Dear Members of the Florida Counseling Association,

I am honored and excited to serve as your President of the Florida Counseling Association for the 2024-2025 term.

Welcome to our vibrant community where counseling and education converge to celebrate diversity and unity. Here in Florida, we embrace individuality and recognize that our collective strength is enriched by embracing diverse perspectives.

Our counselors bring unique insights and skills to their work, enriching therapeutic practices to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Each counselor plays a crucial role in guiding paths to healing and personal growth, respecting the unique experiences of those they serve.

As a community of counselors, we strive for unity through collaborative efforts that acknowledge the power of partnerships and shared goals. Together, we create pathways that empower individuals and communities, addressing societal challenges with innovative solutions grounded in empathy and expertise.

Beyond our local communities, we advocate for policies that promote equity in mental health services and education across our state. Together, we weave a narrative of resilience where every voice contributes to progress and unity throughout Florida.

Celebrating strength in counseling and education means embracing the diverse human experiences that enrich our communities. It’s a narrative built with dedication and compassion, inspiring a future where diversity is a source of strength and unity.

By embracing this term’s theme, we commit to fostering collaboration, promoting inclusivity, advancing professional development, advocating for policy change, engaging communities through outreach, embracing innovation, and continually assessing our impact.

The goals below will cultivate an inclusive environment where diversity thrives, and collective resilience strengthens our counseling and education communities.

Goal 1: Strengthen partnerships and collaborative efforts among counselors to empower individuals and communities. Develop initiatives to tackle societal challenges with innovative solutions rooted in empathy and expertise.

Goal 2: Advocate for state-level policies promoting equity in mental health services and education. Ensure equitable access to resources and support across Florida.

Goal 3: Embrace and celebrate the diverse human experiences in counseling and education. Promote a narrative of resilience, where every voice contributes to community progress and unity.

Goal 4: Foster inclusive environments within counseling and education. Enhance cultural competence through professional development opportunities. Engage communities in collaborative initiatives promoting understanding and inclusivity.

Let’s embark on this journey together with enthusiasm! I encourage each of you to actively participate in our initiatives, share your expertise, and collaborate with fellow members. Your involvement is crucial in strengthening our association as a leading voice for the counseling profession and a supportive network for counselors throughout Florida. Together, we will achieve remarkable success.

Thank you for your steadfast support and dedication to the Florida Counseling Association. I eagerly anticipate working alongside each of you to make a meaningful impact. Your commitment is invaluable to our mission, and I deeply appreciate all that you do. I look forward to our continued collaboration and the positive outcomes we will achieve together.

Warm regards,

Lourdes Araujo, Ed.D
2024-2025 President, Florida Counseling Association