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07/20/2026

New to PCA for 2026: CARIA Scholarship; Presidential Office Hours Greetings PCA!

We are pleased to share two new initiatives for PCA this year! 

PCA Membership Scholarship - Breaking Barriers: Voices for Change.

Presented by PCA’s Committee for Anti-Racism and Inclusive Access (CARIA) and co-sponsored by PCA, PS-SAIGE, and PASERVIC.

Our Mission: CARIA is committed to promoting anti-racist, inclusive, and equitable practices within the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. Our mission is to increase representation of marginalized individuals within PCA in efforts to continue to diversify the organization. With that in mind, we recognize the importance of decreasing barriers and increasing access to membership in professional organizations. Please visit PCA’s Membership Page to explore the benefits of becoming a PCA member.

Additionally, this scholarship reflects the Pennsylvania Counseling Association’s commitment to:

Criteria to Apply:

  1. Self-identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color (BBIPOC); BBIPOC+Queer individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.
  2. Identify as a member of the counseling profession (all levels of education are welcomed and licensure is not required).

How to Apply:

Write a statement (1 page max) expressing why representation matters to you, and your hopes for how a PCA membership can support you in advancing your educational/career goals. 

Deadline to Apply: August 28th, 2026. Please submit application materials for cariapca2026@gmail.com.

 

26-27 Presidential Office Hours

One of my goals this year is to create more opportunities for connection, conversation, and accessibility across the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. To help make that happen, I am excited to introduce monthly Presidential Office Hours.

Each month, I will host a virtual drop-in session where any PCA member, or prospective member, is welcome to join. There is no agenda and no appointment needed, just an opportunity to connect. Prospective members are also welcome to join! 

Whether you have questions about the association, ideas for new initiatives, concerns you'd like to discuss, feedback to share, or simply want to introduce yourself, I hope you'll stop by. These conversations are an opportunity for me to hear directly from our members and better understand how PCA can best serve our profession.

Throughout the year, several office hours will feature one of PCA's committees or divisions. These special sessions will give members the opportunity to learn more about the work being done across the association, ask questions directly of committee and division leaders, explore ways to get involved, and share ideas that can help shape future initiatives.

Office Hours will typically be held toward the end of each month, with dates and featured committees or divisions announced in advance. To help us plan for each session and ensure participants receive the meeting information, attendees will be asked to register in advance. Whether you join for a few minutes or stay for the entire session, I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to connect, ask questions, share ideas, and engage with PCA leadership.

I look forward to connecting with you and continuing to strengthen PCA through open dialogue, collaboration, and shared leadership.

July Office Hours: PCA President x PASGW

July 31st, 2:30-3:30PM EST

The President of PASGW will be joining me to talk about what the division does, and how you can get involved! Whether you have questions about PASGW, want to talk about the work PCA can do to support specialists in group work, or the new Ethics Code, we hope you can join. General PCA interest is also welcome! 

Sign up here for July!

August Office Hours: PCA President x Emerging Leaders Committee

August 24th, 6:00-7:00PM EST

Members of the NEW Leadership Committee from the Emerging Leaders Program will be joining me to discuss this exciting program that is preparing to welcome their second cohort of leaders this fall. Whether you're interested in leadership development, becoming a mentor, or supporting the program as a committee member, we would love to hear from you! General PCA interest is also welcome! Please note that the application period for cohort 2 of the PCA Emerging Leaders Program has closed for this year. 

Sign up here for August!

  1. Joseph Charette II, PhD, LPC, NCC

58th President of PCA

Pennsylvania Counseling Association

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