1987: The Georgia Mental Health Counselors Association (GMHCA) is formed.

1995: LPCA lobbies the Georgia Assembly to create the Scope of Practice Act, O.C.G.A. 43-10A, and holds its first Annual Legislative Breakfast.

1998: GMHCA changes its name to the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of Georgia (LPCA).

2005: The LPCA Board votes to raise dues to $150 for Clinical Members.

2008: LPCA collaborates with NASW-GA and GAMFT to support the Governor’s reorganization of the state’s social service agency into three departments.

2014: Emergency Transport — LPCA lobbies the Georgia Assembly to add LPCs to the law allowing the signing of 1013s/2013s. The provision sunsets in six months; LPCs must prove their value.

2015: Emergency Transport — With the help of Senator Unterman, LPCA secures five years to demonstrate LPCs’ value through SB 65, which adds LPCs to the list of 1013/2013 signers.

2015: Certification for Clinical Supervisors (CPCS) created — Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor program established; Clinical Supervisor Members pay no certification fee.

 2016: LPCA lobbies the Georgia Assembly to add diagnosis to the LPC Scope of Practice.

2018: The GA Composite Board of PC, SW, and MFT requires CPCS certification for supervisors.

2020:

• Emergency Transport — LPCs are permanently added to the list of 1013/1020 signers, ending the sunset provision.
• LPCA Executive Director partners with the business community for LPCs to co-host the annual Legislative Reception each January.

2021: LPCA partners with Rep. Dave Belton to pass the Professional Counseling (PC) Compact Licensure Law, making Georgia the first state in the U.S. to adopt the Interstate Compact for Counselors.

2022:

• Creation of the CCALP website to manage LPCA certifications, including CPCS.
• LPCA lobbies other states to pass the PC Compact Licensure Law.
• LPCA successfully lobbies for passage of:
• The late Speaker Ralston’s HB 1013
• The Mental Health Parity Act (HB 972)
• The Licensing Act Bill (updating Chapter 43-10A)
• SB 403, the Ride-Along Bill (requiring mental health professionals to accompany law enforcement on crisis calls)
• LPCA legislation allowing LPCs to perform mental health evaluations for guardianship (opposed).

2023:

• Pending final approval for LPCs as Medicaid/Medicare providers.
• LPCA adds a third lobbyist to advocate for LPC inclusion in existing laws.
• SB 373 removes psychologists as supervisors of future counselors.
• Legislation clarifies education requirements to a master’s degree or higher, ensuring all LPCs have at least two years of field experience.

2024:

• First in the USA — LPCs recognized at the Georgia State Capitol, January 31, 2024.
• LPCA works with lawmakers to create HR 517 and SR 517 designating January 31 as LPC Appreciation Day.
• January 1: LPCs and MFTs officially become Medicare providers.
• LPCA legislation to allow LPCs to perform mental health evaluations for guardianship runs out of time.
• LPCA invited to join the International Counseling Association.

2025:

• LPCA collaborates with lawmakers, lobbyists, and opposing organizations on HB 36 to add LPCs to the list of professionals authorized to perform mental health evaluations for guardianship under probate courts; supported by Probate Judges.
• LPCA adds additional training requirements for CPCS certification.
• Rules Update: GA Composite Board Rules 135-5-.01 and .02 revised (first update since February 2015), adding CACREP as a requirement.
• Second in the USA — LPCs recognized at the Georgia State Capitol, January 29, 2025.
• HR 1108 and SR 517 designate January 29, 2025, as LPC Appreciation Day.

In 1987, Dr. Chuck Goodrum, the Georgia Mental Health Counselors Association (GMHCA) President and American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) Georgia State Coordinator, secured financial assistance from AMHCA to establish a state affiliated association and chartered it as one of AMHCA’s early members. Dr. Goodrum served as its first president from 1987 to 1990. The organization’s new name became the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia. LPCA of GA is an independent organization and a state chapter of AMHCA, a previous division of the American Counselors Association (ACA).

In 1988, the first LPCA convention was held at Ridgeview Institute in Smyrna, Georgia with twenty-five attendees and established free continuing education workshops as a primary membership benefit.

In 1989, at LPCA’s request, Governor Joe Frank Harris proclaimed the week of May 7–13, 1989, as Mental Health Counselors’ Week in honor and recognition of health care professionals and the vital services they render.

