Are you thinking about pursuing a career in professional counseling? The following FAQ provides some basic information to help you start the exploration process.

What education do I need to be a counselor?

Opportunities with a Bachelor in Counseling, Psychology, or a related field are very limited. Individuals with these backgrounds typically work directly under a supervisor often in an "aid" or "technician" type role.

A Masters, Specialist (Masters plus 30 hours), or Doctoral Degree in Counseling or a closely related field is essential to be a professional in full standing. It should be noted that Masters Degree hours in Counseling vary from state to state based upon licensure requirements. For example, most Masters Programs in Missouri are 48 hours. In Kansas, they are usually around 60 hours.

What is Licensure?

Licensure is issued by a state. It defines what one can and can't do in a particular career field and lays out the qualifications needed to practice a profession within that state. In Missouri, Counselors earn the Licensed Professional Counselor designation (LPC). This license allows one to practice as a Counselor (in his or her area(s) of specialization) within the state without supervision.

In Kansas, an individual can become either a Licensed Professional Counselor or a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). However, to practice without supervision in Kansas, one currently needs to acquire the LCPC.

Licensure is earned after a person has obtained a Masters, Specialist, or Doctoral degree in Counseling or a related field and has successfully completed approximately two years of supervised experience under a Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Professional Counselor, Social Worker, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist.

Having a license greatly enhances one's professional opportunities within the field. Without it, options can be fairly limited. However, each state is much like a separate country in that it has its own regulations, requirements, and statutes.
For more details regarding licensure in Missouri, go to http://pr.mo.gov/counselors.asp
For Kansas licensure requirements, go to http://www.ksbsrb.org/

What is certification?

Certification is issued by a non-governmental body, usually a professional organization and obtained by meeting certain criteria set by that organization. It suggests that a counselor has earned a level of professional competency. For example, the National Board of Certified Counselors (in cooperation with the American Counseling Association) issues the National Certified Counselor designation (NCC).

Similarly, the National Career Development Association offers the Master Career Counselor (MCC) and the Master Career Development Professional (MCDP) designations.

However, keep in mind that while certification can further a counselor's growth and development, enhance his/her status within the profession, and help him/her get on preferred provider lists, it is licensure, not certification, which allows one to practice within a particular state. Certification, in and of itself, is of little value without licensure.

What type of work do counselors perform?

While a large number of Counselors work in areas where therapy is the main focus, many others serve primarily as teachers, administrators, or researchers. Even therapists often wear many hats (i.e. teach part-time, supervise counselors-in-training, handle administrative activities, consult, write, etc.). There are opportunities for much variety if one has the energy and inclination.

It should be noted too that there is considerable overlap among the specialty areas described above. Rarely does a Counselor limit himself or herself to working in simply one specialty area. Things in the real world are rarely that "cookie cutter." Many Counselors serve multiple roles with diverse populations as their training permits.

Counseling vs other mental health professions

Essentially there are four main mental health professions-Counseling, Social Work, Psychiatry, and Psychology.

Social Workers serve largely in advocacy and administrative roles. While some do practice therapy, most focus primarily on linking their clients to community resources such as housing, food banks, etc.

They typically earn a Masters in Social Work (MSW). Those that teach usually further their education and obtain either a Ph.D. or Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.). The Social Work profession also has licensure requirements. The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is the most common designation.

Psychiatrists are licensed physicians. Depending upon whether their preparatory background was Allopathic or Osteopathic in emphasis, they earn either a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree.

After completing their general medical school training, they do a residency in Psychiatry. Managed care third party reimbursement plans have often relegated Psychiatrists to primarily a prescribing medications role (although a few still do limited therapy work).

Psychologists, much like Counselors, provide therapeutic and assessment oriented interventions. Similarly too, they attend graduate school and earn Masters and Doctoral Degrees. However, most states require completion of the Doctorate to practice Psychology without supervision.

There are some differences in scope of practice between Psychologists and Counselors and "turf issues" between the two professions remain unresolved in many states. And yet, there is also considerable cooperation among individuals in both fields.

What do Counselors earn?

The answers to these questions vary considerably by city and state, specialty area, and other factors. The political climate can also greatly impact how resources for counseling services are allocated and to what extent.

The U.S. Department of Labor publishes the Occupational Outlook Handbook which provides in-depth information regarding the nature of the work, training, earnings, job prospects, etc. on thousands of careers including Counseling. The information is highly current, updated annually. The online version can be accessed, free of charge, at http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Why join a Professional Organization?

Professional organizations offer Counselors opportunities to network with colleagues, share ideas, meet renowned experts, and keep abreast of current best practices within the field. In Counseling, the largest organization is the American Counseling Association.

Professors are often tied more closely to national organizations which sponsor journals in which many of them publish. By contrast, practitioners tend to identify more with state and local associations since each state has its own scope of practice regulations. However, both groups can and do benefit significantly by belonging to organizations at all levels.