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How can I find the right path to pursue a counseling degree

I am 36 years years old and have always been very interested in human behavior and desire to help others.

psychology career-counseling
Thank you comment icon If you already have a college degree in something, maybe The Townsend Institute would interest you (https://www.cui.edu/townsend). Katherine Avery
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Michael’s Answer

Hi Charlz:

According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935

There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:

- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs

According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:

- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings

While in college, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a psychology career. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences and foreign languages. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.

Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. There are organizations and clubs like the Toastmasters which will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information

When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:

- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral

Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:

https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/

https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships

Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.

Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology and Counseling!
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Velma’s Answer

Ensure that the school you select is certified by the Higher Learning Commission, giving you the liberty to choose each college or university that is best for your Psychology degrees, you will need to complete undergraduate courses for a bachelor's in psychology followed by a master in psychology with a specialization, followed by a PhD or PsyD whichever fits with the specialization of your choice in your master's program. Opting for online learning can be a great alternative if you're unable to attend a conventional college campus. If you decide to go for online education, it's crucial to maintain regular communication with your professors. This way, you'll receive the best possible educational support. Best of luck!
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William’s Answer

Counselling is an advisory role. In your case, you seek for behavioural counselling. These are available in physical healthcare, educational, social support, mental healthcare, sports management, legal and rehabilitation organizations.

Medical Counselling
Educational Counselling
Marriage Counseling
Psychiatric Counselling
Sports Counselling
Reformation Counselling / Rehab
Legal Counselling / Criminal Justice
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Charlz !

Your question is great because going into the counseling field is one of the best career choices you can have.

The first thing that you would need to do is to decide which type of counseling career you would like to pursue. Do you want to advise and guide or do you want to have patients for which you provide therapeutic clinical therapy which is not exactly counseling but more like on a mental health professional level.
The path to the two are different.

If you want to be a Counselor you can expect a college course of six years for obtaining a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree. It doesn't matter when you start and if you already have a Bachelors Degree you can just go for the Masters Degree now. More than a desire to "help others" the underlying drive is more like having a very strong interest in human behavior and in the human condition. No one needs a degree to "help others". If you are interested in psychology and have a specific area that you want to focus on, it would be good to explore that first. You can consider Career Counseling, Couples/Marriage Counseling, Mental Health Counseling and explore any others that you might come across.

If you want to do clinical therapy and work with people that have chronic mental illness, you can consider becoming a Social Worker and that would be a six year course of study with a Bachelors and a Masters Degree. Certification and Licensing apply to some of these careers, too, so you will have to see when you decide on one and what path you should take. It won't be difficult for you to discover the academic path for whatever you choose. Perhaps you just need to become more familiar with the counseling and therapy field.

Once you decide how far you want to take this and which direction after doing some exploring, you can consider a couple of other careers that have no requirement to attend college. You can consider Life Coaching and consider Social Service Case Management. These two positions will greatly depend on what's available in the town you live in.

Life Coaching is not counseling, rather coaching people and helping them create plans for their goals. The thing to keep in mind for Life Coaching is that it is a very expensive service and many times people cannot afford to go to a Life Coach. It is popular in large cities and on the West Coast. Instead of going to a Life Coach, people use their free social services in their community or use their medical insurance for help in addition to therapy as an ongoing patient. The one thing that is good with obtaining a Life Coach certification is that it can boost your chances of obtaining work as a Social Service Case Manager.

Case Management is involved in intensive helping, actually. Usually social service agencies hire a case manager for various types of programs. Case Managers do many, many duties. They can do any type of assistance or help that is within the guidelines of their agency's program. In the forefront for the helping part is housing, benefits, transportation, accompanying to medical appointments, visiting clients when they're in the hospital, helping set up long term care, providing clothing, household goods, arranging legal assistance, general advocacy and
anything that the client may need. There is also a certain amount of situational counseling that you would do but it is not therapy. A certification for Life Coaching could help get your foot in the door for a Case Management job.

