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  • 2 Aug 2025 7:25 PM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    National Association of Black Counselors, Inc.

    National Association of Black Counselors Headquarters

    3552 Boulevard Colonial Heights, VA 23834

    NABCounselors.org

    NABCounselors@outlook.com

    833-228-6222(NABC)
    833-622-2329(NABCFAX)

    National Association of Black Counselors (NABC)
    Statement on Executive Orders Threatening DEI, Public Access to Information, and Federal Workforce Protections
    Issued: August 2025

    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) strongly opposes recent executive orders issued by President Donald J. Trump that dismantle protections for historically marginalized communities, undermine public access to diverse media, and strip equity-focused professionals of job security. These orders threaten the progress made in mental health access, education, and workforce diversity, particularly impacting Black counselors, HBCUs, and the communities we serve.

    1. Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions
    (Website: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/restoring-accountability-to-policy-influencing-positions/)
    Reclassifies up to 50,000 federal employees into at-will positions, allowing politically motivated terminations without due process.
    Impact: Threatens Black federal employees and counselors in policy roles, enabling purges based on ideology rather than performance.

    2. Ending Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
    (Website: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/defunding-npr-pbs/)
    Eliminates federal funding for public broadcasting outlets accused of “bias.”
    Impact: Cuts off essential platforms that uplift Black voices and share culturally relevant mental health and educational content.

    3. Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
    (Website: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-illegal-discrimination-and-restoring-merit/)
    Revokes DEI programs, affirmative action protections, and federal equity initiatives across sectors.
    Impact: Jeopardizes funding to HBCUs and institutions serving marginalized communities, dismantles DEI in counselor education, and suppresses efforts to diversify the counseling field.

    These actions endanger the future of Black mental health professionals and restrict community access to culturally responsive care. The elimination of DEI infrastructure, defunding of inclusive media, and weakening of workforce protections signal a broader attack on justice, equity, and our collective well-being.

    NABC urges counselors, educators, and policymakers to stand firm:

    • Uphold cultural competency and affirming practices.
    • Protect HBCUs and funding for equity-based programming.
    • Defend the rights of Black professionals in all sectors.

    We remain committed to justice and wellness for all Black people and the continued advancement of an inclusive counseling profession.

    In solidarity,


    National Association of Black Counselors (NABC)
    Website: www.nabcounselors.org
    Contact: advocacy@nabcounselors.org


  • 27 Jul 2025 10:14 AM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    1. Summary of Executive Order

    On July 24, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.” The order mandates that federal grants be prioritized for states and municipalities that enforce bans on open air drug use, urban camping, loitering, and squatting. It encourages the expansion of civil commitment, calls for the removal of judicial restrictions on involuntary institutionalization, and diverts funding away from evidence-based models like harm reduction and Housing First. The order further authorizes the collection and sharing of personal health and behavioral data with law enforcement and demands state level reporting of compliance with these directives.

    Full text of the Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/ending-crime-and-disorder-on-americas-streets

    2. Harms to Vulnerable Populations

    a. People with Mental Illness and Substance Use Conditions

    This order dramatically increases the risk of forced institutionalization for people struggling with mental health or substance use. It erodes personal autonomy and ignores the root causes of these conditions, opting instead to detain and contain individuals through systems that have historically failed our communities. The imposition of coercive treatment will cause people to fear seeking care and deepen the cycle of mistrust and disengagement from mental health services.

    b. Veterans

    Veterans with complex mental health needs, such as PTSD or substance use disorders, are at heightened risk under this order. Instead of receiving trauma-informed, culturally competent care, they are now vulnerable to institutionalization and criminalization, further compounding the stressors they carry from their military service.

    c. Black Communities and Communities of Color

    Black communities have long been disproportionately affected by over policing and under-resourced mental health care. This order reactivates vagrancy and loitering policies that have historically targeted Black people and uses them as a gateway to surveillance, profiling, and institutional control. It criminalizes poverty, illness, and existence in public spaces, compounding systemic harms we continue to fight against.

    d. LGBTQIA+ Individuals

    This Executive Order opens the door for discriminatory treatment against LGBTQIA+ individuals under the guise of "values-based" or "faith-based" approaches. Without explicit protections for affirming care, states and institutions could deny services that validate LGBTQIA+ identities, or worse, force individuals into harmful practices like conversion therapy or spiritually coercive programs that undermine their personhood and safety.

    e. The Use of “Faith-Based” Treatment Models

    The order promotes and incentivizes faith-based programming as a preferred method of treatment. While faith can be a meaningful source of healing for some, this mandate is deeply concerning for a pluralistic society. Replacing or prioritizing spiritual intervention over licensed clinical care risks retraumatizing individuals, particularly those who have been harmed by religious institutions or teachings. Mental health care should be rooted in evidence-based practice, client autonomy, and cultural humility, not dogma.

