Counselors help individuals make sense of their challenges. They lend a listening ear, make individuals feel heard, help them navigate troubling issues, and, most importantly, help them get through it and improve their lives.
There are several different fields of counseling, but one particular thing to note is that all counseling disciplines are thriving. As we’ll see later on the page, the projections for this field are extremely positive, and salary/growth opportunities are abundant.
Individuals who would like to enter the field will be glad that the guide on this page explores everything they need to know to start their journeys properly. We explore, among other things, the various fields of counseling, how to start a career, possible licensure and certification options, and projections across the coming decades.
What is Counseling?
There are various fields of counseling, all of which have their focus and concentrations. For instance, while substance abuse counselors provide support for individuals going through issues relating to substance abuse, mental health counselors evaluate and develop treatment goals for individuals with mental health challenges.
School counselors help students improve their social and academic skills and plan for life after graduation. Other fields of counseling include rehabilitation counseling, crisis or grief counseling, marriage and family counseling, and veterans counseling.
There are natural intersections within these fields; they all require a zeal for helping people and making a lasting impact.
As for their work environments, it is common to find counselors working in outpatient centers, offices of health practitioners, hospitals, schools, and substance abuse facilities, among others.
How to Become a Counselor
The following are the necessary steps to become a counselor.
Step 1: Cultivate Transferable Skills
A great deal of a counselor’s job description is listening. Even though candidates will have to receive technical training to start their counseling careers, it is never too early to cultivate transferable skills such as effective listening and communication.
Prospective counselors must also be good problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and have a great deal of empathy.
Step 2: Earning a Master’s Degree
In most states, a master’s degree is the fundamental educational requirement to become a counselor. Students who wish to enter this profession may pursue various relevant programs, including a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology.
They may also consider other related fields, such as clinical psychology, human services, and social work. A degree in any of these fields will be enough to help students not only build the expertise needed to carry out their duties at a high level but also meet licensure requirements and set themselves up for career growth.
Step 3: Supervised Experience
Most states require aspiring psychologists to complete a supervised internship before they start their careers. The same goes for counseling and counseling psychology students, who are also held to a similar standard.
In most states, the supervised experience requirement is split into two categories: internship and post-degree. Simply put, candidates are expected to complete some hours of experience while they are still in a program through an internship and then acquire more experience after they’ve been awarded their degrees.
The specific duration varies from state to state.
Step 4: Career Growth
A counselor can facilitate career growth in several ways, one of which is by earning additional certifications.
The certification a counselor will earn to facilitate career growth will depend on their sub-discipline. For instance, there are several highly-rated credentials for marriage and family therapists, school counselors, and substance abuse counselors.
The American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association have several options for students to consider.
Another approach to facilitating career growth as a counselor is continuing education. Having a credential helps candidates achieve this as well, as most organizations encourage counselors to participate in courses to improve themselves while being able to network with fellow professionals.
Counseling Licensure & Certification Requirements
The licensure requirements for counselors will depend on several factors, including their specific states within the country and concentrations within the field. However, a Master’s degree is usually the basic educational requirement to qualify for a counseling license.
As mentioned above, those who have met the basic educational requirements may receive job training, build up their experience, and officially apply for a license.
Applicants should be prepared to pass an examination along the way. A common exam for counselors is the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Some states will also have their specific examinations in conjunction with national ones.
Lastly, earning a counselor license tends to incur fees ranging from exam registration and licensing to renewal.
Counseling Salary & Career Outlook
The annual average salary for counselors depends on various factors, including their work environment, specific disciplines within the field, location, and experience level. Generally, the annual median salary for professionals in substance abuse, mental health counseling, and behavioral disorders was around $53,710 in May 2023.
This is according to data revealed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data also showed that candidates who were among the lowest 10% in the field still managed an annual average salary of $36,700. Those among the highest-paid 10% in the field managed an annual average salary of $89,920.
Regarding their work environment, counselors in state, local, and private hospitals earned an annual average salary of $59,090; those in health practitioners’ offices earned an annual average salary of $55,410; and those in outpatient centers earned an annual average salary of $51,130.
Job Outlook
Numerous employment platforms across the country project positive growth in counseling. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, predicts a 19% growth in the employment of substance abuse and mental health counselors from 2023 to 2033.
This is significantly higher than the average for other occupations.
According to this projection, about 48,900 new openings will emerge in various specialties annually over the coming decade.
