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Become a Counselor: Counseling Careers, Counseling Degrees

Learn about the various types of counseling specialties and what degree you'll need to become a counselor

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There are many specialty areas in counseling including, mental health counseling, school counseling, community counseling, rehabilitation counseling, substance abuse counseling, guidance counseling, and vocational counseling.

  • Mental Health Counselors help people cope with emotional and mental trauma such as depression, stress, addictions and substance abuse.
  • Rehabilitation Counselors help people deal with the personal, social, and vocational effects of disabilities.
  • School Counselors are trained to facilitate the academic, personal/social, and career development of children and young adults in school settings.

For more information, visit the Counseling and Clinical Psychology career guides.

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Psychologist vs. Counselor

Both psychologists and counselors help people cope with emotional stress, but licensed clinical, counseling, or educational psychologists must have a doctorate in psychology, which requires 5-to-7 years of postgraduate work. More than half of licensed counselors have master's degrees.

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Counselor: Job Description

Counselors generally divide their time between counseling patients, researching mental health issues and analyzing patient conditions. They work with people who are suffering from a wide variety of conditions ranging from career and stress management issues to more serious conditions like chemical addiction and suicidal depression.

Marriage and family therapists use therapeutic techniques to treat individuals, family groups, or couples. They are concerned with modifying behavior and enhancing communication and understanding among all family members. Some MFTs use psychotherapy of a non-medical nature, referring patients to psychiatrists for medication.

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Different Types of Therapists

  • Clinical psychologists (PhD, EdD, or PsyD): Trained in psychological theories and methods.
  • Psychiatrist (MD): Trained medical doctor with a specialty in psychiatry. Emphasis on the biological causes of mental disorders. Treats patients with medication.
  • Psychoanalyst (MD or PhD): Trained in psychoanalysis.
  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW/MSW- MS, MA, PhD): LSWs have supervised internship requirements similar to psychologists.
  • School Psychologist (MA, MS, EdS): Trained in psychology with an education and child development emphasis.
  • Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor (MFT, MFCC- MA, MS): Training in psychology or social work.

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Counselor: Education & Training

Most counselors have a post-bachelor's graduate degree (MA or PhD) from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program. However, some alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) counselors may only need an associate's degree to practice.

Coursework generally includes psychology, sociology, child development, statistics, in addition to research and counseling techniques. After receiving your degree you'll need at least 2 years of clinical training.

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Counselor: Licensing

Most states require licensure or certification. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) grants a general practice credential, National Certified Counselor (NCC), to counselors who have passed their examination, have completed a graduate degree and have 2 years of fieldwork.

Other mental health counselor certification boards grant such titles as Certified Mental Health Counselor (CMHC), Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (NACCMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

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Counselor: Salary Range

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual ranges for counseling salaries vary by specialty and average $25,660 to $58,400. Continue to counseling salary information.

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