Join

Since its formation as a professional organization in 1976, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, AMHCA, has been committed to establishing and promoting vigorous standards for education and training, professional practice, and professional ethics for clinical mental health counselors.

Being a member of AMHCA helps foster solidarity, a sense of belonging among fellow clinical mental health counselors.

Your clients have the right to access qualified mental health providers from a variety of disciplines, and clinical mental health counselors are uniquely trained to merge developmental, wellness, and diagnostic perspectives to the advantage of the people we serve.

How to Become a Member

Find the right level of membership for you.

Use our decision tree below to help you find the right level of membership for you.


Join the AMHCA Community


Take advantage of the many benefits to being an AMHCA member.


There will be an early cancellation fee of $25 in the first 3 days. After 3 days, AMHCA memberships are non-refundable.

Membership Types

Clinical Member

Master's degree or higher in counseling or a related field covering the basic principles of mental health counseling from a regionally accredited institution. Primary work is in direct delivery of counseling services. Hold state licensure or certification if available, or Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor if licensure/certification is not available. This is a voting membership type. Click here for pricing and more information.

Professional Member

Master's degree or higher in counseling or a related field covering the basic principles of mental health counseling from a regionally accredited institution. This is a voting membership type. Click here for pricing and more information.

Joint Dues Member

Join AMHCA and our affiliated chapter at the same time. Offered to Clinical and Professional members. Savings on AMHCA membership and state chapter membership when you join at the same time. Click here for pricing and more information.

Emerging Professional

Completed Masters or Doctoral degree; currently in first or second year of practice. Eligible for an annual membership for up to 2 years only in this membership category. Proof of recent graduation date may be required. This is a voting membership type. Click here for pricing and more information.

Student Member

Enrolled at least half-time in a graduate program in counseling or a related discipline. Eligible to be in this membership category for 3 years only. Paid membership comes with free liability insurance. This is a voting membership type. Click here for pricing and more information.

Associate Member

Primary work responsibilities are in human resources/personnel, or supporter of the professional work of AMHCA. This is a non-voting membership type. Click here for pricing and more information.

Retired Member

Master's degree or higher in counseling or a related field covering the basic principles of mental health counseling from a regionally accredited institution. This is a voting membership type. Click here for pricing and more information.

Academic Member

Any full-time academic professor, instructor, or researcher or staff member such as a department chair or dean, of a regionally accredited institution. Full-time status is decided by the institution of which the academic member is employed. Click here for pricing and more information.

International Associate Member

Any clinical mental health counselor in a country outside of the United States, shall be for International Associate in the association. International members may attend meetings of the association but shall not be entitled to vote and shall not be eligible to hold office. Click here for pricing and more information.


Why join AMHCA?

Federal and National Advocacy Efforts

Get the latest information about recognition under Medicare, standardization, portability and the changing healthcare industry. Reap the benefits of AMHCA's growing collaborative relationships with professional organizations, government agencies and consumer groups.

Career Development Support

Enhance your professional development and strategic position with our career guidance, certifications that are tailored for every level of your career and job transitions.

Members-Only Discounts and Pricing

Take advantage of the discounts offered on brand-name products that offer services such as health services discounts, website platforms, directory services, and receive exclusive members-only discounts on webinars, conferences and home studies.

Continuing Education Opportunities

Earn continuing education credits and on webinars, conferences and home studies.

A community of peers.

Join one of the many online discussion groups to exchange ideas with other clinical mental health professionals about your daily challenges and solutions.

Latest News and Trends in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Quarterly digital publications of the Journal of Mental Health Counseling and The Advocate Magazine, with members-only exclusive access to the entire digital library of both. As well as additional resources include our ethics committee consultation service, practice guidelines, resources and opportunities.


There will be an early cancellation fee of $25 in the first 3 days. After 3 days, AMHCA memberships are non-refundable.