    3. Impact on Clinicians and the Counseling Profession

    • Ethical violations: This Executive Order conflicts with core counseling values such as client self-determination, informed consent, and nonmaleficence. It encourages coercive models that directly undermine the therapeutic alliance and create adversarial dynamics between providers and clients.
    • Funding and payment barriers: Under this order, funding is funneled away from affirming, evidence-based, community-centered models toward institutional and faith-based programs. This affects clinicians who provide inclusive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care. Providers offering affirming therapy to LGBTQIA+ clients, grief support, or wellness services may no longer qualify for federal reimbursements or state contracts under the new guidelines.
    • Mandatory reporting and surveillance: The order requires states to report compliance to the federal government, including the mental health status of individuals impacted by enforcement efforts. This violates privacy rights and turns clinicians into data collection agents for systems that may not prioritize client well-being.
    • Loss of coverage for wellness services: In a troubling move, the order eliminates coverage for mental health services deemed “non-essential,” such as grief counseling, preventive wellness support, and mental health maintenance for individuals who are considered “well.” This strips access to care for people who are actively working to maintain their health and reinforces a reactive system that only steps in when people are in crisis. It penalizes wellness and discourages long-term emotional health.

    4. Broader Consequences for Mental Health and Public Health

    This Executive Order signals a return to outdated, punitive models of care that were abandoned for their ineffectiveness and inhumanity. It criminalizes symptoms of mental illness and addiction instead of addressing their causes, and it disproportionately targets marginalized communities. The Order fails to invest in housing, trauma recovery, wraparound services, or access to culturally competent clinicians.

    Instead, it diverts funding to facilities and systems that detain and disempower people in the name of public order. Its embrace of forced treatment, surveillance, and coercion destabilizes the progress made in trauma informed, strengths based, and client centered care. The devaluation of services like grief counseling and LGBTQIA+ affirming care further cements the message that some people’s suffering is unworthy of support.

    5. Our Call to Action

    • We vehemently oppose this Executive Order. NABC stands firmly against policies that criminalize mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. We call on federal and state leaders to rescind and resist its implementation.
    • We demand investment in real solutions, including affordable housing, trauma-responsive care, inclusive and affirming mental health services, and a well-funded public health infrastructure.
    • We urge clinicians and professional associations to raise their voices, defend client rights, and speak out against policies that violate ethical obligations and endanger vulnerable populations.
    • We call on licensing boards, policymakers, and healthcare systems to protect the integrity of the counseling profession by rejecting coerced treatment, faith-mandated care models, and the dismantling of community-based mental health supports.

    6. Closing Statement

    As Black counselors, clinicians, educators, and advocates, we cannot stay silent in the face of policies that dehumanize our communities and threaten the well-being of those we are called to serve. This Executive Order is not about safety; it is about control. It is not about health; it is about punishment. And it is not about care, it is about containment.

    We will continue to fight for an inclusive counseling profession, affirming, evidence-based, and rooted in justice. We stand with our clients, our colleagues, and our communities in demanding mental health care that heals, not harms.

    In solidarity,


    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC)


  • 24 Jul 2025 6:06 PM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    With the implementation of Project 2025 now underway, we are witnessing the rollout of its next phase: Project Esther, presented by The Heritage Foundation in October of 2024 as a national strategy to combat antisemitism. While NABC affirms the urgency of addressing antisemitism in all its forms, Project Esther is not simply about combating hate. It is an extension of a broader political agenda that threatens civil liberties, silences dissent, and endangers historically marginalized communities. This moment demands clarity, courage, and a commitment to justice from all sectors of society.

