American Association of Christian Counselors

What American Association of Christian Counselors does

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) is a private, nonprofit professional membership association headquartered in Forest, Virginia, operating as what it describes as the largest Christian mental health organization globally, founded in 1991 and approaching its 40th anniversary at the 2027 World Conference. AACC serves licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, addiction counselors), pastoral counselors, counseling graduate students, Christian life coaches, and lay caregivers through a three-tier annual membership model (Presidential $129/year, Premier $89/year, Student $54-$74/year) that delivers continuing education (CE) credits, monthly CounselTalk webinars, quarterly Christian Counseling Today magazine, on-demand AACC Academy courses, conference discounts, and student liability insurance. The organization claims to serve hundreds of thousands of Christian mental health professionals across the globe.

AACC's core products combine a web-based membership and online course delivery platform (AACC Academy integrated with Light University) with a portfolio of clinical publications (Christian Counseling Today quarterly magazine, the peer-reviewed Marriage & Family Journal, the Care & Counsel NKJV Bible, and the Hope & Healing Workbook series), media properties (Care & Counsel Podcast, CounselTrends video series, Life Love Faith & Family daily radio, and the AACC blog), and recurring events including the National Conference (Arlington, TX) and World Conference (Orlando, FL). The technology stack includes Zoom-based virtual training for EMDR Basic Training and webinars, a member portal for CE certificate management, and Christian Care Connect — a faith-based provider directory platform connecting care seekers with vetted caregivers. Eleven specialized divisions (Biblical Counseling, Marriage & Family, Addiction & Recovery, Grief & Trauma, Military Counseling, Multicultural, Sports Psychology, School Counseling, Youth Mental Health, Ethics & Advocacy, Christian Psychology) are offered at $28/year add-ons, each led by a named clinical authority.

The business model is diversified across auto-renewing subscription memberships, conference registration and event revenue, CE credit sales (50% discounted for Premier members), publishing product sales, and recurring or one-time consulting/case analysis services priced at $55-$175/month or $125-$175 per session. AACC monetizes regulatory approvals as a CE provider through NBCC, ASWB, NAADAC, APT, and multiple state licensing boards (Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Ohio), generating required-renewal demand from licensed professionals. The organization operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries including Light University, Christian Care Connect, the International Christian Coaching Association, the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC), and the AACC Foundation, with leadership under President Tim Clinton, Ed.D., Vice President Zach Clinton, Ph.D., and CEO Ben Allison, J.D., and no disclosed external equity or PE/VC ownership.

Name

American Association of Christian Counselors

Legal name

American Association of Christian Counselors

Website

https://aacc.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American Association of Christian Counselors is a private nonprofit professional membership association, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Forest, Virginia, that serves licensed mental health professionals, pastors, counseling students, and Christian coaches through tiered annual memberships ($54-$129/year), CE-credit-approving webinars and on-demand courses, clinical publications, and annual conferences as the self-described largest Christian mental health organization globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership subscriptions with three tiers: Presidential ($129/year), Premier ($89/year), and Student ($54-74/year). Includes access to webinars, magazine, CE credits, and member benefits. Auto-renewal model with 30-day refund policy for new members.
2. Conference and Event Revenue: National Conference and World Conference registration fees. Events offer CE credits, professional networking, and training. Past conferences include World Conference 2019 (762 products), 2021 (238 products), 2025 (4 products), and National Conference 2024 (5 products).
3. Continuing Education Credits: CE credits sold to members (50% discount for Premier members) and non-members for professional license renewal. Approved provider through NBCC, ASWB, NAADAC, APT, and multiple state boards.
4. Publishing and Products: Sale of workbooks ($20-25 each), books, devotionals, Care & Counsel Bible, Christian Counseling Today magazine ($49/year subscription), and the Marriage & Family Journal.
5. Consulting Services: Ethical consulting and case analysis for therapists, businesses, and coaches. Individual plans at $150/month for members, group plans, and annual plans at $55/month. Single sessions available at $125 for members.
6. Division Membership Add-ons: Specialization divisions available for $28/year each, offering quarterly virtual meetings with field experts. 11 divisions available including Marriage & Family, Addiction & Recovery, Military Counseling, and more.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AACC is a nonprofit professional membership organization that equips licensed counselors, pastors, coaches, and lay caregivers with biblically integrated clinical education, accredited continuing education (CE) credits, conferences, peer-reviewed publications, ethical consulting, and credentialing through its wholly-owned divisions including Light University and Christian Care Connect. Its commercial engine is a tiered annual membership (Presidential, Premier, Student) priced $54–$129/year, complemented by paid events, training products, and consulting services.

Product overview

AACC is the world's largest Christian mental health organization offering a multi-tiered membership platform with three membership levels (Presidential, Premier, and Student) at $54-$129/year. The organization's portfolio includes professional development through monthly CounselTalk Webinars and the AACC Academy on-demand learning platform, both offering CE credits. AACC publishes the Christian Counseling Today Magazine (quarterly), Marriage & Family Journal (bi-annual peer-reviewed), Care & Counsel Bible, and Hope & Healing Workbooks Series. Media offerings include the Care & Counsel Podcast, CounselTrends Podcast, and Life Love Faith & Family Radio program. The organization hosts biennial National and World Conferences and provides Consulting & Case Analysis services. Additional offerings include 11 specialized membership divisions, Student Liability Insurance, Christian Care Connect provider directory, and Christian Coaching resources through the International Christian Coaching Association. All offerings integrate biblical truth with clinical excellence for mental health professionals, pastors, and lay caregivers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Light University: Educational division offering online certificates, certifications, and continuing education programs for licensed mental health professionals and coaches.
• CounselTalk
• CounselTrends
• Christian Care Connect
• AACC Academy
• AACC Publishing
• Care & Counsel Bible
• Marriage & Family Journal

Products and services

• Professional Membership Annual subscription membership for licensed mental health professionals, pastors, coaches, and counseling students, providing access to webinars, CE credits, magazine, AACC Academy on-demand courses, conference discounts, and member community. Offered in three tiers: Presidential ($129/year with full benefits including free CE credits), Premier ($89/year with 50% off CE credits), and Student ($54-$74/year with optional liability insurance for counseling graduate students).
• Membership Divisions Specialty division memberships offered at $28/year each, providing quarterly virtual meetings with field experts across 11 areas: Biblical Counseling, Marriage & Family, Addiction & Recovery, Perinatal Support, Grief & Trauma, Military Counseling, Multicultural, Christian Psychology, Sports Psychology, School Counseling, and Youth Mental Health. AACC also indicates availability of Ethics & Advocacy.
• Christian Care Connect Faith-based provider network platform connecting individuals seeking Christian mental health care with vetted Christian counselors, caregivers, life coaches, and crisis responders. Operates as an online directory with a 90-day free trial for new users.
• Light University Online education platform (the educational division of AACC) offering self-paced training courses, certificates, and certifications for licensed mental health professionals, coaches, pastors, and lay caregivers. Has NBCC approvals and IBCC certifications across multiple credentialing boards.
• Christian Counseling Today Magazine Quarterly full-color clinical magazine (AACC's flagship publication) featuring articles, interviews, and clinically sound and biblically accurate content on subjects including marriage and family counseling, spirituality, abuse, pastoral care, and Christian mental health. Available in print and digital editions with CE credits available through quiz completion at $49/year subscription.
• Marriage & Family Journal Peer-reviewed clinical journal dedicated to advancing therapies through a biblically integrated lens, published bi-annually in Spring and Fall editions for marriage and family therapy professionals.
• Care & Counsel Bible (NKJV) New King James Version Bible designed as a definitive guide to biblical hope and healing for those providing care and counsel, structured for use by Christian counselors and caregivers.
• Hope & Healing Workbooks Series Evidence-based, clinically excellent, and biblically accurate counseling workbooks for use in counseling sessions, covering topics including Depression, Grief, Anxiety, Anger, Substance Abuse, Food Addiction, Loneliness, and Compulsive Sexual Behavior at $25 per workbook.
• Consulting & Case Analysis Ethical consulting and case analysis services providing expert guidance for clinical questions and practice procedures for therapists, businesses, coaches, and ministries. Available as Individual Plan ($150/month for members, $175 for non-members), Annual Insurance Plan ($55/month for 12 months for members, $75 for non-members), and single sessions ($125 for members, $150 for non-members). Delivered through a HIPAA-compliant platform.
• AACC National Conference Annual in-person national conference for Christian counselors offering focused training, networking, and encouragement, with CE credits and professional development programming. Held at Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington, TX.
• AACC World Conference Premier biennial international gathering for Christian counselors and caregivers offering training, worship, and connection at Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, FL. Includes CE credits, professional networking, and 40th anniversary celebration for 2027.
• Classified Job Listings Online job board listing Christian counseling positions including therapist, faculty, and counseling ministry roles at various faith-based and secular institutions.
• Christian Coaching Resources and CE training for Professional Christian Life Coaches through the International Christian Coaching Association, providing certification, professional training, and resources via the Christian Coaching Today platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 24 CE credits available per year for licensed professionals
