How to Become a Counselor

Definition of counselor.

A person who gives advice or counseling a marriage counselor.

Lawyer specifically; One that gives advice in law and manages cases for clients in court The defendant conferred with his counselor.

Role of Counselor

Counselors offer guidance to individuals, couples, families and groups who are dealing with issues that affect their mental health and well-being. Many counselors approach their work holistically, using a “wellness” model (as opposed to an “illness” one) which highlights and encourages client’s strengths.

Common Types of Counselors

• Marriage and family counseling.
• Guidance and career counseling.
• Rehabilitation counseling.
• Mental health counseling.
• Substance abuse counseling.
• Educational Counseling.

To be effective in their roles, counselors should enjoy helping others and possess specific attributes and skills.

• Communication Skills. Effective counselors should have excellent communication skills.
• Acceptance.
• Empathy.
• Problem-Solving Skills.
• Rapport-Building Skills.
• Flexibility.
• Self-Awareness.
• Multicultural Competency.

Where do counselors usually work?

Settings in which a counseling professional may work include private practice, community settings, the legal system, group homes, long-term care facilities, short-term care facilities, in advocacy roles, and in the educational system.

How do you become a counselor?

These six tips will help you begin to understand the value of the client and counselor bond so that you can implement them in your own practices.

1. Make Sure the Focus is on the Client.
2. Walk the Line between Pushy and Coddling.
3. Stay Confidential.
4. Ask for Clarification.
5. Practice Your Questions.
6. Structure the Session.

The core counselling skills are described below.

• Attending.
• Silence.
• Reflecting and Paraphrasing.
• Clarifying and the Use of Questions.
• Focusing.
• Building Rapport.
• Summarizing.
• Immediacy.

Guidance Counselor Responsibilities:

Conduct individual and group counseling sessions to advise and assist students with academic and vocational development. Evaluate students’ attributes and assist them in realizing their objectives. Develop and implement counseling strategies with contemporary methods of mentoring.

But many of us don’t approach therapy with the same expectations. The truth about therapy is that it really works. Scientific studies consistently show that behavioral and emotional interventions work as well, if not better, than medication to treat anxiety, depression, and mental health issues like OCD.

How long does it take to become a counselor?

Depending upon your level of dedication, the education necessary to work as a mental health counselor can take the following time to complete: Four-years in a bachelor’s degree in psychology, education or other field. One-two years in a master’s degree program. Programs may require a one-year internship.

If you want to know how you can be a counselor without a college degree, you may want to look into addiction counseling. Some states allow people with a high school diploma and a combination of field experience or certification to become licensed to work as a counselor with alcohol and drug abuse.

If you want to know how you can be a counselor without a college degree, you may want to look into addiction counseling. Some states allow people with a high school diploma and a combination of field experience or certification to become licensed to work as a counselor with alcohol and drug abuse.

Steps to Become a Counselor

1. Earn an Accredited Bachelors Degree. …
2. Earn an Accredited Master’s Degree in Counseling. …
3. Take the Exam. …
4. Choose an internship or practicum. …
5. Choose Your Counseling Specialty. …
6. Continue Your Counseling Education. …
7. Get a Doctoral Degree.

In general, most school counselors begin their careers with a bachelor’s degree in areas such as counseling, education, or psychology. When pursuing a school counseling career, you’ll most likely also be required to earn at least a master’s degree in school counseling or education psychology.

Here are the best student counseling graduate programs

• University of Maryland
• University of Florida.
• University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
• University of Georgia.
• Pennsylvania State University-University Park.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• University of Missouri.

Here is the top list for psychology grad schools for 2017, which is the last time the survey was conducted:

• Stanford University.
• University of California–Berkeley.
• Harvard University.
• University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA).
• University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.
• Yale University.
• University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign.