What courses should I take if I want to go into counseling?

If you are expressing an interest in field of counseling, the courses that you can benefit in taking are: human behavior; psychology courses; individual counseling; group counseling; counseling theories; counseling methods; marriage and family therapy; diagnosis & assessment; ethics and legal issues in counseling; cultural diversity; research methods in counseling; substance abuse; counseling interviewing; outreach & advocacy; adult/child counseling; mental health counseling; psychopharmacology; and crisis ; trauma counseling; and foundations.of counseling. In addition, there are some elective courses that you can take such as career counseling; human sexuality; public speaking and etc. These courses are for the general counseling program. You would have to think about what type of counseling that you would like to do in your professional career. Please do the following: Think, explore, evaluate; and consider all of your options and opportunities in the counseling field.

Step 1: Complete a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral, social science, or psychology field.

Because a master’s degree is a requirement for licensure as a mental health counselor, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in counseling related fields sets the groundwork for graduate studies in counseling. Coursework for undergraduate studies in these fields will typically include the evaluation of human development, counseling skills and foundation, introduction to psychology, and/or basic approaches to counseling/therapy.

Step 2: Earn a master’s degree in mental health counseling.

There are many CACREP accredited universities that offer studies specifically in mental health counseling. Obtaining your graduate degree in mental health counseling is a requirement for practice as a licensed professional mental health counselor.

Step 3: Complete graduate and postgraduate internship experience for certification/licensure requirements.

As a crucial aspect of accredited counseling master’s programs, graduate supervised counseling experience allows students to dive into their future role as a licensed professional mental health counselor, gaining hands-on experience under licensed professional counselors.

Step 4: Pass any required counseling exams for licensure.

Some states and/or counseling programs require the passing of a nationalexam" style="color: rgb(34, 120, 181);" target="_blank">recognized counseling examination for gradation or licensure such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and/or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

Step 5: Apply for and earn additional mental health certifications.

Licensed professional counselors can pursue a certification" style="color: rgb(34, 120, 181);" target="_blank">national certification through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Mental health counselors can also pursue specializations in grief, pastoral, school-based mental health counseling, or other mental health challenges, concerns, or disorders.

Step 6: Continue your education and stay up to date on mental health counseling trends and changes.

Continuing education is imperative to maintaining professional counseling licensure and keeping in the know on changes, updates, and movements in trends on mental health care, counseling, and client advocacy.