3 answers
Alfonso
Student
1
Question
Updated
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Why did you choose counseling of alcoholic anonymous as a career?
Hello! My name is Alfonso and I am a current high school student. I'm conducting an interview with any professional in counseling for an alcoholic anonymous field for a Foundations in Health Science Class project about careers! I have created a total of 13 questions. Comment on this post, answering all 13 questions to be a part of my assignment.Thank you very much for being part of my assignment.
Why did you choose counseling for an alcoholic anonymous as a career?
How may years of college did you need to go through?
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
I have 10 more questions but we can build our way up a few at a time thank you.
3 answers
Jim Casey
Director of Operations
21
Answers
Hendersonville, Tennessee
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Hey Alfonso!
I think you are curious as to why some people would feel led to help someone with a drinking problem...Alcoholics Anonymous is a "self-help" version...many people come together to help each other in what's been coined the "AA Community". There are many various formats, flavors, and what not to AA. Most importantly, people help each other and have a safe place to gather, have fun, and find support. Some people need more help or seek help in conjunction with AA. That could be from a private therapist or a program that provides more "clinical" assistance. Trained addiction counselors and therapists understand the disease and how to treat it. I went to college first as an accounting major, then as an art major to finally settle on a counseling degree in Alcoholism Sciences. It took me a while. A bachelor's degree takes 4 years in any program. Then if you want "advanced training a Master's program is usually 2-3 years or you could do it 'part-time'...there is no rush. After I found this career path to be challenging and rewarding, I went on to get a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration, to aid in growing new counselors, and managing the program overall as I had been in this path or field of work for a very long time. Some people find they love the role of a helper to someone with a drug or drinking problem...some try it and decide it's not for them. My best would be to seek an opportunity to volunteer or do a practicum at a program or clinic and "sample the experience"...you may love it!
I think you are curious as to why some people would feel led to help someone with a drinking problem...Alcoholics Anonymous is a "self-help" version...many people come together to help each other in what's been coined the "AA Community". There are many various formats, flavors, and what not to AA. Most importantly, people help each other and have a safe place to gather, have fun, and find support. Some people need more help or seek help in conjunction with AA. That could be from a private therapist or a program that provides more "clinical" assistance. Trained addiction counselors and therapists understand the disease and how to treat it. I went to college first as an accounting major, then as an art major to finally settle on a counseling degree in Alcoholism Sciences. It took me a while. A bachelor's degree takes 4 years in any program. Then if you want "advanced training a Master's program is usually 2-3 years or you could do it 'part-time'...there is no rush. After I found this career path to be challenging and rewarding, I went on to get a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration, to aid in growing new counselors, and managing the program overall as I had been in this path or field of work for a very long time. Some people find they love the role of a helper to someone with a drug or drinking problem...some try it and decide it's not for them. My best would be to seek an opportunity to volunteer or do a practicum at a program or clinic and "sample the experience"...you may love it!
Judith-Ann Anderson
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) at AndeersonCounselingTexas( ACT)
106
Answers
Grapevine, Texas
Updated
Judith-Ann’s Answer
Alfonso, your project seems very astute and interesting. I will be glad to answer your questions:
1)Why did you choose counseling for an alcoholic anonymous as a career? Answer: I made a carer choice to be a counselor for mental health. I see many clients with different issues and counseling addiction issues is part of my service. Counseling people who are in recovery for alcohol addiction includes them going to 12 Step Programs in AA which is totally anonymous. I see many clients who are involved in their addiction but need assistance getting to the point where they are able to abstain from alcohol and join an Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Some clients come who are in recovery from their addiction and need emotional therapeutic support and sometimes coaching in living a healthy life which includes finances, relationships, and career.
2)How may years of college did you need to go through? Answer: I received a Master's Degree in Counseling Education. My Bachelors is in Music Education with a Voice major. For me, this was about 6 years.
3)What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job? I worked many jobs before I really got to a place where being a therapist was the best choice for me. These jobs were various such as Associate Dean of Students, Music Teacher, Financial Consultant, and finally being a therapist. Once I decided to pursue the career of therapist, I enrolled in wonderful Seminars, Weekend Retreats, specialization camps in NLP, all the while working part time as a consultant to pay my living expenses as I built my private practice. I worked in cooperation with many season therapists as I built my practice.
I hope these answers give you the information you need and that your project continues to go well. Best of luck to you,Young Man.
1)Why did you choose counseling for an alcoholic anonymous as a career? Answer: I made a carer choice to be a counselor for mental health. I see many clients with different issues and counseling addiction issues is part of my service. Counseling people who are in recovery for alcohol addiction includes them going to 12 Step Programs in AA which is totally anonymous. I see many clients who are involved in their addiction but need assistance getting to the point where they are able to abstain from alcohol and join an Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Some clients come who are in recovery from their addiction and need emotional therapeutic support and sometimes coaching in living a healthy life which includes finances, relationships, and career.
2)How may years of college did you need to go through? Answer: I received a Master's Degree in Counseling Education. My Bachelors is in Music Education with a Voice major. For me, this was about 6 years.
3)What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job? I worked many jobs before I really got to a place where being a therapist was the best choice for me. These jobs were various such as Associate Dean of Students, Music Teacher, Financial Consultant, and finally being a therapist. Once I decided to pursue the career of therapist, I enrolled in wonderful Seminars, Weekend Retreats, specialization camps in NLP, all the while working part time as a consultant to pay my living expenses as I built my private practice. I worked in cooperation with many season therapists as I built my practice.
I hope these answers give you the information you need and that your project continues to go well. Best of luck to you,Young Man.
Margaret Herring
Mental Health Program Manager and Team Lead
19
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Margaret’s Answer
Why did you choose counseling for an alcoholic anonymous as a career?
It's important to be clear about what AA is - Alcoholics Anonymous is a community support group, a is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. So I think your question might be how did I choose a career in counseling clients with an alcohol use disorder. I am a licensed clinical addiction specialist and I chose this because I wanted to help adolescents who were struggling with substance use disorders. I wanted to help people get into recovery, however that looks like for them.
How may years of college did you need to go through? 6.5 - 4 Bachelor's, 2.5 Master's
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job? Volunteer Coordinator at a Rape Crisis Center, Adolescent Crisis Counselor
It's important to be clear about what AA is - Alcoholics Anonymous is a community support group, a is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. So I think your question might be how did I choose a career in counseling clients with an alcohol use disorder. I am a licensed clinical addiction specialist and I chose this because I wanted to help adolescents who were struggling with substance use disorders. I wanted to help people get into recovery, however that looks like for them.
How may years of college did you need to go through? 6.5 - 4 Bachelor's, 2.5 Master's
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job? Volunteer Coordinator at a Rape Crisis Center, Adolescent Crisis Counselor
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