Xiomara A. Sosa, Clinical Mental Health Counselor

08/27/2026

Each client experiences trauma differently, but it’s important to know what to look for. Explore core concepts for understanding traumatic stress responses that young clients may experience. https://www.nctsn.org/.../12-core-concepts-understanding...

Each client experiences trauma differently, but it’s important to know what to look for. Explore core concepts for understanding traumatic stress responses that young clients may experience. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/12-core-concepts-understanding-traumatic-stress-responses-children-and-families-one-sheet

08/27/2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday counseling practice whether we invite it in or not. These technologies are changing how people think about emotional support and human connection.
Rather than compete with artificial intelligence, counselors can use triadic thinking to strengthen the human connection.
https://bit.ly/3R7mR0o See less

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday counseling practice whether we invite it in or not. These technologies are changing how people think about emotional support and human connection.

Rather than compete with artificial intelligence, counselors can use triadic thinking to strengthen the human connection.

https://bit.ly/3R7mR0o

08/25/2026

Across multiple states, counselors are facing harmful insurance practices, including recoupments, reimbursement reductions, downcoding, administrative burdens, network adequacy concerns and agency implementation failures. The American Counseling Association is advocating for change and has developed a resource to help counselors navigate these challenges.
➡️ https://bit.ly/harmful-insurance

08/12/2026

Insurance clawbacks (also known as recoupments) are placing unnecessary financial and administrative burdens on counselors, disrupting practices and threatening access to care.
The American Counseling Association (ACA) is already collecting and sharing counselors' stories to strengthen our advocacy with Congress. Now, we need counselors to share their clawback experiences directly with their elected officials. Help policymakers understand the real-world consequences of insurance clawbacks and why reforms are needed!
Act now: https://bit.ly/4whS932

Insurance clawbacks (also known as recoupments) are placing unnecessary financial and administrative burdens on counselors, disrupting practices and threatening access to care.

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is already collecting and sharing counselors' stories to strengthen our advocacy with Congress. Now, we need counselors to share their clawback experiences directly with their elected officials. Help policymakers understand the real-world consequences of insurance clawbacks and why reforms are needed!

Act now: https://bit.ly/4whS932

08/06/2026

The current challenges in our profession may prevent prospective Counselors from entering the profession, shut down certain Counselor Education programs, and ultimately lead to a prolonged shortage of trained Counselors. In response, our Government Affairs Department has created a strategic advocacy plan. Learn more at https://nbcc.org/.../nbccvis.../shaping-mental-health-policy.

The current challenges in our profession may prevent prospective Counselors from entering the profession, shut down certain Counselor Education programs, and ultimately lead to a prolonged shortage of trained Counselors. In response, our Government Affairs Department has created a strategic advocacy plan. Learn more at https://nbcc.org/resources/counselorresources/nbccvisionsnewsletter/shaping-mental-health-policy.

08/03/2026

By connecting with your lawmakers, you can increase access to mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ (NAMI's) 2025 State Legislation Issue Brief Series offers policy recommendations for child and adolescent mental health, health insurance, medication access, and the mental health workforce. Read the recommendations and take action at https://bit.ly/4dRGL6E.

By connecting with your lawmakers, you can increase access to mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ (NAMI's) 2025 State Legislation Issue Brief Series offers policy recommendations for child and adolescent mental health, health insurance, medication access, and the mental health workforce. Read the recommendations and take action at https://bit.ly/4dRGL6E.

08/03/2026

A new opinion from the U.S. Department of Justice threatens the Olmstead Integration Mandate, which set a precedent that American states must provide community-based services for individuals with disabilities.
A DOJ Office of Legal Counsel memorandum asserts that the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act do not impose an integration mandate on states regarding individuals with mental disabilities. This may lead to individuals with serious mental illnesses being institutionalized instead of receiving care in community care settings.
Our Government Affairs Department explains what Counselors should know at https://www.votervoice.net/NBCCGrassroots/News #/Blog/8915.

A new opinion from the U.S. Department of Justice threatens the Olmstead Integration Mandate, which set a precedent that American states must provide community-based services for individuals with disabilities.

A DOJ Office of Legal Counsel memorandum asserts that the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act do not impose an integration mandate on states regarding individuals with mental disabilities. This may lead to individuals with serious mental illnesses being institutionalized instead of receiving care in community care settings.

Our Government Affairs Department explains what Counselors should know at https://www.votervoice.net/NBCCGrassroots/News #/Blog/8915.

07/23/2026

Women Veterans Mental Health Services Program

For women veterans by women veterans

Summerville Women's Mental Health Services: A Mental Health Collective offers specialized, discounted individual counseling and therapy tailored for women veterans, including trauma recovery and military sexual trauma (MST).

Learn more about this program at

Providing tailored mental health services for women veterans in South Carolina, including VA and private-pay options. Support from a woman veteran-led organization.

07/09/2026

UPDATE: Following the court's preliminary stay of key portions of the RISE rule, the Department of Education has temporarily restored professional degree status for several graduate health profession programs—but not Counseling. NBCC will continue to monitor this litigation and advocate for Counseling students to receive the recognition and access to federal student aid they deserve. Learn more at: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/.../update-list-professional...
------------
We applaud the recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell, which temporarily blocks the narrowed definition of professional degrees in the Department of Education’s controversial RISE rule. This aspect, which was set to go into effect July 1, would limit access to federal student loans for borrowers in graduate-level Mental Health Counseling programs.
We view Judge Howell’s decision as a first step toward protecting access to education for the Counseling workforce—a necessity given our nation’s unprecedented need for mental health services. As the Department of Education reviews the court's decision and prepares to respond, we will continue to underline the consequences of the rule and push for a permanent resolution.

UPDATE: Following the court's preliminary stay of key portions of the RISE rule, the Department of Education has temporarily restored professional degree status for several graduate health profession programs—but not Counseling. NBCC will continue to monitor this litigation and advocate for Counseling students to receive the recognition and access to federal student aid they deserve. Learn more at: https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-06-29/update-list-professional-degree-programs-due-court-order

------------
We applaud the recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell, which temporarily blocks the narrowed definition of professional degrees in the Department of Education’s controversial RISE rule. This aspect, which was set to go into effect July 1, would limit access to federal student loans for borrowers in graduate-level Mental Health Counseling programs.

We view Judge Howell’s decision as a first step toward protecting access to education for the Counseling workforce—a necessity given our nation’s unprecedented need for mental health services. As the Department of Education reviews the court's decision and prepares to respond, we will continue to underline the consequences of the rule and push for a permanent resolution.