    Of particular concern to the National Association of Black Counselors are the dangerous implications Project Esther holds for both education and healthcare. The blueprint calls for aggressive interventions in schools and universities: removal of faculty, curriculum restrictions, and the discrediting of entire academic disciplines under the guise of fighting antisemitism. These actions risk politicizing education, undermining academic freedom, and targeting educators and students, specifically those involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

    In healthcare, Project Esther encourages professional surveillance and the dismantling of organizational partnerships critical for culturally competent care. By framing entire communities and professional sectors, particularly those aligned with social justice, as “threats” to national security, it risks undermining the values of empathy, trust, and equity foundational to mental health and healthcare practice.

    We also offer a link to the full Project Esther Project Esther PDF.

    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) recognizes and condemns all forms of hatred, including antisemitism, which threatens the safety, dignity, and humanity of Jewish communities in the United States and around the world. The increasing instances of antisemitic rhetoric, violence, and misinformation, especially following the October 7, 2023, attacks, require bold, collective action rooted in justice, accountability, and truth.

    However, NABC is deeply concerned by Project Esther, as introduced by The Heritage Foundation. While it purports to be a strategy to counter antisemitism, the framework outlined in the report employs language and tactics that are inflammatory, overly generalized, and potentially harmful to democratic expression, civil rights, and intersectional solidarity.

    We specifically reject:

    • The conflation of all pro‑Palestinian advocacy with terrorism and antisemitism, which fails to distinguish between hate speech and legitimate political dissent. This broad brush approach undermines First Amendment protections and unfairly targets educators, students, activists, and entire communities with suspicion and punitive measures.

    • The demonization of academic institutions and DEI frameworks, essential for fostering critical thinking, inclusive dialogue, and culturally responsive education. The report labels diversity and inclusion as indoctrination and actively seeks to purge faculty and curricula deemed “politically suspect”.

    • The targeting of legislators, organizations, and citizens based on political beliefs or heritage, as seen in the so‑called “Hamas Caucus” section and the call to dismantle a broad “Hamas Support Network.” These steps echo McCarthy‑era tactics and threaten democratic engagement at its core.

    As Black mental health professionals and advocates, we know the consequences of state‑sanctioned surveillance, collective punishment, and being vilified for demanding justice. We will not endorse or be complicit in efforts that pit marginalized communities against each other or treat activism as a national security threat.

    NABC stands in solidarity with Jewish communities in the fight against antisemitism. At the same time, we remain committed to protecting civil liberties, promoting healing justice, and upholding the constitutional rights of all Americans especially those who are Black, Brown, Muslim, immigrant, queer, or otherwise vulnerable to erasure.

    We urge all stakeholders to adopt a more nuanced, human‑centered approach to addressing antisemitism: one that promotes unity, accountability, and the dignity of all people.


  • 9 Jul 2025 1:43 PM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    Issued by the National Association of Black Counselors (NABC)
    Date: July 2025

    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) strongly opposes the One Big Beautiful Bill Act  now signed into law by the 119th Congress. Despite its title, this legislation represents a dangerous and regressive shift in national priorities. It dismantles critical supports for vulnerable populations and undermines the ability of counselors to provide equitable, accessible, and culturally responsive care.

    This law will have devastating consequences for the Black community, the mental health field, and the broader network of social service providers who serve our most at risk populations.

    Why This Law Is Harmful

    Severe Cuts to Mental Health and Social Services

    The law imposes sweeping restrictions and funding reductions across Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, and public health infrastructure. These changes include:

    • Increased eligibility redeterminations and verification requirements

    • The rollback of retroactive Medicaid coverage

    • Work requirements for food assistance

    • Prohibitions on gender affirming care for minors

    • Cuts to long term care facility staffing requirements

    • Reduction in administrative cost sharing with states

    These provisions will create instability for clients, reduce access to care, and worsen mental health conditions among already marginalized groups.

    Disproportionate Impact on Black Communities

    This law will hit Black communities the hardest—communities that already face systemic barriers to care, employment, and education. The changes will:

    • Push more Black families into food insecurity

    • Limit access to affordable healthcare

    • Cut funding for environmental and climate justice initiatives

    • Curtail educational supports like Pell Grants and loan forgiveness

    • Undermine community based health programs that serve Black youth, elders, and LGBTQIA+ individuals

    By removing the safety net for millions of Americans, this law deepens the racial and economic disparities we have worked for decades to dismantle.

    Damage to the Counseling Profession

    The One Big Beautiful Bill also directly harms the counseling field through:

    • Elimination of Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a key support for counselors serving high need communities

    • Reduced funding for training, education, and workforce development programs

    • Increased strain on providers as more clients face crisis without stable coverage

    • Further institutionalization of barriers that keep Black professionals from entering and sustaining careers in mental health care

    Counselors will be expected to do more with less, and the communities we serve will suffer the consequences.

