About Special Interest Group 20, Counseling

Vision

The vision of SIG 20 is to be the community where audiologists, speech-language pathologists, assistants, and students can (1) exchange knowledge and educational information about counseling practices, (2) foster scholarship and research, and (3) promote interprofessional collaboration to advance counseling in clinical practice.

Mission

The mission of SIG 20 is to promote counseling education, research, and practice for clinicians, researchers, assistants, and students to optimize treatment outcomes and equip clinicians with knowledge and skills to support clients/patients/students and their families.

Goals

Build an active community of ASHA Members, International Affiliates, Assistants, and national NSSLHA Members with an interest in and commitment to incorporating counseling into clinical practice and promoting collaboration with other organizations.
Advocate for the role of clinicians in providing counseling services as outlined within the scope of practice for audiology and speech-language pathology.
Establish a pedagogical network to improve educational experiences.
Promote research on counseling in CSD.
Address the connection between counseling practices and serving diverse populations in clinical and academic contexts.
Encourage interprofessional education and practice with other professions.
Advocate for the use and reimbursement of counseling services in speech-language pathology and audiology practice.

Affiliate Benefits

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups is the online peer-reviewed scholarly review journal of the SIGs. SIG 20 offers new self-study CE activities through Perspectives each year.

Continuing Education

Earn ASHA continuing education units (CEUs) through

Self-study of Perspectives and pay the lowest processing fee to take the learning assessments
SIG sponsored Master Classes and one-hour sessions at the annual ASHA Convention beginning in 2023.

Networking

SIG 20 Affiliates have access to exclusive discussion forums/groups, which provide the opportunity to interact with other SIG Affiliates who share interest in counseling. Use ASHA's Member Directory to search for individuals by SIG affiliation. In addition, beginning in 2023, SIG 20 Affiliates can meet in person and online at ASHA and SIG 20 sponsored events; typically, each SIG hosts an Affiliates meeting at Convention and sponsors a virtual open house.

SIG Leadership

Coordinating Committee Members

2023–2026 Coordinator: Ying-Chiao Tsao, California State University, Fullerton
2023–2025 Associate Coordinator: Jerry K. Hoepner, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
2023–2025 Editor: Anthony DiLollo, Texas Christian University
2023–2026 Professional Development Manager: Christopher D. Constantino, Florida State University
2023–2024 Member-at-Large: Rebecca L Nelson-Crowell, St. Cloud State University
2023–2024 Member-at-Large: Laura W. Plexico, Auburn University
Ex Officio: Monica Sampson, Senior Director, Speech Language Pathology in Health Care Services, ASHA