NBCC Awards

2026 NBCC Award Winners

The NBCC Awards honor exceptional professionals who are advancing the Counseling profession.

These awards were created for Counselors by Counselors to recognize individuals who exemplify professional excellence in Counseling and whose contributions have significantly helped to expand access to mental health services, strengthen the profession, and promote equity in health and education, advancing Counseling and Counselors domestically and globally.

NBCC is pleased to announce the 2026 award winners.

Research Innovations in Counselor Practice and Counselor Education

Darius Green

PhD, NCC, LPCC

Bowie State University

Innovation in Counselor Education Program Community Engagement

Department of Education and Human Development, Counselor Education Program

Clemson University

Innovation in Counseling Practice and Clinical Service

Monica Band

EdD, NCC, ACS, LPC, CCC, CRC

Mindful Healing Counseling Services

Carlos Castañeda

PhD, NCC, LPC

ThinkAITA

Global Advancement of Counseling: Counselor Education

Silvia Reyes

PhD, NCC, LMHC, QS

IRCEP

Global Advancement of Counseling: Community Capacity

Catherine Mueller-Bell

PhD, LPC

Grand Canyon University

Propelling Mental Health, Powering the Future: School Counseling Award

Marcia James

LCPC

Thornton Fractional South High School, Doctoral Student – Governor’s State University

NBCC Servant Leadership Award

Christopher Townsend

PhD, NCC, LCMHC, LCAS, LCPS, AADC, CCS

University of the Cumberlands

Leadership Excellence for Counselors by Counselors Award

Mark Schwarze

PhD, NCC, LCMHCS, CCS, LCAS

Appalachian State University, NC Board for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors

Advancing Equitable Access to Counseling Award

Ted Remley

PhD, JD, NCC, LPC

University of Holy Cross

Prakash Pradhan

ICAP-I

Medical and Health Professionals Council, Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority

Edil Torres Rivera

PhD, NCC, ACS, LPC

Wichita State University

Join us in celebrating these exceptional individuals and their achievements!

Learn more about our 2026 award recipients in our monthly Visions newsletter and on our YouTube channel.

CCE

NBCCF

EBCC

Reach Out

NBCC
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, North Carolina
27403-3660

336-547-0607 336-547-0017 nbcc@nbcc.org

Quick Links

Ethics Policies and Procedures Career Opportunities at NBCC NBCC Visions Newsletter Policy Library

Legal & Other Information

The information provided by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC) on the nbcc.org website (site) is for general information purposes only. NBCC makes significant efforts to maintain current and accurate information on this site. We are not responsible for any information concerning NBCC or our programs, services, or activities that is published or displayed on any third-party website(s). These websites are maintained by third parties over which we exercise no control, and for which we have no responsibility. Individuals should verify any information obtained from third-party sources by referring to our official site or contacting our customer service team directly.