    Economic Consequences for Black Communities

    The law’s economic provisions including the rollback of clean energy credits, small business incentives, and workforce protections limit job opportunities and investment in underserved areas. This legislation makes it harder for Black communities to access pathways to upward mobility and intergenerational wealth.

    Our Position and Our Call to Action

    The National Association of Black Counselors condemns this law as harmful, inequitable, and morally unacceptable. We are committed to advocating for the repeal of its most damaging provisions and to protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of Black individuals and families across the nation.

    We urge counselors, mental health professionals, and community members to:

    Raise Awareness – Educate clients, communities, and colleagues about the implications of this law
    Advocate for Change – Contact state and federal officials to demand protective measures and reversals
    Support Local Providers – Invest in Black led clinics and mental health organizations serving vulnerable populations
    Organize – Join with advocacy networks to mobilize resistance and build long term community resilience

    Our Commitment

    NABC will continue to stand on the front lines of justice, equity, and access. We reject any policy that strips communities of their right to care, to education, and to safe, healthy futures.

    We call on all mental health professionals, educators, lawmakers, and advocates to join us in rejecting the harm caused by the One Big Beautiful Bill.

    In solidarity,
    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC)


  • 1 Jun 2025 11:34 AM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) strongly condemns H.R. 3518, legislation that would prohibit federal funding for graduate medical schools maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. [Full bill text available at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3518/text]

    This bill represents a dangerous regression in our nation's commitment to health equity and exposes the fragile nature of institutional commitments to racial justice.

    The Broken Promise of Equity

    The rapid dismantling of DEI initiatives across sectors reveals an uncomfortable truth: these programs were maintained only when required, not because they were valued. We have witnessed:

    • DEI offices closing following Supreme Court rulings

    • Minority recruitment programs dissolving when public pressure eased

    • Support services for marginalized students quietly defunded

    This pattern proves what communities of color have long known - when institutions genuinely value something, they fight to preserve it. The disappearance of these initiatives demonstrates they were implemented for compliance rather than conviction.

    The Grave Consequences of H.R. 3518

    This legislation would:

    1. Threaten Healthcare Equity by reducing the pipeline of diverse physicians, despite overwhelming evidence that representation improves patient outcomes in marginalized communities

    2. Disproportionately Harm HBCUs that train nearly half of Black doctors while already operating with limited resources

    3. Worsen Health Disparities by decreasing culturally competent care for communities facing systemic healthcare neglect

    4. Institutionalize Discrimination by punishing schools committed to inclusive learning environments

    The Exploitation of Black Goodwill

    As Black professionals, we have invested our time, talent, and trust in systems that consistently demonstrate their priorities:

    • Our inclusion serves institutional optics rather than our empowerment

    • Action comes only when reputations are at stake

    • Diversity measures often center majority comfort over minority survival

    Our Demands

    The NABC calls for:

    1. Immediate withdrawal of H.R. 3518

    2. Protection of federal funding for HBCU medical programs

    3. Accountability measures for institutions abandoning equity commitments

    4. Centering of Black health outcomes in medical education policy

    The Path Forward

    True equity requires more than performative gestures - it demands sustained commitment when inconvenient and unobserved. The counseling community recognizes this legislation as part of a broader retreat from racial justice, and we will mobilize accordingly.

    Take Action

    1. Contact your congressional representatives

    2. Support HBCU medical programs

    3. Join NABC's advocacy efforts

    #NABC #OpposeHR3518 #ProtectHBCUs #HealthEquityNow


  • 31 May 2025 11:42 AM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    May 2025

    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) vehemently opposes The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) and its devastating cuts to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. These changes threaten mental health access for millions of Black Americans and violate our ethical mandate to advocate for equitable care.

