Counseling 9000 Human Services subject sub_topic A degree in counseling prepares an individual to work in the social services industry as a mental health care professional. Usually counselors are provided with a general background of psychology and technique, and are then trained to specialize in a particular branch of counseling, such as family, marriage, corporate, adult, or child counseling. 0 0 0 9500 <ul><li> Counselors dedicate their careers to helping patients make sense of their lives.</li> <li> Most employed counselors are required to have a master's degree.</li> <li> From child to vocational counseling, there are many different specialities in this field.</li> </ul> <p><b>What does it mean to be a counselor?</b></p> <p>Counseling is a profession that aims to help people evaluate and deal with personal, social, academic, and career problems. Specific duties depend on the place of work and the population with which a counselor works. Counselors work in many different environments and can specialize in many different areas. School counselors help students evaluate their abilities, interests, talents, and personality characteristics in order to help them make realistic academic and career goals. Vocational counselors provide career counseling outside of the school setting. Rehabilitation counselors help people deal with and live with the effects of their disabilities. Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors help people who have addictive problems with alcohol, drugs, gambling, and eating disorders. Marriage and family therapists apply techniques to help resolve emotional conflicts in families. A counselor's job can be taxing because they are constantly helping others.</p> <b>What kinds of degrees are needed to become a counselor?</b> <p>All counselors, no matter what their specialty, must be licensed and certified to practice. Requirements typically include the completion of a master's degree in counseling along with 2 years of supervised clinical internship experience. Aspiring counselors should check with state and local governments to determine which requirements apply in their location. Though a master's degree is the norm for counselors, a bachelor's degree often qualifies a person to work as a counseling aide, rehabilitation aide, or social service worker. Counselors can choose to be nationally certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC), which grants national certification to counselors. </p> <b>What career opportunities are available for someone with a degree in counseling?</b> <p>If counseling is something that sounds appealing, it's a great time to get into the field. Job opportunities for counselors are expected to be greater than the number of graduates coming out of counseling programs. Most job availability is in health service agencies, though about one-third of all counselors work for their state or local governments. A growing number of counselors are self-employed because they can now be paid by insurance companies. These private practice counselors usually make a higher salary than those employed by a public agency.</p> <b>How much money does a counselor make?</b> <p>Counseling salaries vary greatly by specialty. The average salary for vocation and school counselors is $45,500 with a range between $26,300 and $72,400. Substance abuse counselors and mental health counselors earn an average of $32,000. Rehabilitation counselors, on average, earn $28,000. Marriage and family therapists earn an average of $39,000 a year. The highest salaries are made by counselors who have their own practice and their own clientele. </p> counseling Counseling Counseling 12000, 9800, 12180, 12150, 9570, 9780 Accredited Human Services Degrees in Counseling, Counseling Schools 1 1