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what educational preparation is needed to become a family counselor?

#psychology #counseling #family-counselor #psychiatry

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pushpa’s Answer

To work as a family therapist, you typically need to:

Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Have a bachelor's degree or significant course work in psychology, sociology, or social work.
Have a master's degree in marriage and family therapy.
In marriage and family therapy programs, you take courses in therapy techniques, human psychological development, social research methods, and statistics. You also learn how to counsel individuals (both adults and children) and families and how to identify specific behaviors and problems. Master's degree programs take two years to complete.
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Saumya’s Answer

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.

Saumya recommends the following next steps:

Check the video here: https://study.com/how_to_become_a_counselor.html .
Check this as well: https://study.com/articles/How_to_Become_a_Licensed_Marriage_and_Family_Therapist.html .
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