    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) condemns H.R. 1's Medicaid work requirements and ACA subsidy cuts, which threaten mental health access for Black communities. Verified data confirms:

    Documented Impacts

    1. 8 Million Medicaid Losses

      • Congressional Budget Office projects 8 million will lose coverage due to:

        • Administrative burdens of 80-hour monthly work requirements (CBO, 2024)

        • Coverage gaps mirroring Arkansas’ 18,000+ losses under similar policies (KFF, 2024)

    2. 6 Million ACA Enrollees Priced Out

      • Terminating enhanced subsidies will spike premiums by 82% for low-income households (KFF, 2024)

      • Black Americans (34% of ACA enrollees) disproportionately affected (CMS, 2024)

    Ethical Violations

    These policies conflict with:

    • ACA Code of Ethics (Section A.7): Prohibits policies that exacerbate care disparities

    • NBCC Multicultural Guidelines: Require advocacy against systemic barriers

    NABC’s Position

    1. Reject H.R. 1 and all Medicaid work requirements

    2. Permanently extend ACA subsidies to prevent coverage losses

    3. Invest in culturally responsive safety nets

    Next Steps

    For advocacy instructions, refer to the May 30, 2025 email sent to all NABC members.

    Endorsed by:

    NABC Executive Committee
    NABC Advocacy and Legislative Committee


  • 3 May 2025 9:18 AM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    As we honor Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we are confronted with a deeply troubling development: the Trump administration has announced the termination of $1 billion in federal grants dedicated to school mental health services. These funds, established under the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in response to the Uvalde school shooting, were instrumental in hiring school counselors, psychologists, and social workers nationwide.

    The Department of Education justified this decision by alleging that the grants violated federal civil rights laws, claiming they were misused to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. However, many educators and mental health professionals argue that these funds were crucial for addressing the escalating mental health crisis among students, particularly in underserved communities.

    Implications for the Black Community

    The Black community stands to be disproportionately affected by these cuts. Historically, Black students have faced systemic barriers to accessing quality mental health care. The now-defunded grants had begun to bridge this gap by facilitating the recruitment of culturally competent mental health professionals in schools serving predominantly Black populations. Eliminating this funding risks widening existing disparities, leaving Black students without essential support systems during a time when mental health challenges are on the rise.

    Challenges for Black Mental Health Practitioners

    These cuts represent a significant setback for Black mental health practitioners. The grants provided opportunities for employment, training, and the implementation of programs tailored to the unique needs of Black students. With the withdrawal of federal support, many practitioners may find it challenging to sustain their roles in educational settings, thereby reducing the availability of culturally responsive care for Black youth.

    A Call to Action

    The National Association of Black Counselors urges policymakers, educators, and community leaders to recognize the critical importance of school-based mental health services. We advocate for the restoration of funding to ensure that all students, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, have access to the mental health support they need. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, let us reaffirm our commitment to equity and the well-being of our youth by opposing measures that undermine these essential services.

    For more information on the grant termination, please refer to the NPR article: Trump administration stops grant funding for school mental health.


  • 2 May 2025 2:16 PM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) expresses deep concern over the recent executive orders signed by President Donald Trump, which aim to expand the powers of local law enforcement and intensify immigration enforcement efforts. These policies, including the expansion of 287(g) agreements and increased collaboration between local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have significant psychological implications for Black communities and other marginalized groups.​

    Psychological Implications for Our Communities

    The amplification of law enforcement powers and aggressive immigration policies contribute to heightened anxiety, fear, and trauma among our clients. The increased presence of law enforcement in communities, particularly those of color, can lead to:​

    • Chronic Stress and Anxiety: The constant threat of surveillance and potential detainment fosters a pervasive sense of insecurity.​

    • Intergenerational Trauma: Families, especially those with mixed immigration statuses, experience compounded stress, affecting both children and adults.​

    • Erosion of Trust: The collaboration between local police and federal immigration authorities undermines trust in institutions meant to protect and serve, deterring individuals from seeking necessary services or reporting crimes.​

    Impact on Mental Health Services

    These policies not only affect our clients but also place additional burdens on mental health professionals:​

    • Increased Caseloads: As communities grapple with the psychological toll of these policies, counselors may see a rise in clients experiencing trauma-related symptoms.​

    • Compassion Fatigue: Continuous exposure to clients' trauma can lead to emotional exhaustion and decreased empathy among clinicians.​

    Recommendations for Supporting Clients

    To mitigate these impacts, NABC recommends the following strategies:

    1. Trauma-Informed Care: Implement practices that recognize and respond to the effects of all types of trauma, ensuring a safe environment for clients.​

    2. Community Engagement: Collaborate with local organizations to provide resources and support networks for affected individuals.​

    3. Advocacy: Engage in policy advocacy to challenge and change harmful policies affecting mental health and community well-being.​

