counseling to uphold respect for human dignity and diversity.

At the heart of my leadership is a simple but profound truth: people do not grow or heal in isolation. This belief is shaped by the Bioecological Model, which reminds us that every individual is influenced by multiple layers of context — families, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, policies, and cultural norms. In our work as counselors, we do not simply serve individuals; we stand alongside them as they navigate these interconnected systems. As an Association, we too are part of this larger ecology, both influencing and being influenced by the evolving needs of our communities.

This perspective calls us to lead with intentionality — especially when it comes to promoting equitable access, cultural responsiveness, and an unwavering respect for human dignity. Counseling cannot fulfill its purpose without recognizing and honoring the unique identities, cultural contexts, and lived experiences our clients bring. We are ethically bound, under the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics, to protect the dignity and welfare of all people. This includes examining our own practices, addressing systemic barriers, and advocating for policies that ensure fair access to mental health support for every community.

Equally vital to our vision is a deep commitment to Trauma-Informed Care. We know that trauma shapes the lives of so many individuals and families we serve. Its impacts ripple outward, touching relationships, learning, health, and entire communities. A trauma-informed approach is more than a clinical technique — it is a way of seeing the whole person, recognizing resilience, and building trust. It calls on us to offer safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment in every space we hold — whether in a counseling session, a classroom, or an ICA leadership meeting.

Guided by these principles, I envision our Association as a place where counselors feel supported to grow professionally, ethically, and personally. It will be a place where we share knowledge, address inequities, amplify underrepresented voices, and build systems that heal rather than harm.

This year, we will expand opportunities for professional development, strengthen our advocacy efforts at the state and national levels, and continue building partnerships that advance the counseling profession while centering the well-being of the diverse communities we serve.

I invite each of you to be part of this work — to show up, speak out, and stay engaged. Together, rooted in our ethical commitments, our mission, and our shared humanity, we can shape a future where counselors, clients, and communities alike can flourish.

Thank you for the trust you place in ICA and in me. I look forward to serving alongside you this year.

In service and solidarity,



Dr. Nicole Lucy Thompson, LCPC

President, Illinois Counseling Association

This just in!

This morning ICA received confirmation from IDFPR that if you are applying for counselor licensure in the state of Illinois, you can submit your NCC certificate in lieu of the ED-PC form as proof of satisfactory education.

If you have any questions, please contact IDFPR directly:

• All Inquiries: 1-888-473-4858
• Professional Licensing: 1-800-560-6420
• FPR.LMU@illinois.gov

We're thrilled to introduce the newly elected officers of the Illinois Counseling Association! We're so excited to see the fresh perspectives and dedication they'll bring to our mission.

Please join us in congratulating:



• Mandy Kellums-Baraka, PhD, LCPC, NCC, RPTTM - President Elect-Elect
• Mary Ann Andrade-Bekker, Psy.D., LCPC - Region I Representative
• Tina Rockwell, M.A., LCPC, C-DBT - Region II Representative
• Patrice Henderson, LPC - Region VII Representative

We're looking forward to an amazing year of growth, collaboration, and advocacy under their leadership.

1. A minimum reimbursement rate for MH/SUD services will be set by administrative rule and must have the effect of being between the average and 75th percentile of reimbursement for all medical/surgical services as outlined in Appendix C-13 of the Research Triangle Institute Report.  (See attached summary chart noting the med/surg percentages).  This equates to a rate being set between 125% of the Medicare rate and 168% of the Medicare rate for the MH/SUD service; and
2. The rate floor must also be above the average reimbursement rate paid by the PPOs of the largest health insurer in Illinois for MH/SUD services.  This is several percentage points above the average in the RTI report.
3. The rate will be set by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and enforced by the Department of Insurance.  It will be put in Administrative Rule by both Departments.
4. If DHS uses a federal healthcare program (i.e., Medicare) as the rate benchmark and there is a decrease in federal reimbursement, MH/SUD rates will remain the same as the previous year (i.e., rates will not decrease).
5. The bill applies to all state-regulated plans except for the state employee health plan and all HMOs.  It will apply to school, municipal and county plans. 
6. The amendment also requires coverage of same-day BH services, requires coverage of 60-minute therapy without onerous documentation/auditing requirements, allows for supervision billing under a fully licensed provider, and streamlines the timeline for in-network contracting.

