The Lay Counselor Academy (LCA) is a 14‑week intensive training program that equips non‑licensed healthcare team members with practical, foundational mental health counseling skills. The Academy is designed for “helping professionals” who do not hold mental health degrees or licenses—people in roles such as care managers, Community Health Workers, resource coordinators, patient navigators, and others who already provide day‑to‑day emotional and practical support to patients.
The LCA provides these staff with concrete skills to offer empathic, structured, and effective support, helping bridge gaps in the mental health system. The LCA was developed by EMorrison Consulting.