Divisions, Regional Chapters, and Affiliations
A PCA division is a unit of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association that focuses on a specific professional counseling specialty (as defined by the accreditation and board certification processes) or area of interest.
A PCA regional chapter is a unit of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association organized geographically.
PCA's Divisions
Pennsylvania Association of Child and Adolescent Counselors (PACAC)
As the name implies, this division seeks to provide resources and support for professional counselors who work directly or indirectly with children and adolescent clients. Working with children and adolescents can be very challenging. Counselors who work with children and adolescents must have a firm understanding of human development, family systems, learning styles, educational structures, and legal limitations.
Pennsylvania Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (PACES)
For professional counselors with an interest in research/teaching-related and/or clinical supervision issues.
Pennsylvania Association of Multicultural Counseling & Development (PAMCD)
For professional counselors with an interest in effective counseling practices for clients with multiple intersecting identities. PAMCD is a division of the American Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) They also endorse the competencies put forth by AMCD and ACA which support social justice advocacy for clientele, including the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies.
Pennsylvania Association of Specialists in Group Work (PASGW)
For professional counselors with an interest in issues related to the group counseling modality.
Pennsylvania Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling (PASERVIC)
For counselors with an interest in promoting the purpose of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and PCA; to create an environment that empowers and enables the expression, exploration, development, and research of evolving spiritual, ethical and religious values in private, religious, and public institutions; to provide state leadership in moral and social justice issues related to counseling; and to promote the integration of spiritual, ethical, and religious values in the current practices of the counseling profession.
Pennsylvania College Counseling Association (PCCA)
For professional counselors with an interest in issues related to college counseling and other areas of student service in higher education. Professionals working within this realm can benefit from having expanded and appropriate resources for consultation and support from a network of like-minded professionals, as working with this population can present a unique set of challenges.
Pennsylvania Military and Government Counseling Association (PAMGCA)
PAMGCA is dedicated to counseling clients and their families in local, state, and federal government or in military-related agencies.
Pennsylvania Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (PS-SAIGE)
Formerly PA Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling (PALGBTIC). PS-SAIGE promotes a greater understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender expansive issues among members of the counseling profession.
Affiliations
Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA)
The Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA) and the Pennsylvania School Counselor Association (PSCA) are pleased to announce a collaborative relationship that will support continued growth of both organizations as we continue to serve the best interests of school counselors nationwide. As of January 1, 2019, both organizations will operate independently and autonomously – a formal recognition of the existing relationship, which was voted on by the PCA Executive Committee on November 9, 2018. PCA and PSCA will continue to work together on common advocacy issues that strengthen the work of school counselors to support children and adolescents.
PCA Regional Chapters
Greater Philadelphia Area Counseling Association (GPACA)
The Greater Philadelphia Area Counseling Association is a regional chapter of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association who represent counselors in the Philadelphia area. The purpose of this chapter is to promote professional counseling and to support students and practicing counselors through networking and CEU opportunities.
Greater Pittsburgh Counseling Association (GPCA)
The Greater Pittsburgh Counseling Association (GPCA) is a regional chapter of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA). The southwest regional branch includes the following nine counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Westmoreland, and Washington. The purpose of our regional branch chapter is creating meaningful ways for professional counselors to benefit from the mission and vision of PCA. Read more about GPCA's purpose, benefits and membership.
Northeast Pennsylvania Counseling Association (NEPCA)
The Northeast Pennsylvania Counseling Association as a regional chapter of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, accepts the responsibility to serve and represent the professional counselors of the Northeast area of Pennsylvania by providing leadership and professional development. The purpose of the regional branch chapter is to enhance human development throughout the life span and to promote professional counseling.
