Places You Can Work As a Counselor
Places to work with a Counseling degree can range from high-paying corporate positions to administrative support jobs. There are also many community-based nonprofit agencies and government entities that require counselors. Many private and public schools also hire counselors to help their students deal with personal problems.
Although there are many different kinds of counseling, the most common type is Marriage and Family Counseling. This is a specialized area but requires counseling degrees in addition to other subjects such as psychology, sociology, and other academic courses.
Relationship counseling usually involves helping couples that are struggling with a variety of issues related to love, commitment, family, finances, career, and other topics. Life skills courses, such as exercise, diet, and mental and physical fitness, are also required for this area. Students can expect to work directly with couples that are involved in a committed relationship.
Counselors often work with teens dealing with anxiety disorders, ADD/ADHD, depression, or other psychological disorders. Students should be aware that not all teens suffer from anxiety disorders or other psychological problems. Although some people may be genetically predisposed to the same disorders, the likelihood is that these disorders are not present.
Addiction problems are also handled by Counselors. The behaviors involve substance abuse, alcohol or drug abuse, and illegal drug abuse. Students should be prepared to have an understanding of the medications that are used to treat addiction problems. Student counselors often work with students that are being treated for substance abuse.
Student counselors working in clinical mental health care may work with patients suffering from acute or chronic mental illness. The diagnoses may include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other related disorders. In some cases, the patient may receive therapy after the initial assessment.
Students also will work with individuals dealing with addictions. They may also work with students dealing with behavioral and emotional disorders. Teenagers are often involved in the counseling as well as adults who are dealing with emotional problems.
Counseling opportunities for those with disabilities are available as well. Students may work with patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Such patients usually need both counseling and support groups to learn life skills and cope with life's challenges. Students may work with students in special education classes as well.
Emotional and mental disorders usually require additional training. These disorders are classified as such because of how they affect the lives of patients. People with personality disorders may have problems relating to others and coping with their problems.
Some patients may be in need of medical assistance, such as a wheelchair or sedation. Counselors may help students explore other options that may be appropriate for the patients. Sometimes, the mental and emotional conditions of the patient may make them unsuitable for therapy, so the counselor may recommend alternative treatment or services to the patient.
Therapy for students includes drug and alcohol counseling, and psychotherapy. Many campus counseling sessions feature educational sessions as well as groups that focus on the various issues related to behavioral disorders and counseling issues. Others may be designed specifically for student groups, and students may also meet weekly or biweekly with other students for a specific issue.
Students can opt to complete one or two years of therapy, but sometimes more therapy is required. To be successful in the counseling field, it is important to have a diverse educational background.
The degree program must be adequate in content, requiring students to understand all types of counseling and its related areas. Training can be acquired from training institutions, via correspondence and classroom courses, or in a clinical setting.
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