Journal of the PCA (JPCA)

The Journal of the PCA (JPCA), a biannual publication for professional counselors, is the official, refereed journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. A subscription to the journal is one of the many benefits of PCA membership. Please visit the Membership page to learn more about member benefits and to join. If you are non-PCA member/-JPCA subscriber and would simply like to order an issue of the journal, send a written request, along with a check or money order for $10 made payable to "PA Counseling Assoc.," to PCA, P.O. Box 41118, Pittsburgh, PA 15202.

JPCA received the ACA Best State Branch Journal Award (Small State Branch category) from PCA parent association American Counseling Association at the 2001 ACA Annual Conference in San Antonio. It recognizes JPCA as a significant contributor of scholarly information and research for professional counselors in Pennsylvania and across the U.S.

Call for JPCA Co-Editors and Reviewers

Anyone interested in being a co-editor of JPCA should send a letter-of-interest and a curriculum vitae (CV) to the following: PCA Journal Committee, c/o PCA , PO Box 41118, Pittsburgh, PA 15202. If you are selected for this position, you will be mentored regarding the editorial publication process. This position is a unique opportunity to grow professionally and to contribute meaningfully to the PCA, the professional counseling profession, and the larger mental health field.

JPCA is also in need of additional reviewers. If you are interested in reviewing for JPCA, please send a letter-of-interest and a CV to PCA Journal Committee the same address above. Beyond contributing to JPCA and Pennsylvania professional counselors, reviewing manuscripts for JPCA will greatly enhance your own professional writing ability.

If you have specific questions needing answered about being a JPCA co-editor or reviewer, please e-mail the PCA Journal Committee.

Guidelines for Authors

The JPCA co-editors invite articles which address the interests, theory, scientific research, and innovative programs and practices of the professional counseling profession and the larger mental health field.

Generally, authors may expect a decision regarding a manuscript within eight weeks of acknowledgment of receipt. The following are guidelines for developing and submitting a manuscript.

Specific Requirements

  1. Manuscripts should not exceed 20 pages.
  2. Manuscripts should be typewritten, double-spaced, including references and extensive quotations, on 8½ x 11" non-translucent white bond with 1½" margins on all sides.
  3. The title page should include two elements: title and author affiliation; identify the title page with a running head and the number "1" typed in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
  4. Begin the abstract on a new page, and identify the abstract page with the running head and the number "2" typed in the upper right-hand corner of the page; the abstract should be approximately 125 words.
  5. Begin the text on a new page, and identify the page with the running head and the number "3" typed in the upper right-hand corner of the page; type the title of the text centered at the top of the page, double-spaced, and then type the text; each following page of the text should carry the running head and page number.
  6. Reference style should be that of the APA Publication Manual.
  7. Authors should avoid the use of the generic masculine pronouns and other sexist terminology; see "Gender Equity Guidelines," available from PCA parent associationAmerican Counseling Association.
  8. Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication, authors must provide two hard copies of the manuscript in its final version, as well as a copy on an IBM-compatible 3½" floppy disk or CD-ROM; disks/CD-ROMs are not to be submitted until requested; the disk/CD-ROM must be clearly labeled with the name(s) of the author(s) and the software application (e.g., MS Word, Corel WordPerfect) with which it was written.
  9. Manuscripts will be selected on the basis of a blind review; two or three months should be allowed between acknowledgment of a manuscript and notification of its disposition; all manuscripts become the property of the PCA and will not be considered by JPCA if currently under consideration by other publications.
  10. An electronic copy of the manuscript should be e-mailed to co-editors: Grafton Eliason: eliason@calu.edu and/or Mark Lepore: mlepore@clarion.edu."

For permission to reprint JPCA content consisting of more than 500 words, please e-mail the PCA Main Office at pcainfo@counseling.org, or request it in writing using the following mailing address: PCA, P.O. Box 41118, Pittsburgh, PA 15202.

And for any questions or comments related to JPCA, please contact the PCA Journal Committee.

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