My guest is Dr. Heather Trepal, Professor and Coordinator of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is the current President of The American Counseling Association (ACA) and a Past-President of The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) and The Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC). Dr. Trepal’s research focuses on counselor preparation and supervision, gender issues and sexual trauma, non-suicidal self-injury, and professional advocacy.

Dr. Trepal discusses the initiatives and goals she’s working to achieve as ACA President, describes her passion for supervising bilingual counselors and working with Spanish-speaking clients, recounts some of the lessons she’s learned from past disappointments and setbacks, and highlights the importance of seeking out supportive and challenging mentors. Dr. Trepal also explains the personal and sometimes painful nature of licensure portability, shares her hopes for the future of the counseling profession, and offers encouragement to novice counselors currently struggling to attain full licensure.

For more information about The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, visit IAMFC's website: http://www.iamfconline.org/