Counselors are referred to as professionals who provide therapy and rehabilitation services to patients suffering from mental health issues. Making use of multiple counseling techniques, these professionals assist the patients control their emotional thoughts and balance their mental health. They help find solutions to their patients’ problems and improve their circumstances.
Throughout their professional career, they come across many people who have faced multiple major issues like the loss of a loved one, marriage issues, sexual abuse, or any addiction to mention a few. Counselors help in improving the quality of life by handling all such issues. This profession helps create a better society. If you are someone aspiring to be a professional counselor, then here in this guide we have discussed a step-by-step guide to help you become a counselor.
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
To have a solid and firm foundation of knowledge, it is important for students aspiring to be counselors to get their bachelor’s degree first. The degree must be in psychology, human service, social work, or other related fields. Even though it is not a requirement. Based on the school you have studied in, some students are capable of graduating with flying colors in their bachelor’s degree. This helps them provide a way towards multiple counseling master’s programs.
2. Complete a Master’s Degree Program Meeting State Requirements
The second step in becoming a professional counselor is to get a master’s degree. Even though there are multiple kinds of counseling careers ranging from clinical psychology to counseling and even more, it is your choice to decide in which field you want to enroll. The type of degree you must pursue depends on your interest in the type of work you wish to do afterward. If they want to help individuals, couples, or families with day-to-day therapy sessions, a master’s degree in clinical psychology would be the best choice.
3. Take The Exam
Once you are done with your master’s degree, accruing your fieldwork hours, you need to take a licensure exam in your state. In most states, the exam is called NCE (National Counselor Examination). To pass the exam you must prepare for it by taking an online NCE refresher course. Make a proper routine of studying and ace the exam to be called a professional counselor.
4. Apply For And Obtain An Initial License
Aspiring professional counselors would have to obtain their initial license which is different from the independent license. The name for the initial license may vary from state to state. However, this allows the graduate to get the supervision of a licensed independent practitioner in post-graduate practice. Follow the state-specific requirements to apply for and obtain your initial license. The application can also be different in different states.
5. Obtain An Independent Practice License
Once graduates are done with all the required clinical fieldwork hours, as well as any other state-specific requirements, then they become able to apply for and obtain an independent practice license. Moreover, requirements for licensure can also vary by state, therefore, researching the specific state you wish to practice in is critical.