As you near the end of your counseling program, you may be nervous about actually stepping into the field. Like any other profession, beginners may initially struggle to find their footing. It takes time, patience and dedication to settle into any career, and you’ll need all the help you can get along the way.
To get started, here are five tips for counselors that will make transitioning from school to the workforce a little less daunting.
5 Tips for Future Counselors, Therapists and Other Mental Health Professionals
Counselors and therapists can enjoy long, meaningful careers as mental health professionals. Relationships with clients can span many years, and the impact that a single counselor can have on a client’s life is often immeasurable.
Starting off on the right foot is crucial to success, however. To begin your journey, consider the following tips for therapists and counselors who are entering the field:
1. Connect With Other Newcomers
Make an effort to connect with other new counselors. You’ll quickly see that you aren’t alone in this adjustment period, and it’ll be cathartic to share your experiences and worries with people who are likely feeling the same things. Join a social network of young counseling professionals if the anonymity puts your mind at ease, or seek out a community in your area. Whichever route you choose, don’t be afraid to lean on your new community for support, and be courteous enough to lend an ear in return.
2. Join Your State Professional Counseling Association
Joining the professional counseling association in the state where you practice offers a host of benefits. In addition to providing networking opportunities, joining a professional association can expose you to new models and methods of practice. Many state counseling associations also offer continuing education opportunities for members in the form of workshops. Additionally, becoming a member of a state association allows you to stay connected to what’s happening locally and keep abreast of the latest laws and regulations governing the counseling profession in your state.
3. Develop a Relationship with Support Staff
If you’re going to work as a school counselor, make it a point to connect with your support staff. School psychologists, nurses, social workers and even teachers will all be able to guide you through your adjustment period by giving you insight into individual students’ personalities and behavior. Collaborate with them to develop and execute valuable programs and intervention plans for students.
4. Keep Learning
If you ever think you have all the answers, that’s when you should start to get worried. Strive to be better no matter how successful you are. Keep a tall stack of journal articles, books and magazines relating to the field to keep abreast of the latest conversations and theories, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Even the most successful counselors consult with their peers.
5. Practice Self-Care
Finally, practice self-care. A tip for counselors that is sometimes overlooked, self-care is vital. Your new profession connects you with many troubled people, some of whom have painful stories to tell. It’s easy to let that darkness creep into your own life and intensify your personal problems, but it’s important to develop resiliency and take care of yourself. Strive to live a healthy, nourished life, so you can give your professional self fully to your clients.
Self-care for counselors can involve various activities, from exercising to spending quality time with friends. The key is to find the self-care routines that meet your needs for rest, rejuvenation, reflection, creativity and social connection.
How to Become a Counselor
Becoming a professional counselor involves many steps, including choosing a specialty, acquiring the corresponding degrees and licenses to work as a counselor, and gaining experience in the field by working with actual clients. Most counseling positions require an advanced degree in a mental health field and a state license to perform therapeutic services. Specific state requirements vary but often include completing 2,000 to 4,000 hours of a supervised clinical experience and passing a licensing exam. Maintaining licensure typically entails a continuing education requirement as well. Specialized areas such as school counseling may also require additional certification.
To become the best counselor you can be, listen to your mentors. Just as each of your clients will have different needs, each new counselor will have a different learning curve.
Start Your Counseling Career at Wake Forest University
Every counselor and therapist deserves a great start to their career. In addition to a proper education and experience in the field to prepare you for your new role, practicing these key tips for counselors can help ensure you enjoy a long, successful career.
Individuals who are interested in counseling should explore Wake Forest University’s online Master of Arts in Counseling program. Its cohort model offers several advantages for busy students, including flexibility, detailed instruction and a convenient library of course material. Explore Wake Forest University and discover the next steps toward a rewarding career in counseling.
Recommended Readings
Family Counselor Salary, Job Description and Requirements
How Family Counselors Teach Communication Skills
Why Become a Family Marriage Counselor?
Sources
Illinois Counseling Association, Why Join a Professional Association
International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, “Dear Mental Health Practitioners, Take Care of Yourselves: A Literature Review on Self-Care”
Lockton Affinity Health, Build a Trusting Counselor Patient Relationship
Positive Psychology, “10 Self-Care Tips for Psychologists, Therapists & Counselors”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors