VISTAS Electronic Monograph: A Database of Counseling Resources
Sponsored by the American Counseling Association
Developed and Managed by Counseling Outfitters, LLC

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Guidelines for Submitting Papers for VISTAS
VISTAS Author FAQs
VISTAS Annual ACA Reception Photos and News
Current Research and Reference Questions From ACA Librarian's File

Brief Summary of VISTAS’ Development

Now in its ninth year, ACA’s VISTAS program has become a valuable database of counseling resources for ACA members. A unique feature of VISTAS is that it is self-renewing and self-expanding. Many ACA members who use the resources they find in VISTAS are motivated to contribute their own ideas and experiences to VISTAS, thus updating and expanding the body of knowledge contained therein.

Another special characteristic of VISTAS is that it encourages the submission of articles that focus on current, high priority topics for which few resources have thus far been developed. The quick turn-around time for input into the database means that ideas and resources can be made available to counselors much sooner than through traditional publications.

VISTAS was established in 2004 by ACA in collaboration with Counseling Outfitters to capture the valuable knowledge and resources that are shared at the ACA annual conferences. In 2007, NCDA joined the VISTAS initiative, and the submission invitation was extended to NCDA conference presenters. In 2008, ACES conference presenters were invited to submit papers. AMHCA and ASERVIC began contributing papers in 2011 and AACE will invite presenters to participate for 2012. As a result, VISTAS Online has now become a major source of counseling information, with an online library that now contains over 600 full-text articles.

Special Features of VISTAS:

• Articles are selected by a peer review panel of ACA professional leaders, scholars, and subject matter specialists; the selection process meets the established guidelines for peer reviewed/refereed publications.
  
• Because it is totally digital, VISTAS is not limited to a set number of articles that can be accepted. All papers that reviewers identify as meeting all of the criteria for quality, content, relevance, utility, accuracy, and grammatical correctness can be accepted.
  
• A major goal of the VISTAS program is to provide a database of practical resources written by counselors for counselors. Therefore, preference is given to peer-to-peer, how-to-do-it articles and research studies that include a strong “implications/recommendations” section.
  
• Each year VISTAS authors are honored at a by-invitation-only VISTAS Authors’ Reception at the ACA Conference where they have an opportunity to meet and be recognized for their contributions by ACA staff and current officers.

Accessing the VISTAS Database:

VISTAS is an ACA member benefit that can be accessed through the ACA web site. Scroll down to the “LIBRARY” box on the lower left side of ACA’s home page (www.counseling.org). When you click on the box, you will be asked to enter your ACA username and password. Follow the guidelines provided to conduct your search. VISTAS articles can also be found by clicking on “VISTAS Online” under “Other Links.”

Becoming a VISTAS Author:

Writing for VISTAS offers you:

• An opportunity to acquire a peer reviewed/refereed publication for your professional vita – an essential for promotion and merit increases. A fast turnaround time for disseminating the outcomes of your research and experience to other counseling professionals.

• Flexibility in writing style and format.

• An opportunity to be included in ACA’s professional counseling online library – the largest and most up-to-date database of counseling resources available.

• An ideal venue for counselor educators to introduce graduate students to the process of preparing and submitting articles for professional publication.

• An excellent means for assuring that the knowledge and resources you have presented at a conference reach an audience far beyond those who were able to attend your program.

• An invitation to the highly popular “by-invitation-only” VISTAS Authors’ Reception at the annual ACA Conference.

Specific guidelines for preparing and submitting articles can be accessed at http://counselingoutfitters.com/outfitters/VISTAS_Author_Guidelines.htm

The majority of VISTAS articles are based on programs presented at national ACA or ACA Division conferences. However, this is no longer a requirement. If you have developed a practice or program that works for a particular population or have conducted research that has practical implications, we strongly urge you to prepare and submit a VISTAS paper so that you can share your knowledge and resources with others.

Submissions are reviewed each November for input into the following year’s volume of VISTAS. The deadline for submission is always November 1st.