Counseling Career FAQ!

I found this FAQ on DegreeDirectory.com and thought it would make a great share for anyone interested in or thinking about joining the chemical dependency counseling community! Becoming a counselor is so much faster and easier than it used to be! Your passion to help others fight addiction can be put to use with a chemical dependency counseling degree/certification! Try CentaurUniversity.com"Certified Counselor: Career and Certification FAQs

Would you like to help improve the mental health of children and adults? Does a hospital or community health center sound like an ideal work environment? If so, a career in counseling might be for you. Read on to learn more about what it takes to become a certified counselor.

What Does a Career in Counseling Look Like?

Counselors are licensed mental health professionals who provide services to patients of all ages. In this profession, you can work as a substance abuse counselor to support adults trying to recover from alcohol and drug addiction. You could also become a mental health counselor. teaching families how to cope with the loss of a loved one. As a rehabilitation counselor, on the other hand, you can help people suffering from disease or injury become more independent. You can perform these duties at a hospital, community health organization, school or in private practice.

What Certification Do I Need?

Most states require you to be licensed as a counselor, rather than certified. However, earning the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) could allow you to meet or exceed licensing requirements in some states (www.nbcc.org). Certification requirements include a master's degree in counseling and 3,000 hours of experience. You must also pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Certification is good for five years, after which point you'll need to renew your credential.

What Specialty Certifications Are Available?

If you've already earned your NCC credential, the NBCC offers specialty certifications in clinical and mental health counseling, addictions counseling and school counseling. These voluntary certifications can demonstrate your professionalism to future clients or employers.

What Are My Employment Prospects?

Your salary could depend on your area of specialization. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for rehabilitation counselors was $32,350 in 2010 (www.bls.gov). Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors earned a median salary of $38,120 in the same year, while marriage and family counselors earned $45,720.

Job opportunities for counselors were projected to increase 18% through the 2008-2018 decade. The number of jobs was expected to exceed the number of qualified applicants. Working in rural areas or specializing in substance abuse or mental health counseling could improve your job prospects."

Source: http://degreedirectory.org/articles/Certified_Counselor_Career_and_Certificat...

If you are interested in getting your counselor degree extremely fast to become a chemical dependency counselor, then feel FREE to visit CentaurUniversity.com!