BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Counselor
To be a successful Counselor you should...
have a strong interest in helping others; have the ability to inspire respect, trust and confidence; enjoy working independently and as part of a team.
What will my job be like?
Counselors help clients solve personal challenges or conflicts, and general ongoing personal development. They may help families with improving communication and relationships. Mental health counsleors work with clients who struggle with stubstance abuse or other addictions, marital or relationship issues, anxiety, stress, forming or breaking habits and aging.
Specialties
- Alcohol and Drug Prevention Programs
- Employment or Vocational Counseling
- Gerontological Counseling
- Marriage and Family Counseling
- Mental Health Counseling
- Multicultural Counseling
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- School and College Counseling
Where could I work?
Counselors are employed in a variety of settings:
- community mental health centers
- drug rehabilitation centers
- hospitals
- schools
- colleges
- universities.
In addition, master's prepared counselors may work for themselves in private practice. The work week is 40 hours and may inlcude nights or weekends for the convenience of the patients. School counselors work the same hours and months as teachers.
Other workplace settings:
- Hospice Programs
- Nursing Homes
- Halfway Houses
- Residential Care Facilities
- State/Local Goverment Agencies
- Insurance Companies
- Prisons
- Private and Group Practices
- Social Agencies
- Vocational Rehabilitation Centers
Average Annual Salary
$61,710 per year
What is the future of this career?
Employment of school and career counselors and advisors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 29,100 openings for school and career counselors and advisors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Type of Education/Training
Counselors receive their education through academic programs at community colleges, colleges and universities. Most counselors receive a 4-year bachelor's degree plus a graduate degree. There are 2-year associate degrees that offer certification in specialized areas of counseling.
Where could I get the education/training?
- Albertus Magnus College
- Central Connecticut State University
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Fairfield University
- Mitchell College
- Post University
- Quinnipiac University
- Sacred Heart University
- Southern Connecticut State University
- Trinity College
- University of Bridgeport
- University of Connecticut
- University of Hartford
- University of New Haven
- University of St. Joseph
- Wesleyan University
- Western Connecticut State University
- Yale University
Licensing/Certification
Licensure is required in the state of Connecticut. Prerequisite: In addition to an earned Master's degree or Doctoral degree, a counselor must pass NBCC's, NCE or NCMHCE exam, and participate in 3000 hours of postgraduate degree supervised experience in professional counseling, including a minimum of 100 hours of direct supervision by an appropriately licensed individual.
More Information
American Counseling Association
2461 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 300
Alexandria, Va. 22314
800-347-6647
American Mental Health Counselors Association
107 S West Street, Suite 779
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-6002
