VISTAS 2011: An Overview

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Guidelines for Submitting Papers for VISTAS 2011
VISTAS 2011 FAQs

Brief Summary of VISTAS’ Development

ACA, in collaboration with Counseling Outfitters, established the VISTAS database in 2004 as a means of capturing 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. As a result, VISTAS Online has now become a major source of counseling information, with an online library that now contains nearly 500 full-text VISTAS articles plus 35 concise, informative ACA Professional Counseling Digests.

Special Features of VISTAS 2011

1. All VISTAS articles will continue to be entered into the ACA online library, accessible to ACA members as a member benefit.
2. The lead author of all papers submitted must be an ACA member.
3. As a “digital publication” with a virtual book cover, table of contents, etc., VISTAS 2011 can be searched, downloaded, and printed in part or in entirety.
4. Competitive selection of articles by a peer review panel of professional leaders, scholars, and subject matter specialists will be continued. The process for selecting papers for VISTAS 2011 meets the established guidelines for peer reviewed/refereed publications.
5. All papers that reviewers identify as meeting all of the criteria for quality, content, relevance, utility, accuracy, and grammatical correctness will be accepted for the VISTAS 2011 digital publication.
6. Papers will no longer need to relate specifically to programs presented at conferences.
7. Papers no longer need to be limited to 3,000 words. However, we strongly recommend limiting the length to 5,000 words.
8. There will be an increased emphasis on “peer-to-peer, how-to-do-it” articles. Research studies will continue to be welcomed; but priority will be given to those studies that include a strong “implications/recommendations” section.
9. There will be a special effort to solicit papers on current, high priority topics, such as:

   a. Social media
   b. Impact of the economy on counseling
   c. Building a part or full time private practice
   d. The impact of deployment on families
   e. Career counseling for returning veterans
   f. Practical applications of the Code of Ethics
   g. Counseling sexual minorities

10. The highly successful “by invitation only” VISTAS Authors Reception at the ACA Conference will be continued.