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Light UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLight University is the educational division of AACC, offering self-paced online training for continuing education and professional development. With approvals through NBCC, select state boards, and IBCC, it provides accessible education for counselors, coaches, pastors, and lay caregivers.
• International Board of Christian Care (IBCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBCC and its affiliate boards (BCPPC, BCLC, BMHC, BCCTR) credential counselors, life coaches, and crisis responders. AACC training meets ongoing CE requirements for IBCC credentials.
• Christian Care ConnectcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFaith-based provider platform powered by AACC that connects those seeking help with Christian mental health caregivers. Offers provider directory and 90-day free trial for new users.
• International Christian Coaching AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides certification, professional training, and resources for Professional Christian Life Coaches through Christian Coaching Today platform.
• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBCC approves AACC's continuing education programs. AACC's CE credits are recognized by NBCC for professional counselor licensure renewal.
• National Marriage Seminars of AmericasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of continuing education for psychologists through APA approval. National Marriage Seminars of America maintains responsibility for program content.
• Extraordinary WomensecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's ministry initiative under AACC umbrella, providing devotional resources like 'Women Following Jesus' 90-day devotional and 'New Every Morning' study.
• Ignite Men's MinistrysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMen's ministry initiative bringing together God, men, life, and the outdoors. Publishes resources like 'Forged: The ABC's of Biblical Masculinity' devotional.
• AACC FoundationcoreOthersNon-profit foundation associated with AACC supporting the organization's mission and charitable initiatives in Christian mental health.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• PESI: Major for-profit provider of continuing education for mental health professionals, offering seminars, online courses, and CE credits across multiple licensing boards. Directly comparable CE-product business model targeting the same clinician license-renewal demand.
• Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation: Faith-based training and publishing ministry that equips biblical counselors through conferences, online courses, books, and certifications. Closely comparable faith-integrated counseling training model, though more focused on lay/biblical counseling than clinical CE.
• American Counseling Association: Largest general (secular) professional membership association for counselors in the U.S., offering CE credits, publications, conferences, and divisions. Directly comparable membership/CE/conference business model to AACC, but in the broader non-faith-based segment.
• Christian Association for Psychological Studies: Interdisciplinary faith-based professional association for Christian psychologists, counselors, and academics, hosting conferences and publishing a peer-reviewed journal. Closest direct competitor in the Christian-integrated mental health professional association niche.
• American Mental Health Counselors Association: Professional association specifically for clinical mental health counselors, providing CE, advocacy, conferences, and division-based membership. Most directly comparable peer in terms of clinical-counselor focus, overlapping CE-approval model, and division structure.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: Professional membership association for marriage and family therapists offering accredited CE, journals, and conferences. Overlapping audience and CE-provider business model with AACC's Marriage & Family division and broader membership base.

Broad incumbents

• American Psychological Association: Largest professional association for psychologists in the U.S., providing CE, journals, conferences, and credentialing advocacy. Overlapping clinician-CE model and audience, but at much larger scale and broader (secular) professional scope.
• National Association of Social Workers: Largest professional association for social workers in the U.S., providing CE (including ASWB-approved credits) and publications. Comparable membership/CE business model and overlapping target audience for AACC's licensed social worker members.

Others

• National Board for Certified Counselors: Credentialing body that certifies professional counselors and approves CE providers (including AACC itself). Functions as both a regulator that gates AACC's CE business and an adjacent credentialing competitor through its own certification programs.

Emerging players

• Zur Institute: Online CE provider offering continuing education courses for mental health professionals on ethics, clinical topics, and telehealth. Comparable CE-provider model with growing online catalog that competes for the same clinician CE dollar.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theaacc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZ2gqsOcs9WMOYYv1W_6FCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/aaccofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-association-of-christian-counselors
• Instagraminstagram.com/theaacc_

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Association of Christian Counselors