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Counseling for Katrina Victims at a Premium

By Kelly Richardson
Learning & Life Columnist

The environmental disaster that was wrought by Hurricane Katrina left thousands of New Orleans residents dead or injured and millions displaced. Long after the clean up, the mental effects of the crisis will remain with victims, requiring professional counseling from certified degree holders.

Even before this historic storm struck the mainland, disaster relief organizations were mobilizing their counseling professionals is preparation. The after-effects of a crisis of this magnitude are well documented and profound.

Victims can expect long days and nights of recovery, both physically and emotionally. The stages of suffering must be handled delicately to ensure that patients are able to cope with the entire range of confusing feelings. But there are simply not enough resources to satisfy this growing need.

Disaster Counseling

• Dealing with Death: The first counseling need for Katrina victims will be helping victims cope with the death and disappearance of family members.
• Survival: The next hurdle is reassuring the residents of the storm-damaged state that relief is coming and that they will be able to persevere in such dire circumstances.
• Rebuilding: Counseling efforts have been shown to be invaluable in the rebuilding process. State residents must be provided with quality emotional support if they are going to get their lives back in order.

There has never been a more critical time of need for the counseling profession than right now. Maybe you have been toying with the idea of a counseling career. After the appropriate training, you can use your degree to make a real difference in the lives of people who need it. An online degree program will give you the skills you need to be a success in this vital socially conscious career.

Online Counseling Degree Program

• Training and Requirements: A four-year bachelor's degree in psychology or education qualifies you to work as a counselling aide, rehabilitation aide, or social service worker. The completion of a master's degree is usually required become a licensed or certified counsellor.
• Career Outlook: Because disasters like Katrina and other difficult situations are a natural part of life, your counseling career will continue to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster growth than average for this field.
• Environment: Counseling degree programs are available on college campuses and online.

Sources:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in a variety of respected educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.

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