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Is Counseling the Career for You?

By Clare Kaufman
Learning & Life Columnist

At some point in our lives, each of us has looked outside ourselves for guidance. Counselors are trained to provide a helping hand to those facing life's greatest challenges, from overcoming grief or trauma to undoing self-destructive habits.

Counselors can reach out to a specific population or develop expertise in one specific field. Specialties include:

• School counseling. Educational counselors support the academic and social development of students, providing guidance in everything from career planning to drug prevention.
• Career or vocational counseling. Career counselors help clients assess their abilities and hone their job search skills.
• Rehabilitation counseling. Rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities to live independently. They work with occupational therapists and employers to define job skills that accommodate each client's unique situations.
• Mental health counseling. Mental health counselors help patients deal with depression, stress management, self-esteem issues, relationship problems, or issues related to aging.
• Substance abuse and behavioral counseling. Behavioral disorder counselors help patients and their loved ones overcome problems related to alcohol and drugs, gambling, or eating disorders.
• Marriage and family therapy. Marriage & family therapists help spouses and family members break down communication barriers, training them to interact in a positive manner and form stronger bonds.

Learning to Listen

Counselors of all stripes face state licensure requirements specific to their area of practice. Typically this entails a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or education, as well as two years of supervised clinical experience. School counselors must have a school counseling certificate, and in some states a teaching certificate as well. Counselor education programs are available online or on campus, through university psychology departments.

Counseling Careers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that counselors can expect faster than average job growth, as people continue to strive for a better standard of living and mental health. Rehabilitation and behavioral disorder counselors should see the most opportunities. Median earnings for school counselors were $45,570 in 2004. Behavioral and mental health counselors earned approximately $32,000. Counselors with private practices reported the highest earnings.

Source

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Counselors"

About the Author
Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer specializing in education and career advice. She has a graduate degree in English.

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