How to Become A Licensed Counselor

Learn the steps to become a licensed counselor. We outline everything you demand to know.

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How to Become A Licensed Counselor

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People who desire to help others tin can pursue various counseling careers. Some counselors work with couples or families. Others assistance clients living with habit. Licensed counselors may work in private exercise or in hospitals or schools.

Counselors need a college degree and strong analytical skills, every bit the career requires reviewing and maintaining paperwork.

This article explains how to become a licensed counselor. Read on for answers to common questions and to learn most counseling specializations and potential careers.

Questions About Counseling Careers

true Q. What is the difference between a counselor and a therapist?

Professionals in both roles try to meliorate clients' mental health through one-on-one and grouping meetings. However, therapists' training lets them offering more interventions, such as therapy sessions.

true Q. What kind of jobs can I get with a degree in counseling?

Degree-holders may work as school counselors or wedlock and family therapists. Graduates with licensure tin can besides work every bit mental wellness counselors and rehabilitation counselors. Some professionals specialize in grief counseling or pediatric counseling.

true Q. What degree practice I need to get a counselor?

Many careers in counseling require a chief's degree. This degree qualifies graduates for licensure. All the same, some states let substance utilize counselors with only a available'southward caste practise.

Q. Are certifications required to be a counselor?

States regulate the counseling profession through licensure. Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and other workers can advance their careers with professional certifications.

How To Become a Licensed Counselor

Licensure requirements vary by career. Schoolhouse and career counselors need a master's degree in counseling or psychology, co-ordinate to the Agency of Labor Statistics (BLS). Licensure candidates complete an internship under the supervision of a licensed professional.

Substance utilise counselors only need a bachelor's caste. Nonetheless, professionals with a private do demand a license. Like schoolhouse and career counselors, rehabilitation counselors need a master's degree.

Prospective counselors tin check with their state's board of licensure for requirements. They may need to complete supervised work experience and pass a criminal groundwork bank check.

Counseling Specializations

The counseling field features many specializations, such every bit families, substance misuse, and grief. Specializations vary by schoolhouse and degree level. Some colleges refer to specializations as concentrations or tracks. Academic coaches and career counselors can assist learners select a specialization, research classes, and meet licensure requirements.

Come across below for popular counseling concentrations. Keep in mind that options vary by school. Students should confirm available concentrations with their prospective school. Caste-seekers can contact a school's admissions department or career heart.

  • Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling

    Marriage, couples, and family counselors help clients develop salubrious relationships with their spouse, children, or parents. Clients may need help dealing with infidelity, sexual corruption, or a family member'southward death. Different therapists, counselors provide fewer services and refer some clients to a psychologist for more than specialized intendance.

    Master's degree-seekers may study topics like couples therapy, theories of marriage and child counseling, and personality theories.

  • Substance Misuse

    People who alive with habit may turn to substance utilize counselors for help. These professionals help clients identify triggers and create sobriety plans. Substance use counselors work in many healthcare settings, prisons, and private practices.

    Students preparing for this career need a primary'south degree. Typical classes include psychopharmacology and addictive disorders. Learners often complete an eight-week practicum and an eight-calendar week internship.

  • Grief

    Mental health counselors may specialize in grief. Grief counselors use their expertise in the grieving process to help clients at different stages. They recommend healthy short- and long-term coping strategies. They likewise pb private and group sessions.

    A typical master's degree in grief counseling features coursework in advanced counseling skills, crisis counseling, and grief and bereavement. Religious-affiliated schools may crave a class in counseling ministry for the bereaved.

What Are the Teaching Requirements for Counseling?

Licensed counselors need a master's degree. Nevertheless, many careers in counseling only crave a bachelor's degree. See beneath for each degree'south bookish requirements and relevant careers. Please note that programs and graduation requirements vary past schoolhouse. Plan websites feature the latest information.

  • Associate

    Associate caste-seekers take major and general education classes. Common classes include introduction to counseling and introduction to psychology. Students can customize their degree with electives. Many graduates utilise their acquaintance degree to transfer to a available'south degree-completion program.

    Associate degree-holders may work as social science research assistants. These workers help professionals with data direction and other tasks.

  • Available's

    Bachelor's caste-seekers take major and general education classes. They likewise take upper-division classes, such as avant-garde counseling theories, family unit dynamics, and multicultural counseling in a various club.

    Some programs feature specializations similar substance misuse counseling. Many programs require a practicum or internship in the 3rd or fourth year. Graduates may piece of work as rehabilitation counselors or enroll in a master's program.

  • Master's

    Many master'due south in counseling programs align with a specialization. For example, aspiring marriage and family therapists have classes in family unit systems and domestic violence. They also study group counseling theories and techniques. The program's 2d yr features iii-4 clinical experiences. These experiences resemble the professional development (PD) licensed counselors take throughout their career.

    Graduates with a license tin can open a private practise or piece of work in another healthcare setting. Professionals wanting to change their specialization can earn a graduate certificate.

  • Doctorate

    Professionals with a doctorate in counseling are experts in their specialization. Nearly doctoral programs include core classes, electives, and a dissertation. A dissertation involves extensive inquiry and writing. Popular topics include crisis intervention, veterans' problems, and beast-assisted therapy.

