The Voice of Mental Health Counselors in New York
NYMHCA represents, advocates for, and advances the mental health counseling profession—ensuring we are recognized, supported, and positioned to meet the needs of communities across New York State.
Our Mission
The New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting, promoting, and advocating for mental health counselors in New York State. NYMHCA serves as a resource for mental health professionals by providing continuing education opportunities, professional development, and advocacy for legislative changes that benefit mental health practice and access to care.
NYMHCA’s mission is to enhance the profession of mental health counseling through leadership, education, and advocacy. The organization strives to ensure that its members adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of mental health services for individuals, families, and communities throughout New York State.
Who We Are
NYMHCA exists to ensure that mental health counselors are recognized as a distinct and essential part of New York’s healthcare system.
We represent the profession at the state level—advancing policy, shaping standards, and advocating for the role mental health counselors play in delivering care across diverse communities.
NYMHCA is not separate from the field—it is the field. Our membership includes graduate students, limited permit holders, counselor educators, and licensed and registered mental health counselors working across New York State. Together, we form a collective voice that drives the profession forward.
The NYMHCA Institute
The NYMHCA Institute was founded to address the increasing need for quality, accessible professional development and community education for mental health and other professionals.
The NYMHCA Institute, Inc. is an affiliated, but separate entity of NYMHCA. The Institute was established after the NYMHCA board of directors recognized a need for additional educational programming in New York and determined it was most appropriate to organize a new entity focused on professional development and education. The Institute is governed by a separate and independent board of directors, but often collaborates with NYMHCA to maintain an existing presence within New York State.
Our History
NYMHCA was founded in 1979 to establish a unified voice for mental health counselors in New York and to advocate for the profession’s recognition within the healthcare system.
From its earliest days, the organization focused on defining the role of mental health counselors, establishing professional standards, and advancing legislative efforts to secure licensure, recognition, and inclusion in care delivery.
Key Milestones in Advocacy and Advancement
1979
The New York Mental Health Counselors Association is established as a state chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA).
2002
NYMHCA works with New York State legislators to pass legislation creating the profession of mental health counselor.
2005
NYMHCA plays a key role in the development of regulations and procedures that lead to the first licenses being granted to licensed mental health counselors.
2009
NYMHCA supports legislation extending the time period for limited permit holders to complete required post-graduate experience.
2013
NYMHCA advances legislation establishing continuing education requirements for licensed mental health counselors—strengthening professional standards and reinforcing the importance of ongoing clinical development.
2021
NYMHCA and New York State legislators pass Senate Bill S7761 / Assembly Bill A8702, making services provided by licensed mental health counselors eligible for coverage under the New York State Medicaid program.
2022
NYMHCA supports the passage of Senate Bill S6574A / Assembly Bill A1171, requiring health insurance policies to provide coverage for outpatient treatment by mental health counselors.
2022
After more than a decade of advocacy, NYMHCA successfully advances legislation (S9449 and A6008-E) granting licensed mental health counselors the authority to diagnose mental health disorders and develop assessment-based treatment plans.
Continuing the Work
Today, NYMHCA continues to advocate for the profession while responding to the evolving landscape of mental health care—supporting counselors in areas such as telehealth, cultural competence, and evidence-based practice, while advancing policies that expand access to care across New York State.