    Self-Care Strategies for Clinicians

    To address and prevent compassion fatigue, mental health professionals should:

    • Set Boundaries: Establish clear limits between work and personal life to prevent burnout.​

    • Seek Support: Engage in peer supervision or support groups to share experiences and coping strategies.​

    • Prioritize Well-being: Incorporate regular self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies, into daily routines.​

    • Continuous Education: Stay informed about best practices in trauma-informed care and self-care techniques.​

    Conclusion

    NABC remains committed to supporting both our communities and mental health professionals during these challenging times. By fostering resilience, advocating for equitable policies, and prioritizing self-care, we can navigate the psychological impacts of these federal policies together.​



  • 29 Apr 2025 10:58 AM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    April 2025

    The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) strongly condemns President Donald J. Trump's recent executive order, which eliminated disparate-impact liability across federal agencies. This order represents a dangerous rollback of civil rights protections and undermines decades of progress toward racial equity, justice, and accountability in American society.

    Disparate-impact liability is a critical legal tool that recognizes how policies and practices, though neutral in language, can result in harmful, discriminatory outcomes for marginalized communities. It has been instrumental in addressing inequality in education, housing, employment, and healthcare. To eliminate this protection is to ignore the reality of systemic discrimination and silence the data that reveal its continued presence.

    This executive order does not "restore equality." It rebrands inequity. It does not advance "merit-based" opportunity it denies the structural imbalances that continue to disadvantage Black Americans and other historically excluded groups. Suggesting that fairness can be achieved without acknowledging and addressing outcomes is a fundamental misunderstanding of civil rights law and the purpose of social justice advocacy.

    Let us be clear: Equity is not about giving advantages to some; it’s about removing barriers for all. This order seeks to erase those barriers from public view, not from public life. It enables institutions to perpetuate harm without accountability and shifts the burden of proof onto those already bearing the weight of inequality.

    As Black mental health professionals, we see the psychological toll of systemic injustice every day. We know that structural racism is not always overt. It is often embedded in the very systems this executive order now seeks to shield from scrutiny.

    We call on lawmakers, educators, clinicians, and allies to resist this regressive action and to stand firm in protecting the mechanisms that hold our nation to its promise of equal justice under the law.

    NABC will not be silent. We remain committed to equity, accountability, and truth.

    Signed,



    Dr. M. Nickleson (Dr. Nick) Battle, Jr., LPC (DC/VA), LCPC (MD), CCTP, CCAPT, BC-TMH
    President, National Association of Black Counselors (NABC)


  • 6 Mar 2025 6:49 PM | Dr. Nick Battle (Administrator)

    As we celebrate Women’s History Month, NABC is proud to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of Black women in the field of counseling. Their resilience, wisdom, and dedication have not only shaped the profession but have also paved the way for healing, empowerment, and social change in communities across the globe.

    Black women have long been at the forefront of mental health advocacy, breaking barriers and challenging systemic inequities in the counseling profession. From pioneering research to providing culturally competent care, Black women counselors have played a critical role in addressing the unique mental health needs of marginalized communities. Their work has been instrumental in dismantling stigmas, fostering resilience, and promoting holistic well-being.

    We honor figures like Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark, whose groundbreaking work on racial identity and child development laid the foundation for understanding the psychological impact of segregation. Her research was instrumental in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, proving that systemic racism harms mental health.

    We also celebrate modern-day leaders like Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, founder of Therapy for Black Girls, who has created a platform to destigmatize mental health care and make therapy accessible for Black women and girls. Her work reminds us of the power of representation and the importance of culturally competent care.

    At NABC, we recognize that Black women counselors often navigate dual challenges addressing the mental health needs of their clients while confronting systemic racism and sexism within the profession. Despite these obstacles, they continue to lead with compassion, strength, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

    As we reflect on the legacy of Black women in counseling, we are reminded of the importance of representation, mentorship, and advocacy. Their stories remind us that counseling is not just a profession it’s a calling to uplift, empower, and transform lives.

    This Women’s History Month, let us celebrate the Black women who have shaped the counseling profession and continue to inspire us to create a more inclusive and equitable future. Join NABC in honoring their contributions and amplifying their voices as we work together to advance mental health for all.

    #WomensHistoryMonth #BlackWomenInCounseling #NABC #MentalHealthEquity #RepresentationMatters

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