In 1991, also at LPCA’s request, Governor Zell Miller proclaimed the week of May 5–11, 1991, as Mental Health Counselors’ Week. This is in recognition that mental health counselors’ work is a specialized field of counseling that emphasizes the developmental and adjustive nature of mental health services.

In 1995, the Georgia Legislature passed The Privileged Communication Law. LPCA lobbied to include LPCs in this law that would protect Mental Health Professionals in matters of professional duty. This is now in the law as the Scope of Practice Act.

In 1995, LPCA held its first Annual Legislative Breakfast. Spearheaded by LPCA’s Government Relations Committee as a new innovative approach to educating legislators about LPCs, this special breakfast was first of its kind, widely received by Georgia legislators (House Representatives and Senators), and was very well attended several years running.

In 2002, LPCA of GA received national recognition at the Annual Conference of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) by becoming the proud recipient of an award for Outstanding State Chapter.

In 2004, LPCA of GA received a national award, Outstanding Service to Members, Large State Chapter, at the AMHCA Annual Conference.

On February 6, 2006, at LPCA’s request, Governor Sonny Perdue signed the Mental Health Awareness Proclamation encouraging all Georgians to work together to promote the mental health of all our residents. Also in 2006, Governor Perdue proclaimed the month of September as Georgia Addiction Recovery Month. LPCA supported the efforts of Dr. Jan Ligon, LCSW who was chairman of Georgia Composite Board of LPC, SW and MFT, and Past President of NASW-GA.

In 2008, LPCA of GA received the premier national distinction by the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) as the Most Outstanding State Chapter Association. LPCA of GA was recognized for its exemplary service to members, most extensive member benefits, most active advocacy group, and largest membership of over 2,600 Professional Counselors.

On October 11, 2008 at LPCA’s request, three mental health professional organizations, LPCA of GA, NASW-GA and GAMFT, collaborated in resolution in support of the Governor’s plan to reorganize Georgia social service agencies into three new departments.

On May 1, 2014, Governor Nathan Deal declared the month of May Mental Health Awareness Month by signing the LPCA Proclamation promoting the mental health of all our residents and encouraging all to use Licensed Professional Counselors.

In 2014, LPCA was successful in getting LPCs added to the current list providers who can sign the emergency transport form called the 10-13 MH and 20-13 Addictions for a client who is suicidal or homicidal. LPCA of GA also received the “Most Outstanding State Chapter Award” for exceptional services to members.

In 2016, LPCA works to gain Diagnose for LPCs. LPCs may not diagnose until that word is added to the law under the LPC Scope of Practice. LPCA continues to work to pass this legislation.

In 2021, LPCA of GA received the “Most Advocacy Active State Chapter Award” for exceptional Call to Action responses and services to members.

In 2022, LPCA worked with Representative Dave Belton and Senator Matt Brass on HB972 to change licensure requirements and exceptions for the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists.

In 2023, LPCA helped streamline education and degree requirements for licensure and added professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists to the definitions of privileged communications.

In 2024, LPCA helped improve written hour requirements in licensing standards, ensuring consistency and clarity in the licensure process. Additionally, LPCA worked to ensure that counselors receive supervision and oversight from a Licensed Professional Counselors who is certified as a Clinical Supervisor, as this aligns with the unique requirements of the counseling profession and supports the growth and development of professional counselors in their field.

In 2025, The Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia was successful in advocacy efforts for legislation change that allows counselors to participate in mental health evaluations for probate courts, as well as joining other mental health professions when it comes to participating in conservatorship and guardianship cases.

In 2002, LPCA of GA received national recognition at the Annual Conference of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) by becoming the proud recipient of an award for Outstanding State Chapter.

In 2004, LPCA of GA received a national award, Outstanding Service to Members, Large State Chapter, at the AMHCA Annual Conference.

In 2008, LPCA of GA received the premier national distinction by the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) as the Most Outstanding State Chapter Association. LPCA of GA was recognized for its exemplary service to members, most extensive member benefits, most active advocacy group, and largest membership of over 2,600 Professional Counselors.

In 2014, LPCA of GA received the “Most Outstanding State Chapter Award” for exceptional services to members.

In 2021, LPCA of GA received the “Most Advocacy Active State Chapter Award” for exceptional Call to Action responses and services to members.

LPCAGA Bylaws - Revised 2025