    Professionals with a Ph.D. in counseling may piece of work as college professors, advanced practitioners, or counselor supervisors. Graduates may also lead an organization's counseling plan.

How Much Does a Counseling Caste Cost?

College costs an average of $35,331 per year, according to EducationData.org. However, costs vary by program, schoolhouse type, and learners' residency status. Students attending public, in-state schools ordinarily pay the most affordable tuition. Private four-year schools accuse an average annual tuition of $35,807. Public 4-year schools cost $ix,349 per twelvemonth on boilerplate for in-state students.

Online learners benefit by not paying for room and lath, meals, and other campus expenses. An online format allows students to enroll in the most affordable plan without relocating. Programs that run asynchronously let students consummate coursework around work and family commitments.

How Much Do Counseling Graduates Brand?

Salary depends on many factors, including employer and geographic location. School and career counselors earn a median of $58,120 annually, according to the BLS. Counselors who work at Thousand-12 schools or educational services companies make more than. School and career counselors in California, New Bailiwick of jersey, and Virginia earn the most.

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental wellness counselors earn a median $47,660 annually. The highest-paying employers for this career include authorities agencies, hospitals, and private and family services agencies. Counselors in Nevada, Utah, and Alaska earn more than than professionals in other states.

Rehabilitation counselors earn a median $37,530 annually. Those who piece of work at country government agencies earn a median annual salary of $53,210. Rehabilitation counselors in New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Nevada earn the nearly.

Career and Salary Outlook for Counselors

Counseling careers feature many similar responsibilities. Counselors may lead sessions and suggest outside services. Nonetheless, each career requires skills aligned with a specific group's unique needs. These differences affect median annual salary and projected growth rate.

Encounter below for potential counseling careers. The nautical chart includes bacon and projected growth from 2020-2030.

  • Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

    These counselors interview clients to determine underlying issues causing habit, improper behavior, or emotional distress. They employ the information they learn to recommend positive behaviors and outside services. These counselors too work with clients' families and directly outreach programs. Most counselors concord a state-issued license.

  • School and Career Counselors and Advisors

    These counselors and advisors help students earn good grades, improve socialization skills, and plan for life later graduation. They give aptitude assessments, maintain records, and work with learners in minor groups. These professionals likewise written report suspected abuse to law enforcement. Some advisors enter this career afterwards working as Thou-12 educators.

  • Rehabilitation Counselors

    These counselors help clients with mental or concrete disabilities. Interviews and assessments let counselors recommend means clients may alive independently. These professionals tape clients' progress, abet for clients' rights, and network with employers to observe job placements. Rehabilitation counselors tin advance their career by earning certifications.
Salary Potential and Growth Rate
Career Median Annual Bacon Projected Growth Charge per unit (2020-2030)
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $47,660 23%
School and Career Counselors and Advisors $58,120 xi%
Rehabilitation Counselors $37,530 10%

Source: BLS

Certifications and Licensure for Counseling

Many careers in counseling crave a state-issued license. Licensure requirements vary by land only may include a primary'southward degree and supervised work feel. Licensed and unlicensed counselors can advance their career by earning a professional certification. A certification shows mastery of different skills and may lead to new job opportunities.

Every land uses a board or section to create requirements for LPCs. In some states, such as New York, candidates need a main'southward degree in one of four specializations, such as artistic arts therapy or mental health counseling Other requirements include an internship and supervised work experience afterwards graduation. Some professionals need a master's and a graduate certificate to qualify. The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) awards the CRC certification. Eligibility criteria include a master's or doctorate from an accredited programme, the CRC application, and a passing exam score. The four-hour exam includes 175 multiple-choice questions. The CRCC'due south fifty-question practice exam helps candidates prepare. CRCs tin can maintain their certification by completing 100 professional development hours every 5 years. Some states require school counselors to agree a teaching license. Earning a license involves completing a land-approved instructor-teaching plan. A bachelor's or master'southward degree qualifies graduates for an initial license. Aspiring counselors should enquiry degrees combining teacher and advisor training classes.

Resources for Counseling Majors

This group offers networking and professional evolution opportunities. Members can besides access publications detailing the latest research into counseling all-time practices. The American Psychological Clan (APA) awards programmatic accreditation to the best psychology and counseling programs nationwide. Prospective students can use the organization'southward search tool to detect programs in their area. The APA updates its listing of accredited schools annually. The National Board of Certified Counselors awards the NCC to licensed professionals with at least two years of experience. Other requirements include a colleague's endorsement and a passing exam score. AMHCA offers members career guidance, a individual job lath, and many networking opportunities. Students demand liability insurance for practicums and internships. They can go this insurance through the AMHCA.

Reviewed by:

Portrait of Sarah Holliday, MS

Sarah Holliday, MS

Sarah Holiday has years of experience working with nontraditional and traditional-anile students in diverse areas related to career coaching and training and development. Holliday holds a BA in English language from The University of Maryland, Baltimore Canton, and an MS in instructional design and engineering (training and performance comeback) from Walden University. Holliday is currently working on her doctorate and looks forward to dissertating in the near future.

Sarah Holliday is a paid fellow member of the Reddish Ventures Educational activity freelance review network.

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