Dear Florida Counseling Association Members,

As my term as President of the Florida Counseling Association (2024–2025) draws to a close, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on this remarkable journey. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your President and to witness the incredible strength, compassion, and resilience that define our community.

When I began this term with the theme “Florida United: Celebrating Strength in Counseling and Embracing Individuality and Collective Resilience,” my hope was to foster unity while honoring the rich diversity that makes our counseling community so vibrant. Together, we lived this vision.

I could not have done this work alone. I am deeply grateful to our leadership team, whose unwavering dedication and vision carried our mission forward. I also want to acknowledge the support provided by our Office Manager, Vickie Leeming, whose administrative support helped us move forward and manage the many activities of this very active year.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the President’s Council, Dr. Alecia Rodriguez, President-Elect, and Dr. Raul Machuca, Immediate Past President,  for their wisdom, steady guidance, and partnership throughout this year. Your leadership has been invaluable to both me and our association.

To the entire Executive Board who served during my term, thank you. Your tireless commitment, collaborative spirit, and shared dedication to advancing FCA’s mission have been a source of inspiration. Every initiative and achievement this year was a result of your collective effort.

Our shared accomplishments this year have been both meaningful and impactful:

Major Milestones and Achievements

FCA Unveils New Logo: A Milestone in Our Evolution

In May 2025, FCA proudly unveiled a new logo, finally bringing to life a vision that had been in motion for several years.  As our organization continues to grow and evolve, it became clear our visual identity should reflect the strength, diversity, and unity at the heart of our mission.  After thoughtful feedback from members and leaders across the state, we introduced a refreshed, modern logo that symbolizes our unwavering commitment to mental wellness, professional excellence, and inclusive care.  A special thank you goes to Dr. Alecia Rodriguez for her leadership and dedication in bringing this vision to life. Her efforts helped guide the process with clarity, creativity, and care.

Celebrating 75 Years of FCA in Orlando, Florida

We proudly celebrated 75 years of the Florida Counseling Association at our 75th Annual FCA Convention in Orlando, Florida, a true milestone in our association’s history. We were especially honored to welcome ACA President Dr. Christine Suniti Bhat as part of our anniversary celebration. This special event, “Empowering Authentic Lives: Trauma and Lifespan Transformation,” brought together counselors from across the state and beyond to reflect on our rich legacy and envision a thriving future.

Hosted the March 2025 American Counseling Association (ACA) Conference in Orlando

FCA proudly co-hosted the 2025 American Counseling Association Conference & Expo, welcoming nearly 3,000 counselors and counselors-in-training from across the nation for three days of learning and connection.

We were also honored to receive a generous $10,000 donation from the American Counseling Association to support and expand our ongoing advocacy efforts throughout Florida.

Advocacy and Legislative Engagement

FCA Day at the Capitol in Tallahassee — March 2025

On March 27, 2025, with the leadership of Dr. Lauren Shure and her legislative committee, FCA members and partners gathered for Florida Counseling Association Day on the Hill at the Capitol in Tallahassee. Together, we took our message and advocacy efforts directly to our state representatives, promoting policies that advance equitable mental health services and support for all Floridians.

Recognition of Excellence

We celebrated Dr. Frank Gorritz Fitzsimons, recipient of the S. Kent Butler Transformative Impact Award, presented by ACA at the March Conference honoring his courageous and transformative contributions to our profession.

Professional Development

We offered a robust calendar of educational events, including:

75^th Annual FCA Convention (75^th Anniversary Year)

We provided a wealth of education, advocacy, and professional development during this milestone event bringing together thought leaders, clinicians, educators, students, and advocates from across the state and beyond. Our convention featured dynamic keynote speakers, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to advance clinical practice, promote innovation, foster leadership, and support wellness within the counseling profession. It was a celebration of our history and a catalyst for preparing Florida’s counselors to meet today’s evolving challenges with competence and compassion.

Virtual Traumatology Symposium ~ This Year's Theme - “Healing Fractured Identities:  Advancing Mental Health, Social Justice, and Self-Empowerment”

This year’s presentations focused on a unified mission:  addressing identity-based trauma through culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and socially just practices.

