Counselor

Answer 1

A counselor is a person who is skilled in the art of listening and in advising accordingly. There are many different types of counselors, ranging from employment counselors and school counselors to counselors who work with criminals or those who are having problems in their marriages.

Accordingly, counselors work from a wide variety of locations. Some of them are found in schools. Some work out of hospitals, while others see patients in office buildings. At times, counselors also travel to see clients.

When embarking upon a counseling career, it’s a good idea to think carefully about what one’s concentration might be. While opportunities in this broad field are expected to remain plentiful over the next few years, substance abuse counselors will most likely be in especially high demand.

Different specialties require different training and educational backgrounds. In order to become a licensed counselor, however, it is necessary to receive a master’s degree. Going on to get a doctorate will open up many more options for career advancement. Another way to enhance one’s opportunities is to receive certification from the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Because there are so many types of counseling jobs out there, there is a wide range when it comes to salary. For instance, youth counselors earn an average of $27,000 a year, while vocational rehabilitation counselors can expect to earn closer to $60,000.

In order to be a counselor, it is best that a person be both empathetic and knowledgeable. This is a position that requires the trust and respect of a patient, and those who want to become counselors should be aware that this does not always come easily. Sometimes the process can take weeks or even months.

Going into counseling is not for the faint of heart, given the emotional involvement that may ensue. It’s important to learn how to become detached enough so that the problems of one’s patients do not begin to have a detrimental effect on one’s personal life. Nonetheless, it’s a deep concern for others that so often drives people to pursue this field, and that is a trait that anyone interested in counseling should hang onto.