At this event, IDFPR representatives will be on hand to:

• Guide you through the online application and renewal process

• Answer questions about licensing requirements

• Provide one-on-one assistance to ensure your application is complete and accurate

This is a valuable opportunity to receive direct support and ensure your licensing is up to date, with minimal stress. Walk-ins welcome, but RSVPs will be prioritized. Register in advance to secure your spot!

Register here: https://shorturl.at/RY0vB

Did you know that ICA offers a FREE continuing education tracker? Download our fillable PDF here to track your continuing education earned for the March 31, 2027 licensure renewal.

It's not too early to get started!

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has launched a new, more efficient bulk license lookup tool!

The link to the new bulk license lookup tool can be found on IDFPR’s License Look Up webpage, which also houses the tool to check if a specific individual is licensed. Check out the instructions for the new bulk license lookup tool here.

Scam Alert Targeting Counselors

Dear Illinois Counselors, 

We have received reports of a scam targeting counselors. Individuals are receiving calls and emails from potential "clients" looking to schedule multiple appointments and pay in advance. These individuals will pay via check, and shortly after booking they will ask for a partial refund. Their check will bounce, but not before they are granted their partial “refund”. 

Please be extremely cautious of any unexpected communication and clients looking to book many sessions in advance via check. If something looks suspicious, investigate further. 

Please reference this article for more information: https://blog.therapynotes.com/watch-out-for-this-scam-targeting-therapists-and-counselors

This even is currently open to individuals that work at public institutions of higher education in Illinois. It is possible that it will be open to private institutions closer to the event date, depending on capacity, but currently it is only open for public staff. 

Register here.

My name is Joe Sanok, LCPC, and I was the keynote speaker at the Illinois Counseling Association in 2018. I was so impressed with the level of turn out you had, I hope you have only continued to grow! 

I am hosting a conference May 6-7, 2025 here in Traverse City, MI, it is the Group Practice Boss Conference. With the generous help of our local United Way, we're able to help therapists to learn and grow their business and clinical skills to have a thriving group practice, they absolutely love! 

We have a $100 discount to drop the ticket to $299 for any of your members, it is "CounselorDiscount".

Here is the link to the conference page: www.PracticeofthePractice.com/conference

Thanks again for having me back in 2018! I hope to see you at this event!

-Joe

WEBSITE ALERT: IDFPR is no longer affiliated with the idfpr[.]com domain name. The website currently hosted on that domain is not authorized by IDFPR and may pose a security threat to visitors. Please be sure to use only IDFPR’s official website at IDFPR.illinois.gov.

The Human Services Professional Loan Repayment Program is intended to provide loan repayment assistance to qualified human services professionals in an effort to recruit and retain them to work for community-based human services providers and to address the high turnover rate and struggle to maintain consistent staffing levels at human service agencies.

Program Description
Eligibility
How to Apply
Changes to Application Data
Required Documentation
How Funds Are Awarded and Disbursed
Processing Updates

Greetings Illinois Counseling Professionals,

Do you enjoy reading about new scholarship? Do you like offering feedback on people’s writing?

The Journal of Counseling in Illinois (JCI) is seeking Editorial Board Members! The job of an editorial board member is to review manuscripts submitted to the journal and provide feedback to both the authors and co-editors. We anticipate that each board member may review 4-5 manuscripts a year. Manuscripts are typically 10-13 pages. The time commitment is relatively small, and you get the experience of interfacing with new scholarship and providing feedback to authors on their research. An additional benefit is how the journal supports the counseling profession here in Illinois.

Interested applicants should review JCI's Manuscript Submission Guidelines (attached) to assess their fit with the journal's mission/aims. This is a great opportunity to try something new and strengthen your own editorial skills.

Preferred Qualifications for JCI Editorial Board Members:

• Master's degree or higher
• Writing or editing experience
• Current ICA membership (join here!)
  

To apply, please email a brief letter of interest and resume or CV to kewolff@northpark.edu and smdunham@ncat.edu.

Applications are due by February 15, 2025.

Regards,

JCI Co-Editors

Shea Michelle Dunham, PhD and Kara Wolff, PhD

• Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA)
• Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA)
• Behavior Analyst Continuing Education Sponsor
• Licensed Certified Professional Midwife

Attachments

• IDFPR Announces Additional License Types on New Online Licensing System

Dear Members,

Illinois Counseling Association would like to provide guidance and additional information on the new AI therapy apps. These apps are free but are typically not monitored by a therapist, although a therapist or therapist team has created some.  

