A Message from TACES President: Dr. Matt Simmons

I am humbled and honored to serve as the President of the Tennessee Association of Counselor 

Education and Supervision (TACES) for the 2025-2026 term. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve
and collaborate with counselor educators and supervisors in our great state to enhance effective
counselor development. I am committed to leading through this next year with active collaboration,
integrity, and resource development to continue making TACES stronger.

During this next year, we will:
 Increase Resources for Supervisors: We will aim to promote and create resources through
webinars, workshops, and trainings to help develop effective supervisors. Having high-quality
resources will not only help new and seasoned supervisors but will also promote quality
counselor development.
 Increase Collaboration among Counselor Educators and Supervisors: Whether you are a
counselor educator or a supervisor (education or clinical setting), it is important that we
collaborate on how to effectively develop counselors in our state. This further aids in developing
strong independent practitioners to further help clients.
 Maintain Effective Communication: Maintaining and sustaining communication will be a
priority in strengthening TACES. By keeping lines of communication vibrant and ongoing, we
empower our members to share insights, celebrate successes, and collectively address
challenges. In doing so, we not only reinforce the fabric of our organization but also inspire
innovation and unity throughout our professional community.

I am excited for what we can do together through TACES. I encourage members to connect, share their
ideas, and stay tuned for upcoming updates. Let us collaborate and innovate to strengthen our
community and enhance counselor development.

-Matt

I am honored and excited to introduce myself as the new President of the Tennessee Counseling Association. As we begin this new chapter together, I want to express my deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve such a dedicated and passionate community of professionals.

This year, our focus as a board will center on several key initiatives that I believe will strengthen and sustain our organization for years to come. These include:

• Updating TCA’s bylaws to ensure they reflect our current needs and support our evolving mission.

• Hiring a new Executive Director who will lead with vision and energy, building on the foundation of our past successes.

• Continuing Dr. Carter- Nation's important work in creating a sustainable leadership pipeline—one that reflects the diversity, strength, and talent within our association.

• Supporting Dr. Murphy in the planning and implementation of our annual conference in November—an event that brings us together to learn, connect, and grow. I encourage all of you to register early and stay at the conference hotel to take full advantage of everything this year’s event has to offer.

I am also personally committed to advocacy—not only for our profession but for the clients and communities we serve. I will continue to support Amanda Gienow in her role as Public Policy Chair and work alongside her to elevate our voice at the state level.

I look forward to working with each of you as we grow TCA’s impact, empower future leaders, and ensure our members feel supported and inspired in their work. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I value your insights, ideas, and collaboration as we move forward together.

With appreciation and purpose,

Tiffany Brooks, PhD, LPC, ACS, NCC

TCA President 2025 - 2026

Associate Professor, Lindsey Wilson University