Becoming a counselor allows you to make a real impact in your community through direct action in individual lives.
Although discussions with family and friends might be important and readily available for some, licensed counselors are professionally trained to listen to an individual’s issues, provide guidance, and offer clarity in otherwise difficult situations.
Counseling as a profession requires a great deal of responsibility from practitioners; hence, every counselor must get the appropriate training and certification before they are able to take on patients.
If you are looking to pursue a career in counseling, first learn about the appropriate steps to becoming a licensed and certified counselor.
Keep in mind that there are unique specifications for practicing counseling, depending on the location. This article aims to offer a general guide to becoming a practicing counselor in the United States.
How to become a certified counselor
1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree
Achieving a bachelor’s degree is a required first step in becoming a counselor, as you need an undergraduate degree to apply to graduate schools. This will typically involve four years of online or in-person education.
Your undergraduate degree does not necessarily need to be directly related to counseling or psychology to achieve admission to your master’s program of choice. However, areas such as education, sociology, or psychology can better prepare you for graduate-level counseling education.
It’s always valuable to identify areas of study you’re passionate about during your educational journey—these may lead to a future counseling specialization.
2. Obtain a master’s degree in counseling
Next, you must pursue a master’s degree in counseling. This ensures you have met the necessary qualifications for any future licensure or certifications you may need.
A master’s degree in counseling in addition to a separate certification from the state you wish to practice in is an essential step to becoming a practicing counselor. It’s also crucial that your master’s program is accredited by an official body, such as the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
Some graduate-level counseling programs may allow you to pursue a concentration in a specific form of counseling, such as addiction counseling. You may also be able to specialize in one particular demographic or age group such as adolescents, adults, or family counseling.
3. Complete practicum or internship
A practicum is the practical or hands-on section of fieldwork undertaken during or after educational studies. This is an integral part of becoming a licensed counselor, as state licensures are usually dependent on the amount of clinical fieldwork an aspiring counselor has completed.
Master’s programs often include built-in hours of clinical fieldwork. Depending on your area, these hours may or may not be counted toward a person’s requirement for practicum hours in your state.
Depending on where a person wishes to practice, the required practicum hours could range from 100 to 300. Internship hours may also be required—which involve more in-depth clinical experience. This requirement could average around 600 hours.
Professional counselors typically supervise and monitor practicum and internship hours. It’s important to first research your state or degree program’s fieldwork requirements before applying for licensure.
4. Get a license from your state
After completing all the necessary degree programs and in-the-field experience, you must achieve licensure or certification from the state in which you wish to practice. This often involves passing a state exam.
You may need to do some research to determine exactly what is required to get certified in your chosen state. You must then compile the necessary documents—including education history, proof of practicum and internship experience, and more.
Without a state license or certification, you can’t practice as a counselor. These credentials act as legal proof that you have completed the training and fieldwork required to effectively practice counseling in your state.
After getting a license, you can find a counseling path that works for you or fits your chosen specialty. Licensed counselors may work for the government, in schools, nursing homes, drug and rehabilitation centers, private practices, and more.
5. Increase your knowledge
As a counselor, your education never ends. In fact, you must continuously work to stay up to date with trends in the world of counseling. This ensures you are providing the best possible care and avoiding any outdated techniques and methods.
Continuing education is often required to maintain your credentials as a counselor. These continuing education credits can be achieved through organizations, conferences, webinars, and more. Some counselors may even choose to pursue a doctoral degree—providing the highest level of counseling education.
If you are interested in becoming a licensed counselor, it is vital that you get a master’s degree in counseling first. You can get started by applying at The Chicago School.
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