As clinicians, we have an ethical responsibility to practice non-maleficence. If you do use AI apps or if you, your colleagues, or your clients are interested in using AI therapy apps, please consider the following: 

1. Review with the client what using AI apps may look like and the risks involved. 

2. Encourage the client to utilize their safety plan for any suicidal, homicidal, or other high-risk symptoms, as these apps may fail to assess these and other severe or clinically significant disclosures.

3. Consider whether your client might develop a dependency on the app, making them less social with humans. If this is likely, this would not be an appropriate referral resource. Instead, consider online support groups or in-person support groups that would allow the client to experience socializing with humans—some groups to refer to clients include therooms.com, www.aa.org, griefshare.org, and/or emotionsanonymous.org.

In addition, the American Counseling Association (ACA) has given us guidance in Whitcomb’s recent publication "Innovation unleashed “. She shares additional recommendations provided by Dr. Russel Fulmer, the Chair of an AI Work group at ACA. Dr. Fulmer and Whitcomb highlight the following recommendations: “Counselors should…

1. Learn about AI and stay informed about its progress

2. Ensure there is data security and privacy

3. Advocate for transparency with AI, such as in AI algorithms

4. Leverage AI for client benefit when appropriate

5. Understand that AI is imperfect and has potential benefits and harm if misused.

6. Counselors should be aware of concerns regarding AI. 

Dr. Fulmer and Whitcomb also suggests that "AI algorithms include the same fallibilities and biases of the humans who create them." Thus, as clinicians, we must also help our diverse clientele navigate tools that may have implicit bias in their response to our clients' multicultural experiences. Dr. Fulmer warns that "AI tools may also provide false claims or inaccurate information. Although they show promise as diagnostic aids, they can't replicate the professional reasoning and expertise required to assess an individual's mental health needs accurately". Thus, we must encourage our clients to consult with professionals, follow up with professional referrals and resources, and not solely rely on apps for mental care.

If you would like to learn more about the work group reference in the ACA article and view additional recommendations regarding the use of AI, please visit counseling.org/AIRecommendations.

If you would like to provide additional feedback to ICA regarding how you use AI and what you would like to see from ICA regarding more information and training on AI in therapy, please select the following link to complete a brief 1–2-minute survey:

References:

Whitcomb, I. (2025, January). Innovation unleashed. www.counseling.org. https://www.counseling.org/publications/counseling-today-magazine/article-archive/article/ct-jan-2025/innovation-unleashed

• “My name is _____, and I’m with ___________ organization.”

• “I am asking for the Senator’s support of HB4475.  I also would like the Senator to please urge your leadership to support the bill for Lame Duck session.  The bill will significantly improve access to behavioral healthcare for those with private insurance.”

• If your Senator is already a co-sponsor (list below)—

Update Courtesy of The Illinois Psychedelic Society

The Illinois Psychedelic Society would like to invite you to a subject matter hearing on December 10th, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Bilandic Building in Chicago, hosted by the State House of Representatives Behavioral Health Committee. The hearing will focus on "The Future of Psychedelics in Illinois: The CURE Act and Its Impact on Behavioral Health."

This event will feature personal testimonies from individuals who have benefited from psychedelic therapies, as well as presentations from clinical experts and policy advocates. The discussion will provide an in-depth look at how the Illinois CURE Act can expand access to these life-changing treatments for PTSD, depression, and other mental health conditions.

You and your organization’s voice and participation would greatly enrich the conversation, and we encourage you to join us as we explore the future of mental health care in Illinois.

Event Details :

• Date: December 10th, 2024
• Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Location: Bilandic Building, Chicago

Please RSVP . For more information, contact us at info@illinoispsychedelicsociety.org.

We hope to see you there.

Fact Sheet

Pregnant and post-partum individuals can call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA and be connected with free and confidential mental health support.

On November 14, 2024 the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced a new nationwide campaign to raise public awareness of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

Individuals using the hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) can call or text for support. This campaign is a result of efforts to improve maternal health and reduce maternal mortality and health disparities. While mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Read the full article here.

Join us on November 15 to learn about the Chicago Torture Justice Center’s politicized healing model!

Explore how politicized healing may be applied to clinical and organizing work in communities impacted by policing, divestment, racism, and other systems of oppression. Led by a CTJC facilitation team and designed for mental health workers, organizers, and community, this training is free! 6 CEUs are available.

Politicized Healing Training

Friday, November 15

10AM-4PM

At the Chicago Torture Justice Center, 6337 S. Woodlawn, Chicago IL 60637

FREE to attend - Lunch will be provided - 6 CEUs available

RSVP here