Counselor

What a Counselor Does

Counselors help families, patients and schoolchildren solve issues that are interfering with their success and daily life and development. School counselors work in all levels of schools to help students succeed in school and prepare for college and a career. They make sure that students aren't troubled at home or by bullies and will alert parents or even law enforcement or other social workers if a problem becomes very serious. In high schools, counselors help students prepare for college by sharing resources, writing recommendation letters, and acting as a go-between for students and admissions offices. In rehab centers, counselors help people with disabilities and physical impairments adapt to their new life situation. Other counselors work with mentally ill patients or people with alcohol and drug problems. They work as therapists, design rehabilitation programs, and educate the public on mental illness or substance abuse.

How to Become a Counselor

You will most likely need a master's degree to become a licensed counselor. You can start your career preparation by getting a bachelor's degree in liberal arts or a discipline within liberal arts, like psychology or the social sciences. Tailor your degree so that you take courses in sociology, history, religion, and education. Once you get into graduate school, you can find a counseling program that lets you specialize in the type of counseling you want to do: medical, educational or as a therapist. You'll learn skills in relationships, ethics, personal identity, substance abuse, human development, and more. After graduating, you will also need to become licensed by your state. The kind of license you get will most likely be determined by your specialty, so you will need to check with your state and professional organization.

Career Outlook for Counselors

Counselors work in many industries around the country. The highest group of counselors worked in educational and vocational schools, followed by rehabilitation counselors, mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, and then marriage and family therapists. The overall career outlook for counselors is good: the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects an 18% increase in employment through 2018. Mental health counselors will see the largest increase, at 24%, while substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors will see a 21% increase. Depending on your specialty, your earning potential will vary. School counselors earned a median annual salary of $51,050; substance abuse counselors earned $37,030; mental health counselors earned $36,810; rehabilitation counselors earned $30,930; and marriage and family therapists earned $44,590.