My advice is to go to your local newspaper online and read what jobs are available. Then go to the websites of various social service agencies around you and look at their employment section to see what they are hiring for. This may change frequently, so check at least once a week for new jobs. You may be able to obtain a job with a social service agency with just a high school diploma or without a degree in a related field. If you have a degree, return to your college and see if there are services through the career center for alumni.

I advise thinking about this a bit more, explore all possible careers related to what you want to do and then return here to ask specific questions about the career you have chosen. Keep in mind that for any one of these careers, you will have some clients who will not be helped. The good thing is that just you being there will make all the difference in the world. You will learn all of the ins and outs of these fields if you do an academic route and then do hands on volunteer work. That will be the best path for any one of the careers I've mentioned.

Best wishes and keep exploring the many careers that are connected to what you want to do !
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Charlz!

Finding the Right Path to Pursue a Counseling Degree

Pursuing a counseling degree is an admirable goal, especially for someone like you who has a deep interest in human behavior and a desire to help others. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this journey step by step.

1. Self-Assessment

Before diving into academic programs, take some time for self-reflection. Consider the following:

Interests: What specific areas of counseling are you drawn to? This could range from mental health counseling, school counseling, marriage and family therapy, or substance abuse counseling.
Skills: Assess your strengths and weaknesses. Effective counselors often possess strong communication skills, empathy, patience, and problem-solving abilities.
Values: Think about what values are important to you in your work. For example, do you prioritize social justice, community service, or individual empowerment?
2. Research Counseling Fields

Once you’ve assessed yourself, research various fields within counseling:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders.
School Counseling: Works with students in educational settings to address academic and emotional challenges.
Marriage and Family Therapy: Concentrates on relationship dynamics within families.
Substance Abuse Counseling: Aids individuals struggling with addiction.

Understanding these specialties will help you identify which path resonates most with your interests.

3. Educational Requirements

To become a counselor, you’ll typically need at least a master’s degree in counseling or a related field. Here’s how to proceed:

Bachelor’s Degree: If you don’t already have one, consider pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology, social work, or another related field.
Master’s Program: Look for accredited programs that offer degrees specifically in counseling. Ensure they meet the requirements for licensure in your state.
Check if the program includes necessary coursework such as ethics in counseling, human development, and assessment techniques.
Look for programs that offer practical experience through internships or practicum placements.
4. Accreditation and Licensure

Ensure that any program you consider is accredited by relevant bodies such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). After completing your degree:

Licensure Requirements: Each state has its own licensing requirements for counselors. Research what is needed in Georgia (or wherever you plan to practice), which may include:
Completing supervised clinical hours (often around 2 years).
Passing a national exam (like the National Counselor Examination).
5. Gain Experience

Experience is crucial in this field:

Internships/Practicum: Engage in internships during your master’s program to gain hands-on experience.
Volunteering: Consider volunteering at local mental health organizations or community centers to build skills and network.
6. Networking and Professional Development

Building connections can be invaluable:

Join professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) or local chapters where you can meet other professionals.
Attend workshops and conferences to stay updated on best practices and emerging trends in counseling.
7. Continuous Learning

Counseling is an evolving field; therefore:

Stay informed about new research findings by subscribing to relevant journals or attending seminars.
Consider pursuing additional certifications or specializations after obtaining your initial license.
8. Personal Well-being

Finally, remember that working as a counselor can be emotionally taxing:

Engage in self-care practices regularly to maintain your mental health.
Seek supervision or personal therapy if needed; it’s essential for counselors to process their own experiences.

By following these steps diligently, you’ll be well on your way toward achieving your goal of becoming a counselor.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

American Counseling Association
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
National Board for Certified Counselors

God Bless You!
JC.
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Jerome’s Answer

I would start by looking at volunteer opportunities in your community. I would bet you a cup of coffee that you could find a place where you can volunteer and start to have an impact while learning. This also gives you an opportunity to experience the field before fully committing to it.

I have always wanted to train people, but ended up, stuck in sales roles. I realized I could volunteer and train people during non-work hours. I did that for a few years, and it ultimately resulted in me being able to speak at conferences across the country.
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