3 answers
Chandler
Student
Palmyra, NE
1
Question
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What are the best places to work for a therapist
#psychology #therapists
I am a 16-year-old Junior in high school and have a serious interest in becoming a child psychologist.
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3 answers
Zahid Iqbal
Software Engineer
119
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Zahid’s Answer
There are many places where you could work with children.
1. Educational System
Primarily helping students to better navigate the stresses of growing up and successfully completing their studies, counselors play an important role at all levels of the school system, such as providing crisis intervention following traumatic or violent occurrences – like the death of a teacher, a gun violence incident, or peer suicide. Although a master's degree is often preferred, some counselors with a bachelor's degree are able to assume positions at a school.
Typically, the higher the degree a counselor possesses, the more job opportunities an individual will encounter regarding the following institutions within the school system:
Elementary and Middle Schools
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), elementary and secondary schools employed 47% of all educational, vocational and schools counselors working in 2012 on the state, local, and private level. In an elementary school, a counselor often works with teachers and parents to evaluate a student's strengths and weaknesses, as well as identify any special needs.
High Schools
A graduate with experience in vocational or career counseling may find a fit at a high school, where they can advise students making future decisions regarding higher education and/or making career plans. Often called guidance counselors, they also assist students with various issues commonly associated with teenagers, which range from self-esteem to behavioral issues to college and/or career planning. In high schools, a degree in counseling can also lead to job positions as academic adviser, career counselor, career services director, and guidance counselor.
Colleges and Universities
The BLS reports 31 percent of school and career counselors are employed at junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools on the state, local, and private level.
Those with a doctoral degree in counseling can teach undergraduate or graduate level studies at a public or private college/university. A director of career counseling with a college or university often holds a Ph.D. related to the field.
Additional work opportunities for counselors with an interest in higher education include:
* Developing curricula for various certificate and degree programs
* Evaluating counseling programs
* Mentoring aspiring counselors
* Writing textbooks
* Pursuing original research
2. Nonprofit or Social Service Agencies
Providing an array of counseling services centered on mental health, rehabilitation, substance abuse, and other areas of social work, counselors with undergraduate and graduate degrees find work at nonprofit or social service agencies. Job candidates with a Ph.D. are qualified to oversee family counseling services for such agencies, including the governmental division of Child and Family Services. Some children come from very disturbed family backgrounds with lot of trauma and would require therapy.
3. Public or Private Practice
A bachelor's degree in counseling allows a graduate to assume the position of an administrative assistant or researcher that works under the direct supervision of a certified psychologist with his or her own practice or business. I would consider this later in the career after you have a Ph.D, opening your own clinic up that caters to children is one way to go. There are many parents who take their children to therapy for one reason or another.
4. Correctional Facilities and/or Prisons
The prison system employs counselors to provide individual and group therapy for individuals who are jailed, or living in a correctional facility. Correctional counselors also help develop a plan of action to assist inmates achieve rehabilitation goals, and prepare them for transitioning back into society after being released from prison. Working with troubled juveniles could be an option here.
5. Refugees
Children in refugee camps or that settle in other nations as refugees often come from war torn countries with a lot of trauma PTSD. There is always a growing need for therapists for those children. The pay may not be great but the gratification and self rewards will be immense.
These are just all options to select from and to give you an idea. Once you start taking classes at college and get more informed about the field, you would have a better idea as to what opportunities you will have and where you want to focus.
1. Educational System
Primarily helping students to better navigate the stresses of growing up and successfully completing their studies, counselors play an important role at all levels of the school system, such as providing crisis intervention following traumatic or violent occurrences – like the death of a teacher, a gun violence incident, or peer suicide. Although a master's degree is often preferred, some counselors with a bachelor's degree are able to assume positions at a school.
Typically, the higher the degree a counselor possesses, the more job opportunities an individual will encounter regarding the following institutions within the school system:
Elementary and Middle Schools
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), elementary and secondary schools employed 47% of all educational, vocational and schools counselors working in 2012 on the state, local, and private level. In an elementary school, a counselor often works with teachers and parents to evaluate a student's strengths and weaknesses, as well as identify any special needs.
High Schools
A graduate with experience in vocational or career counseling may find a fit at a high school, where they can advise students making future decisions regarding higher education and/or making career plans. Often called guidance counselors, they also assist students with various issues commonly associated with teenagers, which range from self-esteem to behavioral issues to college and/or career planning. In high schools, a degree in counseling can also lead to job positions as academic adviser, career counselor, career services director, and guidance counselor.
Colleges and Universities
The BLS reports 31 percent of school and career counselors are employed at junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools on the state, local, and private level.
Those with a doctoral degree in counseling can teach undergraduate or graduate level studies at a public or private college/university. A director of career counseling with a college or university often holds a Ph.D. related to the field.
Additional work opportunities for counselors with an interest in higher education include:
* Developing curricula for various certificate and degree programs
* Evaluating counseling programs
* Mentoring aspiring counselors
* Writing textbooks
* Pursuing original research
2. Nonprofit or Social Service Agencies
Providing an array of counseling services centered on mental health, rehabilitation, substance abuse, and other areas of social work, counselors with undergraduate and graduate degrees find work at nonprofit or social service agencies. Job candidates with a Ph.D. are qualified to oversee family counseling services for such agencies, including the governmental division of Child and Family Services. Some children come from very disturbed family backgrounds with lot of trauma and would require therapy.
3. Public or Private Practice
A bachelor's degree in counseling allows a graduate to assume the position of an administrative assistant or researcher that works under the direct supervision of a certified psychologist with his or her own practice or business. I would consider this later in the career after you have a Ph.D, opening your own clinic up that caters to children is one way to go. There are many parents who take their children to therapy for one reason or another.
4. Correctional Facilities and/or Prisons
The prison system employs counselors to provide individual and group therapy for individuals who are jailed, or living in a correctional facility. Correctional counselors also help develop a plan of action to assist inmates achieve rehabilitation goals, and prepare them for transitioning back into society after being released from prison. Working with troubled juveniles could be an option here.
5. Refugees
Children in refugee camps or that settle in other nations as refugees often come from war torn countries with a lot of trauma PTSD. There is always a growing need for therapists for those children. The pay may not be great but the gratification and self rewards will be immense.
These are just all options to select from and to give you an idea. Once you start taking classes at college and get more informed about the field, you would have a better idea as to what opportunities you will have and where you want to focus.
David Tilli
Psychologist
19
Answers
Levittown, Pennsylvania
Updated
David’s Answer
This would depend on your own interests. You might work in a school or educational setting if you have an interest in education and learning. If you're more interested in clinical or therapeutic work, then a hospital or institutional setting, or outpatient office/clinic might be better for you
. I would suggest starting with general psychology classes, speaking with practitioners or researching various schools and areas of psychology online.
David recommends the following next steps:
Matt Corydon
Sales Compensation Analyst
9
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Matt’s Answer
This may be a super obvious answer but to be a successful child psychologist you are going to need a lot of clients (children). This means you will want to live in a densely populated area to give you as many potential clients as possible. The problem with that is most child psychologists will flock to nations biggest cities as well. If child psychology is what you want to do I would recommend you research what cities are growing the fastest and practice there.