Counselor Parker CO
Take To Become A Counselor?
To be a licensed Counselor Parker CO you first must earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college. Then, you can enroll in a graduate degree program that focuses solely on counseling, or a professional master's degree program in clinical psychology. After completing a formal education program, you will need to pass the state board exam. If you pass this exam, you will be awarded a license. After that, you can practice privately as long as you maintain a high standard of conduct.
Although most career counselors are employed in a specific practice setting such as a clinic, school, or government agency, there is a growing number who choose to specialize in other areas. While earning a master's degree can give you the tools and experience to enter the field of clinical psychology, a doctorate degree is required for those who want to specialize. A doctorate also allows those who have gained a Master's to take on research-oriented jobs that require them to do even more direct client contact. Counselors with both a Bachelor's and a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology may choose to open their own practices, or they may pursue work in institutions of higher learning.
The American Counseling Association, or AAC, offers several different professional titles which identify their specialization. They are Marriage and Family Therapist, Marriage Counselor, and Mental Health Counselor. In order to earn a doctoral degree, however, a student must complete an original four-year undergraduate course and pass aboards a state board exam. This process will certify Counselor students as professionals. At that point, the Counselor may pursue additional advanced degrees in psychology, human services, or even health counseling.
A doctoral degree level practitioner in mental health counseling is considered to be a Professional Counselor. A few states require that a Counselor graduate earn a Master's or Doctoral degree level before they can practice in this field, but many do not. If you are interested in this type of specialization, it is important to note that licensure and certification vary by state. Counselors with an earned degree level are generally considered to be trained in mental health counseling, but not required to have such credentials.
Becoming a Counselor is not a simple feat, as this profession is considered to be very challenging. A Counselor must earn both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree level in psychology, as well as hold a Master's or Doctoral degree in the field. Those who have earned their Bachelor's degree will have a leg up on other potential candidates since they already have experience working as a licensed mental health counselor.
A Bachelor's degree is required for those wishing to become Licensed Counselors (LCs). Anal Charter will grant an aspiring Counselor the ability to sit for licensing exams after graduation. Once licensed Counselors may include clinical experience, which is much like internship, however, the training is not supervised. Earning your degree on your own may include a supervised internship. Earning your degree through an unsupervised internship is a great option, however, a Counselor should have already completed his or her Master's in order to work as an L Charter holder. The L Charter also does not require any clinical work, however, it is highly recommended.
There are many options available to Counselors, as there are a wide variety of different fields of study. Counselors may choose to specialize in social work, child development, developmental disabilities, or marriage and family counseling, among many others. Most accredited programs require that Counselors complete at least one year of coursework that includes a dissertation. Some programs require two years of coursework; however, more accredited programs require three years of full time study.
Earning your doctoral degree is a time consuming endeavor. It will require you to work in various settings, such as educational facilities, hospitals, and research facilities. This field is filled with professionals who are dedicated to their work, and it is rewarding for those who are able to serve others. A mental health counselor is trained to provide compassionate and professional counseling to those who may have a mental health issue. Your career as a mental health counselor is definitely fulfilling.