The Training
An individual who aspires to become a counselor in any area of specialization must undergo thorough amount of education training. Counseling psychologists must be graduates. Although bachelor’s degree programs are important, several states require counselors to have master’s degree programs (Jobs and Job Outlook for Counselors, 2015). Degree programs, for instance, in child abuse counseling teach graduates about protecting children from abuse, how to recognize signs of abuse, methods of counseling and expected challenges during counseling.
Learners must acquire experiences through practicum.
Many organizations also require their counselors to possess a master’s degree or higher programs in counseling with a greater concentration in specialization areas such as child abuse. It is believed that programs in counseling psychology prepare learners to master different techniques used in a professional field such as child abuse counseling. In addition, counseling students must undertake practicum under supervised learning to prepare them for real life situations. Education must ultimately prepare students to work under diverse conditions based on the nature of problems that many psychologists encounter.
Psychology is a dynamic professional that is influenced by discovery of new knowledge and technologies. Counselors, therefore, are required to undergo constant training in order to acquire such knowledge and adapt to changing circumstances within the division of counseling. Training for counselors should also cover core areas such as clinical supervision, which are specific to needs of children for child abuse counselors. During training, counselors acquire other skills to ensure that they can handle diverse challenges they meet on their duties (Helms & Rogers, 2011). Counselors may have gained experiences from their jobs, but they require skills to handle their clients professionally. Moreover, they must observe ethical standards required from counselors, particularly when handling children.
Counselors must get training in professional conducts to understand ethical issues in the field of psychology. At the same time, training will strengthen individual characters and develop strong desires to help others. Training assists counselors to gain trust and confidence and inspire respect from clients and colleagues. It improves teamwork and cooperation within an organization.
Education
An individual who aspires to become a counselor in any area of specialization must undergo through thorough education. Counseling psychologists must be graduates. Although a Bachelor’s degree program is important, several states require counselors to have Master’s degree program (Jobs and Job Outlook for Counselors, 2015). Degree programs, for instance, in child abuse counseling teach students about protecting children from abuse, how to recognize signs of abuse, methods of counseling and expected challenges during counseling.
Learners must acquire experiences through practicum.
Many organizations also require their counselors to possess a master’s degree or higher in counseling with a greater concentration in certain areas such as child abuse. It is believed that programs in counseling psychology prepare learners to master different techniques used in a professional field such as child abuse counseling. In addition, counseling students must undertake practicum under supervised learning to prepare them for real life situations. Education must ultimately prepare students to work under diverse conditions based on the nature of problems that many psychologists encounter.
Although some states accept bachelor’s degree academic qualifications, counselors must specialize in specific areas of counseling (American Counseling Association, 2015). For instance, one may choose to specialize in child abuse counseling. Courses in psychology may be grouped based on their relevance because of the guiding principles of psychology. Counseling psychology recognizes that theory, research and practice are interrelated and support one another. Counseling psychology education programs are formulated to promote professional competency in all interrelated areas and ensure the integrity of the division. Many institutions of higher learning guide their students based on outcomes and other data to ensure that students pursuing advanced education in counseling psychology make the right career decisions (Helms & Rogers, 2011). As a result, graduates may take jobs in different settings such as mental health institutions, centers of learning, counseling centers or engage in independent practices.
Counseling psychology programs strive to show the relevance of focusing on the needs of an increasingly diverse community. Consequently, an integrated education ensures that students have opportunities for such challenges.
Certification or licensure requirements
The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. is responsible for certification of some counselors (National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., 2015). For a counselor to be certified by the board, a master’s degree qualification is mandatory with a specific concentration in the area of interest in counseling and a recognized institution.
Counselors are also required to have a minimum of two years of supervised field experience in a counseling environment. They must also get endorsement from other two professionals, including the most recent supervisor. The board also wants counselors to pass its examination in order to be certified.
National certification, however, is voluntary and is different from state licensing (National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., 2015). In some states, however, once a counselor passes the national examination, state certification is not required. Counselors must accomplish 100 credit hours every five years to ensure that they maintain their certifications (National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., 2015). For individuals specializing, specialty certifications are obtained by passing supplementary examinations.
Counselors must obtain a state license in counseling to allow them to practice. A license is a form of permission for qualified and licensed counselors. While some states require only a single license, others may require more than one. Moreover, states may have different names for their licenses.
Credentials for licensing normally differ from state to state. Generally, there are common names based on the division such as mental health counselor, clinical counselor and career counselor among others. Licenses must be obtained from various regulatory boards in each state (National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., 2015).
The purpose of state licenses is to protect the public by identifying qualified, licensed counselors who can legally use such titles or who can offer their services in a given state. State legislatures are responsible for setting standards for licensing.
Counselors have opportunities to advance their careers in the field. Counselors with higher qualifications may become researchers, educators, administrators or psychologists. While some certifications are voluntary, they are good for career advancement in the field of counseling.
The benefits of majoring in psychology
Majoring in psychology for a career in counseling provides an inclusive approach that ensures that graduates can work in diverse sectors. For instance, many counselors can be found in various fields, including social work, organization and public services (Jobs and Job Outlook for Counselors, 2015). Therefore, counselors must learn different elements of psychology from diverse specialized areas to understand how counseling works. Majoring in psychology for counseling career provides students with a broad educational pathway. As mentioned previously, the field is an inclusive and on this note, several diverse areas of specialization such as career counseling, independent practice, marriage and family therapy among others are available. All these diverse areas rely on core techniques taught in psychology under counseling to explore human mind and behaviors. Graduates learn interpersonal skills and prepare themselves for any kind of job or organization that require counselors.
The common career options, therefore, provide graduates with several areas of specialization. Moreover, the growing number of individuals who require counseling services have increased significantly due demands for counselors in private organizations, health care facilities, public sector and social service bodies.
Majoring in psychology prepares counseling students for a diverse work environment. Counselors may work in different organizations or engage in private practices (Helms & Rogers, 2011). Graduates must be prepared for such diversity and learn interpersonal skills and ethical standards to guide their works.
Majoring in psychology also ensures that graduates understand themselves and their clients. Emotions, minds and behaviors are factors that define people and majoring in psychology is a significant means of understanding them. Graduates, therefore, have greater benefits when they major in psychology to understand fundamental elements that define human.
Graduates who major in psychology also prepare for their areas of specialty. Counseling, for instance, is a specialty area that consists of several other areas of specialization such as child abuse, career and school among others. Graduates have options to specialize in any area when they major in psychology.
Psychology graduates have great opportunities to conduct research and learn about statistics (Helms & Rogers, 2011). These are fundamental techniques found in all scientists. Graduates acquire these research methods when they major in psychology. Finally, majoring in psychology is a great way to pursue further graduate studies in other technical aspects of the discipline or specialty area.
References
American Counseling Association. (2015). Licensure & Certification.
Helms, J. L., & Rogers, D. T. (2011). Majoring in Psychology: Achieving Your Educational and Career Goals. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Jobs and Job Outlook for Counselors. (2015). Career Planner.
National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (2015). Certification.