Become a Counselor Advocate With NBCC Government Affairs Resources

Counselors have the ability to advocate for the needs impacting the profession. NBCC’s Government Affairs Department offers different opportunities so you can play a role in this important work. Whether you’re passionate about supporting initiatives at the state, federal, or global levels, there’s a space for you to champion counselors and mental health.

To start, join NBCC’s grassroots network. In the easy online grassroots subscription form, you can tell us your advocacy interests, whether you have experience contacting lawmakers, and if you want to become a grassroots leader in your community. From there, NBCC will email you personalized information on how to begin your preferred advocacy work.

Connect to Votervoice and read updates on the Interstate Counseling Compact and other laws or bills you can help support. When you click on a post, you’ll find a section where you can email or call your representatives. In that same section, there’s an option to post about the topic on X. NBCC staff have written drafts for the email and social media post. All you need to do is personalize the message and add your contact information.

In Votervoice, you can also sign up for email alerts about specific topics. Learn about the latest advocacy opportunities right from your inbox.

Is there something you want to advocate for that isn’t listed on NBCC’s website? Check out the NBCC Guide to Advocacy Communication. This guide explains what you should include to effectively communicate with your representatives. Whether you prefer to advocate via email, social media, or a phone call, NBCC’s guide will help you communicate a clear and concise message.

Educate yourself on the key issues before you begin to advocate. Explore NBCC’s Government Affairs Newsroom and Digest. In the newsroom, you’ll find articles about public policy issues affecting the counseling profession. The digest gives you the highlights of mental health–related topics within the news, which are organized by topic each week.

Advocacy work doesn’t stop once a law or bill is passed. Learn how to respond afterward. NBCC worked for more than a decade to help secure Medicare coverage for mental health counselors. This finally happened in January 2024, but counselors may need guidance on working with older clients and the intricacies of the Medicare process now that the coverage is in place. Discover the Medicare Webinar Series. Learn about Medicare Advantage plans, what mental health disorders can look like in older adults, and more.

However you choose to advocate, NBCC is committed to supporting you each step of the way. If you have any questions about getting involved, please contact govtaffairs@nbcc.org.