Dear Members,

June 30th, marks the halfway point in my term as President-Elect of the European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA), and we have just concluded the 2026 Learning Institute in Espoo, Finland. For those who attended, thank you for joining us for what was an intimate and growth-filled weekend. The connections and conversations that began in Finland continue to inform the work ahead as we look toward our next gathering.

 

Our annual conference is only a few months away, and the conference committee is hard at work preparing the call for proposals. Please watch for upcoming communications about EB-ACA's 67th Annual Conference, taking place October 21–24, 2026, in Athens, Greece.

 

As we move into this second half of the year, I have also been reflecting on what makes our association unique and important within the counseling profession, and how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve this organization—and, more importantly, to serve each of you.

 

I first became involved with EB-ACA because I believe deeply in fostering mutual learning across counseling communities and cultural contexts and the association offered me the opportunity to make those connections. I am also passionate about supporting mental health professionals who are interested in international counseling practice and helping create meaningful pathways for professional engagement across borders. Our association occupies a distinctive space within the profession by creating opportunities for counselors to connect, collaborate, and grow through international perspectives and shared experiences.

 

At a time when many of the challenges we face are increasingly global, opportunities for international learning and collaboration are more important than ever. Whether we are responding to evolving mental health needs, exploring innovative clinical approaches, engaging in counselor education, or advocating for those we serve, we benefit from engaging with diverse professional perspectives and cultural contexts. Our association provides a place where those important exchanges can and do happen.

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Many of our members are based in the United States, while much of our work focuses on professional development connected to counseling beyond the U.S., particularly within the European counseling landscape. This presents both opportunities and challenges. While distance can at times make engagement more complex, it also creates space for meaningful international partnerships, professional relationships, and cultural exchange that strengthen our work and enrich our profession.

 

What continues to inspire my involvement is the opportunity to support students, counselors and counselor educators interested in international practice. Whether members are working abroad, collaborating across borders, preparing students for global engagement, or seeking to better understand counseling in different cultural contexts, our association offers a meaningful space for connection and professional development. By sharing knowledge and experiences across countries and cultures, we strengthen our individual work and our collective ability to serve diverse communities.

 

Our annual conference and Learning Institute remain central to this mission. These gatherings provide valuable continuing education while also creating space for members to exchange ideas, build relationships, and strengthen professional connections. Beyond earning Continuing Education credits, they remind us that we are part of a broader global community committed to growth, learning, and service.

 

At the same time, our association is much more than these events. It is a network of professionals committed to international engagement, lifelong learning, and strengthening practice across diverse counseling contexts. It is a place where new ideas can emerge, partnerships develop, and members find colleagues who share their interests and aspirations.

 

Looking ahead, I believe there is a tremendous opportunity to expand our impact. We can strengthen relationships with counseling professionals and organizations across Europe, increase access to continuing education regardless of location, and create new avenues for collaboration, mentorship, research, and professional exchange. Most importantly, we can continue building a community that supports those committed to international counseling practice.

 

To realize this vision, we need your involvement.

 

Professional associations are strongest when members actively contribute their ideas, expertise, and leadership. Whether you are a long-time member or a newly joined member, your voice matters. We invite you to explore opportunities to serve—through committees, conference planning, educational programming, special projects, or future leadership roles.

 

We also want to hear from you. In the coming weeks, you will receive a member survey designed to better understand your interests, priorities, and ideas for the future. Your feedback will directly inform decisions about programming, continuing education, partnerships, member services, and strategic priorities. I encourage you to take a few moments to share your perspective.

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The future of our association depends not only on its leadership, but on the engagement of its members. Together, we can strengthen connections across counseling communities, expand opportunities for learning and collaboration, and build a vibrant professional community that serves both current and future generations of counselors.

 

Thank you for your membership, your commitment to the profession, and your willingness to help.

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Warm Regards,
Rhonda Neswald, President-Elect EB-ACA