With heartfelt gratitude, we extend special recognition to Dr. Shara Goudreau and the entire Traumatology Committee for their unwavering dedication, vision, and tireless efforts in bringing to life a profoundly meaningful and impactful event on June 13, 2025. Their commitment to healing, education, and advocacy created a space which honored both the depth of trauma and the resilience of the human spirit.

Leadership Development

We are proud to host the FCA Leadership Development Institute on June 25, 2025, a vital event to cultivate and empower the next generation of FCA leaders.

New Divisions Approved

We proudly welcomed two new charter divisions, further strengthening our commitment to inclusivity and justice to our members and association:

• FL-CSJ - Florida Counselors for Social Justice Charter Division - Dr. Christina McGrath, President
• SSSCA - Sunshine State School Counseling Association Charter Division - Dr. Robert Pincus, President 

Member Engagement

Our quarterly FCA Guidelines Newsletters kept members informed and connected throughout the year.  In addition to consistent updates and leadership messaging, our FCA Guidelines Newsletter highlighted timely, forward-thinking topics this year:

• Summer 2024 Issue - "Embracing Telehealth: Best Practices and Innovations - Explore the Latest Advancements and Guidelines for Effective Virtual Counseling"
• Fall 2024 Issue - "AI in Mental Health: Ethical Integration and Practical Applications"
• Winter 2025 Issue - "Personalized Therapy: Tailoring Treatments to Individual Needs"
• Spring 2025 Issue - "Trauma-Informed Care: Advanced Techniques and Success Stories"

Advancing Our Goals

I am proud to share the goals set forth during my presidency were met with great respect and intentionality:

1. Strengthened partnerships and collaborative efforts, as seen through our successful conferences, webinars, and community engagement.

2. Advanced advocacy for equitable mental health services through our Day on the Hill, Day at the Capitol, and ongoing dialogue with policymakers.

3. Celebrated diverse human experiences through professional development offerings and the creation of new divisions centered on social justice and school counseling.

4. Fostered inclusive environments by enhancing cultural competence and promoting understanding through every initiative.

Advancing Counselor Education:  Human Trafficking Awareness & Trauma-Informed Care

In addition to all our unified efforts, I remain actively engaged with the American Counseling Association, contributing to national human trafficking initiatives. I continue to educate counselor educators and supervisors on trauma-informed mental health techniques and work I believe is essential to preparing counselors for the realities they will face in the field.

I was honored to be published in Counseling Today, the magazine of the American Counseling Association. The article, titled “Identifying and Supporting Survivors of Human Trafficking,” highlights the critical role counselors play in addressing trafficking by debunking common myths and misconceptions, recognizing the signs of trafficking, and applying a trauma-informed approach.

This initiative serves as an additional training resource for members who are counselors, educators, and supervisors, equipping them to prepare the next generation of counselors with the awareness, sensitivity, and clinical strategies needed to support survivors. The work underscores FCA’s broader commitment to advocacy, education, and ethical excellence in the counseling profession.

Passing the Torch ~ Welcoming New Leadership

As we look ahead, I am inspired by the energy, vision, and dedication of our incoming leadership. Dr. Alecia Rodriguez, our President-Elect, brings a wealth of experience, passion for advocacy, and a deep commitment to fostering unity within our profession. I have every confidence that under her leadership, the Florida Counseling Association will continue to thrive and expand its impact across the state. Dr. Rodriguez has already shown extraordinary dedication to our mission, and I know she will lead with wisdom, innovation, and heart.

To the entire 2025–2026 Leadership Team, you are stepping into an important and exciting chapter. You have the power to build upon our accomplishments, champion new initiatives, and continue advancing the counseling profession in Florida. Embrace this opportunity with courage, creativity, and collaboration. Our members, our communities, and our future counselors are counting on you. I will be cheering you on every step of the way and remain committed to supporting the continued growth and success of our beloved association.

In Closing,

As I pass the baton, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and hope. Our association is stronger and more resilient than ever. I know the future holds even greater promise because of the extraordinary professionals who make up our FCA family.

Thank you for entrusting me with this honor. Thank you for your commitment to this profession. And, thank you for standing united in our mission to serve the people of Florida with compassion and excellence.

With deepest appreciation and respect,

Dr. Lourdes Araujo

President, Florida Counseling Association (2024–2025)